If you’ve decided to start meditating, you already know that you’ll need comfortable clothes and a comfortable pillow to sit on, but the type of pillow you choose makes a big difference. A standard pillow is a fine option if you are just starting out with meditation. As you meditate for longer it is worth looking into mediation pillow that will raise the hips and will be the right size.
How to use a regular pillow for meditation
Meditation cushions are great for meditation however, if you don’t have one, a regular pillow can be used instead. To use a pillow for meditation, place it on the floor or on a firm surface and sit on it with your legs crossed or in a comfortable position.
The pillow should elevate your hips slightly and allow your spine to be straight. You can adjust the height of the pillow by folding or unfolding it until you find the right level of support. Remember to relax your shoulders and neck and keep your eyes closed or softly focused during your meditation.
10 Tips to use a regular pillow for meditation
If you want to use your regular pillow for meditation, check out my top 10 tips.
- Choose a pillow that is firm enough to provide support, but also comfortable enough to sit on for an extended period.
- Fold the pillow in half to create more height and support for your hips and spine.
- Use the pillow to elevate your hips slightly, allowing your spine to remain straight and aligned.
- Experiment with different positions and heights until you find what works best for you.
- Sit with your legs crossed or in a comfortable position, making sure your knees are lower than your hips.
- Relax your shoulders and keep them away from your ears.
- Close your eyes or focus softly on a point in front of you.
- Breathe deeply and naturally, focusing on your breath as you meditate.
- If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
- When you’re finished meditating, take a moment to stretch your body and release any tension.
If you are keen to try a meditation pillow, check out the benefits below.
Why use a meditation pillow?
Meditation pillows, also called zafus, are specially made for meditation and are both attractive and very reasonably priced. They also support the spine much better than regular pillows and do a better job of elevating the hips.
f you’re going to meditate properly and effectively, you need a good meditation pillow, and below are some of the reasons why.
1. It will improve your posture
With a regular pillow, it’s easy to slip into a posture that is bad for you and isn’t very comfortable. Meditation pillows force you to sit a certain way and make it much easier for your posture to be just right.
The pillows even help you have good posture when you’re not meditating because you’ll get used to having a good posture and won’t like it any other way.
2. It provides more comfort
A regular pillow can become uncomfortable over time, but a pillow made just for meditation doesn’t have that problem. From start to finish, your meditation session will be a lot more comfortable if you choose a meditation pillow over a regular one. If you meditate a lot, your comfort will be very important to you.
3. It can be motivating
With a meditation pillow, your motivation will automatically increase as soon as you sit on it. As soon as you sit down, you’ll know it’s time to start meditating and you’ll get in the right mood a lot faster.
With a regular pillow, this usually doesn’t happen. You’ll know it’s time to meditate, but without the right pillow, it may take you longer to get excited about it.
4. It will help you remain focused
Good meditation requires complete focus, and a meditation pillow helps you get the physical support you need so that you can concentrate and focus better on the meditation itself.
With a meditation pillow, your spine stays straight and this helps your mind to remain clear. Without focus and a clear head, meditation isn’t productive.
5. It is portable
One of the biggest advantages of a meditation pillow is that it is lightweight and portable. You can meditate at home, when you travel, and even in a meditation class while using the same pillow.
Many meditation pillows even come with a handle that makes transporting it from one place to another very simple to do.
6. It Helps You Get the Stability You Need
To meditate successfully, you have to have a stable posture or you’ll start concentrating on your posture more than the meditation itself.
Because of the way it is shaped and its firmness, remaining stable and still as you meditate is very easy with a meditation pillow. They are made this way for a reason, so all you have to do is sit squarely on top of the pillow and the rest of the session is easy.
7. It can help you relieve pain
With a regular pillow, you can experience pain in the lower back and the hip area, especially if you use it on a regular basis. This won’t happen if you use a meditation pillow instead.
It is made with just the right amount of firmness but is soft and comfortable as well. Your body weight is distributed more evenly, which means that there won’t be any pain even if you meditate for a long time.
8. It can increase your blood flow
One of the advantages of a meditation pillow keeping your body better aligned is that you’ll have much better blood flow. This means your sessions will be much more productive because you’ll experience both physical and psychological benefits.
While blood flow is important during meditation, it doesn’t have to be difficult to get if you use a meditation pillow.
9. It creates the best environment for meditation
Having a space just for meditation can greatly improve the sessions’ effectiveness, and the meditation pillow you use is a big part of that. This is easy to do because meditation pillows come in many different designs, sizes, and colors, making it easy to get excited about your own pillow.
Once you get excited about that space you’ve created, it’s easier to look forward to each session.
10. It helps you meditate for longer
The fact that the right meditation pillow keeps you more comfortable much longer means you’ll be able to meditate for as long as you like.
Everyone meditates for different lengths of time, but a good meditation pillow helps your sessions be as long or as short as you like. If you prefer a long session, a good meditation pillow is a must.
Summary
While regular pillows will do for a meditation session, they should be considered temporary. A good meditation pillow is comfortable, will support your body and provide the stability you need to meditate as long as you like.