Are you looking to enhance your meditation practice with the perfect zafu? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the top 6 zafus that are designed to provide comfort and support during meditation sessions.
These meditation cushions vary in terms of height, fill, and shape, but each of them will help you maintain proper posture and alignment while meditating. Let’s dive into the world of zafus and discover the best options for your meditation practice.
How to Pick a Meditation Cushion
Meditation cushions, or zafus, are the foundation for a well-supported and comfortable meditation practice. They allow you to sit for longer periods of time with a straight spine and with less strain or pain.
Zafu Filling
Although this list includes zafus with different types of filling, my humble opinion is that you should typically look for a cushion filled with buckwheat hulls because they’re firm enough to avoid sinking into the cushion but still comfortable. You can also remove or add hulls to change the shape, height, or other aspects of your zafu.
Zafu Heights
The height of a meditation cushion is another integral aspect of its design. Just like filling types, heights will differ among cushions, but one with a minimum elevation of 5 inches is ideal to give you enough height to keep your hips elevated above your knees.
This will help you keep your spine straight and allow for deeper, more relaxed breathing. The adaptability of zafus makes them suitable for practitioners of all experience levels, from beginners to long-time meditators, and supports a variety of seated postures.
Enhancing your Meditation Environment
In addition to the physical benefits, the design and materials of zafus can enhance the aesthetic and sensory qualities of your meditation space. From simple, no-frills models to cushions that incorporate elements of aromatherapy, there is a wide range of options available to suit individual preferences and needs.
The outer covers of these cushions, often made from materials like cotton or velvet, add a layer of comfort and can be found in various colors and patterns to complement any meditation environment.
Choosing the right zafu is a step towards creating a meditative experience that is as comfortable as it is profound. With the right cushion, meditators can achieve a state of physical ease that fosters deeper focus, clarity, and tranquility in their practice.
One Final Thought
Meditating is for everyone, in any place, and at any time. That’s the beauty of meditation. You don’t need a meditation cushion to meditate, but it sure does make it more comfortable.
If you can’t afford a meditation cushion or maybe you just don’t want to spend money on meditation out of principle (I sympathize), you can sit on the floor or on the edge of a chair. Otherwise, you can do what I did for years before I bought my own cushion and fold up a throw blanket as many times as you can until it’s the right height and firmness.
Don’t let the purchase of a zafu be an obstacle to your meditation. However, if you feel like one would help you, here are a few suggestions based on my research.
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FelizMax Zafu Buckwheat Meditation Cushion
The FelizMax Zafu Buckwheat Meditation Cushion is a great option for beginner or advanced meditators seeking simplicity without sacrificing quality or comfort.
This cushion has all the essentials: comfort, adjustability, and stability. It stands at 5.5″ tall and 16″x16″ wide. Its buckwheat hull filling allows for customizable firmness and height by adding, removing, or shifting around the hulls, which allows for better posture and increased comfort over long periods of meditation.
Made with a sturdy cotton cover, the FelizMax cushion touts longevity and ease of care. The cover is removable and machine washable. Its simple, nice-looking design allows it to fit well into any meditation space without drawing undue attention to itself.
This cushion’s reasonable price makes it accessible for novices while still meeting the needs of seasoned meditators. In my tests of the cushion, I didn’t find that the budget-friendly price compromised the quality of materials or the meditative experience.
The thoughtful construction of the FelizMax Zafu Buckwheat Meditation Cushion reflects an understanding of the meditator’s basic needs. The downside to this cushion, if I had to choose one and only in comparison to other flashier options on this list, is that it is truly no frills. But does meditation really need frills?
Retrospec Sedona Zafu Meditation Cushion
The crescent-shaped Retrospec Sedona Zafu Meditation Cushion stands out for its simple, ergonomic design that naturally accommodates the curves of your body, providing good support particularly in the hip and lower back areas.
Like the FelizMax zafu, this is another simple design that covers all the basics at a reasonable price point but for those who prefer a crescent shape. Retrospec also has a round version, but I prefer the crescent-shaped version because it is 5.5″ tall versus the round cushion’s height of 4.5″.
Filled with buckwheat hulls, this cushion offers a malleable yet stable platform that conforms to your body’s contours. Similar to the FelizMax, the filling can be removed or added to adjust the cushion’s firmness, tailoring the support to your unique needs and preferences.
This crescent-shaped zafu is a blend of style, ergonomics, and comfort, making it a good choice for meditators seeking a cushion that supports a deeper and more focused practice. Again, this is a no-frills option, but it makes up for it by being the least expensive zafu on the list (at the time of writing).
Its thoughtful construction, including the convenient handle for carrying, allows a meditation experience that is as comfortable as it is profound.
Walden Meditation Cushion and Mat Set
The best contemporary zafu design belongs to the Walden Meditation Cushion and Mat Set, a cushion set that combines aesthetics with practicality to elevate your meditation experience. This set stands apart by offering not just a zafu cushion but also a matching meditation mat, or zabuton, ensuring a cohesive look and feel in your meditation space.
The Walden set caters to those who seek a minimalistic yet sophisticated style in their meditation accessories, making it an excellent choice for modern meditators.
The cushion itself is once again filled with buckwheat hulls, but it adds a memory foam topper to provide a comfortable barrier between your seat and the buckwheat. The meditation mat is also made from memory foam. The meditation cushion has 6″ of height, which is plenty of support to keep your knees and ankles free from discomfort.
Obviously, the big factor in favor of the Walden Set is its deliberately modern design, featuring clean lines and a choice of modern colors. However, the sleek, contemporary design comes with a high price. Consider this your designer-level meditation option.
Whether used in a dedicated meditation room or a small, serene corner of your home, the Walden Set will look good. If you feel the need to splurge, you likely won’t be disappointed.
Secret Garden Velvet Meditation Cushion
Now things start to get a little interesting. Dive into a sensory oasis with the Secret Garden Velvet Meditation Cushion, where comfort meets aromatherapy.
Encased in soft velvet, this unique cushion elevates your meditation practice by integrating the calming effects of lavender directly into your routine. The core is densely packed with buckwheat hulls, but also includes a lavender bag to introduce aromatherapy into your meditation.
The cushion also provides good physical support. The buckwheat-filled cushion stands at 5.9″ tall, providing a stable base to keep your spine straight.
The Secret Garden cushion can be an aesthetic asset to any meditation space. Its luxurious velvet cover, coupled with the gentle release of lavender scent, contributes to a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.
The cons, on the other hand, are that it is slightly more expensive than the other more basic zafus on the list. Practically speaking, you could always buy a less expensive cushion like the FelizMax or the Retrospec cushions and insert a lavender bag into the buckwheat hulls or use a reed diffuser or roll-on essential oils.
Nevertheless, the combination of tactile and olfactory stimulation can help deepen relaxation and mindfulness, making the Secret Garden cushion a nice accessory for anyone looking to enrich their meditation practice.
Mobile Meditator Inflatable Meditation Cushion
A while back, I had an idea for a simple “pop-up” travel meditation cushion that you could easily pack in your suitcase or backpack without taking up much room. To my great pleasure, I never needed to invent it because someone already did the legwork for me.
Now-a-days there are several options out there for inflatable meditation cushions, but I like the Mobile Meditator Inflatable Meditation Cushion for travel because it’s simple and small. Many other options for inflatable cushions are large and unwieldy (which kind of defeats the purpose).
Lightweight and compact when deflated, it fits easily into luggage or a carry-on, ensuring that you can maintain your meditation routine wherever you are in the world.
The Mobile Meditator is also adjustable. You can inflate the cushion to your preferred firmness and height, and it also has three separate air chambers for further flexibility. It has a flocked fabric on the bottom to prevent it from sliding underneath you.
While Mobile Meditator claims to be extra durable thanks to its double-welded seams, I am ever the skeptic. I didn’t test the cushion long enough to determine its durability, but like all plastic inflatable products I suspect it wouldn’t compare to the durability of a traditional zafu made with cotton and buckwheat. It will likely need to be re-inflated regularly as the air slowly escapes over time.
For meditators who prioritize flexibility and mobility in their practice, the Mobile Meditator may be a good option. It certainly has the opportunity to make meditation more comfortable on the go.
InHarmony Meditation Cushion
The InHarmony Meditation Cushion is the ultimate splurge when it comes to zafus. This cushion, if you want to call it that, stands out for its vibroacoustic approach to focused meditation. The cushion vibrates from the sound of its calming meditation music at specified frequencies to bring new depth to your meditation session.
The InHarmony cushion has a nicely hidden control panel in the back of the cushion where you can control the music, volume, and vibration. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth, a headphone jack, and a USB port.
It also pairs with the InHarmony Music Meditation app, which supplies over 100 more music tracks to use with your cushion. The app is easy to use and contains soundtracks of all types and lengths, including binaural beats, tibetan bowl experiences, chakra practices, and many others. To access this music, however, it requires a subscription of $7.99/month or $79.99/year with a 14-day free trial period (at the time of writing).
One obvious drawback to the InHarmony cushion is the high price tag. At $699 (at the time of writing), it is easily the priciest of the options on this list. The space for your legs in the front of the cushion is also rather small, making it difficult to position your knees below your hips. Finally, although it touts its portability, it weighs in at 33 pounds making it difficult to travel with.
Conclusion
There are many options for good zafus. Whether you want something simple and traditional or you want all the bells and whistles, there is something out there for you. My best advice is to experiment, try new things, and be playful with your meditation practice. After all, the meditation journey is about discovering yourself.
By the way, if you’re looking for some advice on a great zabuton, or meditation mat, to go with your zafu, check out our article on the Top 5 Zabutons for Ultimate Meditation Comfort: A Detailed Review.