Thinking of getting a meditation chair? Not sure if it’s right for you? This article is here to help! First of, a meditation chair is one that is designed to support the body and help you maintain proper posture as you sit. Proper posture is key to good practice, but is also something that many beginners struggle to maintain. The difficulty is due to pains in the back and legs, which can be very distracting (not what we want while trying to meditate) and can put many beginners off.
The beautiful and highly sought after Gaiam meditation chair
Clearing your mind of such distractions is not easy. Meditation chairs can help by eliminating the pains, and many beginners in particular rate them very highly.
If you look up some sites, there are bold claims like:
“Discover how you can dramatically transform the quality of your meditating by using a meditation chair”
But how do such claims hold up? Does having a meditation chair really help? Let’s have a look.
What are the benefits of investing in a meditation chair?
There are lots of benefits to consider when thinking of getting yourself one of these. Some of the key benefits are listed below:
- A well-made one will provide ergonomic support. What does this mean? Well your body (and back in particular) should be well supported allowing for painless sitting. Ergonomic means the item is designed to support the body shape and position as you sit. Eliminating the common aches and pains of sitting allows you to focus on your mantra, or whatever method of relaxation you are undertaking. Beginners in particular greatly benefit from not having the distractions of aches when meditating.
- To expand on this point, a chair is much more appealing (especially to beginners) than the floor. You can feel at ease, not having to concern your mind with having correct posture. You can instead focus and concentrate on your meditating. Having a comfortable place to practice your daily routine is key to your getting the most from meditating.
- Beginners find that using a chair allows for the ability to sit for longer with a better quality of their sessions. It is obviously easier to sit in calm when your legs are not cramping underneath you, or your back is not aching!
- Experienced meditators, who have back problems often find that using a chair designed for meditation helps resolve these problems.
A meditation chair can help motivate you!
It’s important to emphasise one of the benefits listed above. This point comes up again and again in reviews. Having a chair for meditation, in its own peaceful little corner, will give some people the motivation they need to carry out their daily practice. It’s there as a constant reminder for people to take time out, to sit and practice as they need. Beginners to the world of meditatng, even though they are fully aware of the benefits of daily practice, often need little excuse not to sit for a while. No better reminder than an inviting space awaiting you in the corner!
Any downsides to using one?
A few of the cons of a meditation chair may involve the following:
- Experienced practitioners may have no need for one! Having trained their bodies for years to sit on the floor, a chair will impart no benefits.
- Some of them can be pricey so make sure it’s for you before you buy.
- Make sure any chair you get provides the correct amount of support. Some cheaper models will give you no benefit by being poorly designed or too flimsy. Likewise some may be too firm and therefore uncomfortable.
What to look for in a meditation chair
There is a wide range of chairs for meditation. Finding one that suits you will involve consideration of the following factors:
- Price. There are chairs to suit all budgets. From cheap little stools to beautiful ergonomic rattan chairs. Set a budget and stick to it, but don’t undersell your needs either.
- Portability. Do you need one that folds up and is light enough to carry about? Need one to take to classes? This can be important for many and there are great options for portable seats available.
- Appearance. Especially if investing in a larger piece of furniture, you will want it to look appealing and esthetically pleasing. Some rattan chairs in particular are really beautiful in this regard.
- Support. Look for a chair that provides just the right amount of support. Not too soft as this will lead to pains and slumped posture, but not so firm as to put you off. (Yes, similar to “Goldilocks and the three bears”!)
Summary: Why might you consider a meditation chair?
If you already know the huge benefits of daily meditating, but are struggling to sit for the required periods of time, then a meditation chair can be of great benefit. It can also be of great help to those who suffer with back problems or other physical issues that prohibit best practice.
If you fit this criteria, consider investing in a meditation chair and you’ll reap the benefits of longer and deeper sessions for years to come.