If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best meditation chair for prolonged sitting is, then I’d recommend the Friends of Meditation Yoga Extra Large Yoga Chair as the best one.
Do you love the peace and comfort you find when meditating, but hate the stiff joints and aching back pain you’re left with? I can relate all too well.
That’s why I set out on the search for the best meditation chair on the market.
Chances are, since you’re reading this, that you’ve found yourself in the same boat.
The good news is that, even in the world of meditation chairs, there’s chocolate and vanilla.
While a chair with good back and hip support is what I’m searching for, you may be more focused on finding an adjustable chair that can double for cat naps.
No matter what you’re in search of, read on to learn which chair is best for you.
Here are the top meditation chairs we’ll be reviewing:
- Friends of Meditation Extra Large Yoga Chair
- Adjustable Floor Chair by NNEWVANTE
- Friends of Meditation Buddha Bliss Yoga and Meditation Chair
- bonVIVO Floor Chair with Adjustable Backrest
- Friends Of Meditation Back Jack Meditation and Yoga Chair
Choosing the Best Meditation Chair for You
I doubt you would have found yourself here if you didn’t already have an inkling that meditation is beneficial to your health.
You may also have realized that you can’t fully benefit from meditating if you are in pain while trying to clear your mind.
What you may not know is that there is a bit more that goes into this whole posture thing than just finding a comfortable position. That is, when it comes to meditating.
The Benefits of Meditation
Meditation benefits far more than your mind. It can be beneficial to your mind, spirit, and your health.
Stress and anxiety reduction
The mindfulness meditation study found that regular meditation reduces the inflammation response that stress causes in so many of us.
Meditation can have such a positive impact on stress and anxiety that it can help ease symptoms of stress-related conditions like fibromyalgia and panic attacks.
Focus and attention
When meditating and focusing on one particular thing, it trains your mind to stay focused.
Think of your attention span as a muscle that’s being stretched, lengthened and strengthened each time you sit down to meditate.
Reductions in memory loss
When pairing chants and gestures with meditation, it strengthens your muscle memory.
The repetition of this act throughout your life can help combat against age-related memory loss as time goes on.
Improved sleep
Meditation helps those struggling with insomnia and sleep apnea, greatly.
Studies show that meditation helps individuals to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Pain management
Since our perception of pain is closely connected to our state of mind, it’s easy to make the connection that having a clear mind can help ease symptoms of pain.
In multiple studies, meditation has shown to decrease patient’s sensitivity to pain and increased their ability to cope with pain.
Decreased blood pressure
Not only can meditation slow down an amped up heart rate, but it has also shown to frequently lower blood pressure by at least five points.
In patients with high blood pressure, the effect is even more significant. That would have been helpful to know all those times that my white coat syndrome was kicking in.
If the health benefits aren’t enough motivation to get you meditating regularly, just think of all of the psychological and spiritual benefits that meditation has.
Did you know that meditation is so powerful that is has the potential to rewire your brain?
Once you realize the full benefits of meditation, that statement isn’t so hard to believe.
Meditation can alter your brain activity by increasing the grey matter and the thickness of the layers of your brain.
Ultimately, the benefits of meditation are far too vast, with many benefits not being fully understood at this juncture in time.
Alas, how beneficial meditation is, is not what is in question here. We’re on the search for the best meditation chair there is to get the job done.
But first, you must ask yourself: why is it so important to have a good meditation chair?
Proper Posture During Meditation
We all know that having good posture is important so that we don’t create back issues such as herniated discs and degenerative spine disease.
However, when meditating, good posture is important for reasons beyond that.
Good posture is important. Keeping the proper posture during meditation will help you stay rooted in the present moment. It also helps bring awareness.
If all else fails, be sure that your spine stays in alignment. This ensures a good energy flow during meditation practices.
Remember, seating positions for meditation are just as vast as the cushions, chairs and benches you can utilize in your practice.
As long as you are benefitting spiritually or emotionally, there is no “wrong” way to meditate.
While some people are most comfortable sitting on a cushion, others feel more connected when kneeling on a bench.
It’s all about what works best for you!
What Qualities do You Want in a Meditation Chair?
There’s no instruction manual on picking the mediation chair that’s right for you. This is precisely what makes it so simple.
If you’re the type who finds joy in shopping, you may even find that the hunt for the best meditation chair makes you downright giddy.
While there is no instruction manual, you want to browse the wide inventory of chairs to find the one that best fits your specific needs.
Do you struggle with back pain when sitting for long periods of time? Then you may want to invest in a chair with the proper back support.
Perhaps you’re like me and often find yourself curled into your meditation nook, dozing off once you’ve cleared all that clutter from your mind.
If you can relate to this all too well, then you’re best bet may be to find that super cozy, oversized lounge chair.
Who knows?
Maybe your inner spirit will thank you once it’s being whisked away to a more comfortable place.
A few other things you may want to consider when shopping around for a mediation chair are:
- Is it durable?
- How stable is it and how much weight can it support?
- Is it worth the price ticket?
- Is it made from harmful products or environmentally friendly products?
- Will it allow you to meditate in the proper position?
- How easy is it to transport?
Best Meditation Chairs Reviewed
When searching for the best meditation chair, there is no clear winner or definitive answer as to which is the best.
The factors that go into making a chair the best are dependent upon which features work best for you.
These products have features ranging from back and hip support to full adjustability to easy transportability.
In the end, I can give you all of the facts that you need, but the decision on which chair is best for you rests on your shoulders.
Friends of Meditation Extra Large Yoga Chair
The Friends of Meditation Yoga Chair was specially designed by an individual who doubles as an Osho meditation facilitator and yoga teacher.
Whether you’ve heard of Swami Dhyan Unmesh, or not, knowing that this product was engineered by an expert should certainly give you peace of mind.
Do you know that old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Well judging from the looks of it, the money you could spend on this meditation chair is well worth the thousand moments of peace and quiet you will find in exchange.
Pros
- Expertly designed with comfort and durability in mind.
- Easily transportable due to how lightweight it is. You can fold it too!
- Detachable zafu cushion prevents leg numbness by raising your hips.
- Detachable back cushion provides lower back support while keeping your neck and spine properly aligned in the correct position.
- Covered by a seven-year warranty.
- Five different color options.
- Several customers rave that this chair is ideal for sitting up to eight hours at a time during Vipassana retreats.
Cons
- The carrying case that it comes with is made of a low-quality fabric and tears easily.
- Even when folded, this chair is too large to pack for air travel.
- Customers over 6’5 or 250 pounds complain that the welding gives or breaks and that the chair does not support their frame.
Adjustable Floor Chair by NNEWVANTE
If you are looking for a fantastic multi-purpose floor chair, then the Adjustable Floor Chair by NNEWVANTE may be a good fit for you.
While some have used this chair for meditating, others have used it for things ranging from playing video games to typing up memos.
As far as meditating goes, this is a fairly basic chair that will offer a bit of back support.
The great thing about this particular seat is that you can adjust it to whatever position suits you. If you suffer from back pain as I do, then you know what a relief this can be!
Pros
- Excellent chair for those living with arthritis, joint or back pain.
- This is more of a universal chair, meaning it can be used for a wide range of things including meditating, playing with grandchildren, or typing at a floor desk.
- The back adjusts into six different positions, ranging from 90 degrees to 180 degrees!
- The compact and foldable frame makes it easy to transport, travel with and store away when not in use.
- Removable cover allows for easy washing.
- Designed with comfortable and durable materials.
- Comes in two different shapes and sizes.
Cons
- Some customers complain that you can feel the metal rods in the back of the chair when leaning back.
- The top seat cushion doesn’t always stay positioned well.
- Some customers complain that the backing comes out of the locked position, on occasion, when leaning back.
Friends of Meditation Buddha Bliss Yoga and Meditation Chair
This is the more compact meditation chair offered by Friends of Meditation.
While the Friends of Meditation Buddha Bliss Yoga and Meditation Chair is compact enough to travel with, it seems that the team wasn’t able to pack comfort into such a small frame.
If you travel often and are of average height and weight, then you’ll likely be a customer who loves this chair due to how convenient it is to travel with.
However, individuals exceeding a certain stature should beware that several Buddha Bliss chairs have been given away after purchase, all because the chair couldn’t support their frame.
Pros
- Designed by a meditation and yoga teacher.
- Comes in three different colors.
- Specially designed to provide lower back support.
- Ideal for sitting in the sukhassana pose.
- Lightweight, foldable and easy to transport.
- Folds down small enough to pack into a suitcase and travel with.
- Covered by a seven-year warranty.
- Removable seat cushion provides hip support. Alternatively, it can be used as a seat extender.
- Comes with a carrying bag.
Cons
- The metal rods are cheaply put together, causing the seat to make a creaking noise when leaning back.
- The cushions, especially the additional seat cushion, are harder than most. Many complain that this makes the chair too uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time.
- The back of the seat remains rigid at a 90-degree angle. It is not adjustable.
- Heavier and taller customers, alike, complain that rather than providing back and neck support, this chair causes pain to both.
bonVIVO Floor Chair with Adjustable Backrest
The bonVIVO Floor Chair with Adjustable Backrest may be the greatest universal chair in the lineup!
Not many meditation chairs are created with style in mind. However, bonVIVO hit it right on the money when they created this stylish design.
Despite all of its glitz and glamour, this meditation chair may be better to keep at home.
Aside from the fact that it’s awkward to tote, you wouldn’t want its loud creaks and strong odor to disrupt others who are trying to find their zen.
Pros
- Designed with comfort and style in mind.
- Fabric is stain-resistant and easy to clean.
- Has a clear support limit of 220 pounds.
- Features a reclining back up to 180-degrees.
- This chair has universal uses. You can use it for far more than meditating.
- Lightweight.
- Comes in two colors.
Cons
- It doesn’t fold in half for storage, travel or carrying purposes.
- This chair isn’t very durable.
- Customers occasionally complain that the metal rods either snap or cause damage to hardwood floors.
- A loud creaking noise can be heard when adjusting the back.
- Many customers complain that there isn’t adequate padding on the bottom cushion.
- The materials this chair consists of carry a strong chemical odor that must be aired out.
Friends Of Meditation Back Jack Meditation and Yoga Chair
This meditation chair is a more buyer friendly version from Friends of Meditation.
The Friends Of Meditation Back Jack Meditation and Yoga Chair is a simple, no frills chair that is ideal for the minimalists of the world.
As this company makes such coveted meditation chairs, this lower end model is far from being a top seller.
One thing customers agree on for sure is that it’s awfully nice to have the option to buy such a large bargain pack.
What’s that old saying again? “Friends that meditate together, stay together”…or something along those lines.
Pros
- Designed by a meditation instructor.
- Comes in varying colors.
- Also available in a bargain pack of two, four or eight.
- Comes with a waterproof carrying bag.
- Features carrying handles.
- Lightweight.
- Ideal for group meditation.
Cons
- Difficult to fold for storage and travel, as it does not naturally fold in half.
- It is not adjustable.
- There is only padding provided for the back cushion. The seat is very flat.
- Some customers complain that this chair further agitates pre-existing back issues.
The Winner Is…
After researching the best meditation chairs on the market, I’ve decided that the Friends of Meditation Extra Large Yoga Chair is the best on the market.
Certainly not for the extensive, mouthful of a name it carries.
This chair comes with a detachable back cushion and a detachable zafu, which is great for the back and hip support I’m looking for.
Aside from being comfortable, it will ensure that my spine stays properly aligned, aiding me on my journey towards enlightenment.
Not only that, but it was designed by an expert, somebody who’s spent plenty of time on the floor meditating.
Who better to create a product for meditators than somebody who has made it their life’s mission to teach others the benefits of meditation?
It’s just a bonus that the company is so customer-focused that they offer a seven-year warranty in case you give your new meditation chair a little too much TLC and find it a bit thread-bare sooner than anticipated.
