If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best zafu for yoga or meditation is, then I’d recommend the Peace Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow Cushion as the best one.
Yoga and meditation have been around for centuries, although in recent years there has been an upsurge in their popularity.
Reasons why this has occurred are unknown, although many attribute it to people looking for ways to make increasingly hectic and stressful lives more manageable.
Here are the top zafus we’ll be reviewing:
- Seat Of Your Soul Meditation Cushion
- Waterglider International Zafu Yoga Meditation Pillow
- REEHUT Zafu Yoga Meditation Cushion
- Bean Products Zafu Meditation Cushion
- Peace Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow Cushion
Why Yoga?
The true purpose of yoga is to provide a way to elevate the Kundalini energy found at the base of the spine.
This life force energy flows through us daily; the more aligned and attuned we are as a result of practicing yoga postures, the more easily this energy will flow into and through our lives.
Physical postures train the body to move and increase flexibility in beneficial ways, while the mental discipline provided by yoga helps to calm and quiet restless or disturbing thoughts.
At its core, the ultimate goal of yoga is to allow the individual a chance to transcend the “self” and unite spiritual with physical, gaining freedom from all earthly desires.
While many of us don’t achieve this level of freedom and enlightenment, marked mental and physical benefits keep us headed in a forward direction with our practice.
Why Meditation?
Meditation produces powerful mind/body benefits as well.
An overall reduction in strength, greater mental fortitude, an ability to let go of toxic emotional baggage, and more mental clarity are just a few of the changes that you will see with regular practice.
Studies report globally that more and more people are engaged in some sort of meditative practice on a daily basis, and this is changing the very world we live in.
Starting Out on Your Journey
Regardless of age, sex, gender, or even physical condition, it is possible to begin your journey with yoga or meditation—-or perhaps both—-almost immediately.
While some may need modifications or assistive equipment to initially be more comfortable in your practice, rest assured that the use of these may be temporary, and you’ll find your own unique pathway as you become more confident in each of these practices.
What is the Zafu?
Both yoga and meditation use postures that require you to sit on the floor, cross legged and spine straight.
This can be very difficult for some to feel comfortable in this position, and for that reason, the use of a Zafu has become quite common in these postures.
A Zafu is a round cushion with gathered sides; it helps to promote proper spinal alignment by tilting the pelvis forward and making it easier for you to remain erect in a seated position.
The structure of the Zafu is such that it allows your knees to drop below the level of your hips and your thighs resting comfortably off the cushion.
Height of a traditional Zafu is anywhere from 4-8 inches, making seated positions on the floor much more comfortable for many.
Where Did They Come From, Anyway?
The use of Zafus originally began in China; the world “Zafu” means “sewn seat”.
They were originally stuffed with the fluffy soft seed heads from cattails. Other Zafus were filled with kapok, the fluffy seed from the Ceiba tree.
Western Zafu cushions are traditionally stuffed with buckwheat hulls; due to the firmer nature of the hulls, cushions are able to retain their shape while providing seated comfort.
If you are just beginning a yoga or meditation practice, and you find floor seating difficult, it is highly recommended that you try one of these cushions.
How to Choose the Best Zafu
Picking the best Zafu for you is a big deal—it can mean the difference between retaining your practice and dropping it because it seems to difficult.
First time yogis or meditators might be tempted to use a towel or couch cushion to soften the blow to delicate joints, but this is not a long term solution for effective practice.
The best Zafu allows you to maintain proper spinal alignment and prevent injury while remaining comfortable in your seated positions; finding one with the right texture and firmness will do wonders for your effectiveness in any practice you undertake.
Things to Look For in a Zafu
When looking for the best Zafu for you, you’ll need to take some factors into consideration:
It Must be Comfortable.
You are not going to want to continue postures or practice if you can’t stand sitting on what you’ve chosen.
Check for firmness, textures of fabric, and the size of the cushion that you need….all the elements in the making of a transcendent experience.
If you cannot sit in this position provided by the Zafu for an extended period of time, look for another one.
It Must be Affordable.
There are substandard Zafu-imitation cushions out there for $9.95, and there are Cadillac models sold for hundreds or more—which one fits you and your budget?
While you may not be completely satisfied with the results of one of the lower end of the price scale, some cushion is better than nothing; upgrade when you can, and keep looking for the perfect fit.
On the other hand, if you can afford the Cadillac option, by all means, go for it. Your bottom half will thank you.
Consider Color as an Element to Your Practice.
Color plays an important role in the discipline of Feng Shui–the practice of arranging one’s surroundings to create our reality.
The following color chart will help provide some insight for you; choose the colors that work best for you at this point in your life, and seek a cushion that can help you Feng Shui your yoga and meditation space:
- Red–fiery; elevates energy levels
- Violet/Purple: used to restore balance
- Yellow: elevates the mood and helps to clear unwanted thoughts
- Blue: brings and element of calm and helps to promote relaxation
- Black: inspires deep inward focus and discipline
- Orange: inspires both physical and mental healing
- Green: creates harmony and balance; helps to promote deep, relaxed breathing
The Best Way to Use a Zafu
Whenever you are required to hold a seated position in yoga or for meditation, you may use a Zafu for support.
Sit in the center of the mat, legs crossed in front of you, hands resting comfortably on your knees for added support.
The use of the Zafu should help to align your spine, making it easier to hold this position for any length of time.
With practice and consistency, many “students” find this to be a very comfortable position.
Precautions When Using a Zafu
For those with physical limitations or degenerative conditions, the use of a Zafu can be quite intimidating.
Simply getting up off the floor could pose a challenge worthy of an Olympic gold medal.
Make sure that you are able to get down onto the floor and back up again, or at least get support from someone with you if you are unable to do so.
Those with hip and knee issues should be aware that sitting for any length of time could get uncomfortable, as these joints quickly become stiff when they are inactive; do what you can, and do not push yourself past the point where you can comfortably perform positions that pertain to your meditation and yoga practice.
Over time, and with consistency, you’ll see your physical strength and flexibility improve.
Best Zafu options for you
Here are some of our favorites for Zafu cushions; treat that tushy to some of the best ones on the market and see both yoga and meditation practice dramatically improve.
Seat Of Your Soul Meditation Cushion
The Seat Of Your Soul Meditation Cushion is a comfortable and soft cushion features organic, breathable cotton and buckwheat filling for a firm and gentle practice experience.
Extensive testing, research, and customer feedback allowed for superior design and ultimate satisfaction.
Offering a 100 percent money back guarantee, the company allows you to try out their cushion at no risk to you.
Pros:
- Organic, breathable cotton keeps moisture away from skin
- An array of sizes and shapes for all comfort levels
Cons:
- Cotton outer shell may shrink if washed in hot cycle; always use cold
- Some have reported that price is too high
Waterglider International Zafu Yoga Meditation Pillow
The Waterglider International Zafu Yoga Meditation Pillow is fabulous for sitting for extended meditation or yoga sessions.
Soft and familiar buckwheat hulls fill the organic cotton shell, and as it comes in a variety of colors, you’re bound to find one that fits your body and your meditative decor.
Pros:
- Ethically sourced from American farmers
- Great for sound wave therapies
Cons:
- Not machine washable
- Some report that seams rip apart with prolonged usage
REEHUT Zafu Yoga Meditation Cushion
The REEHUT Zafu Yoga Meditation Cushion is an all-purpose cushion was designed for use in many yoga postures and for meditative purposes.
Inner core of supportive buckwheat hulls is locked inside a sealed enclosure to prevent spillage, while three sizes and an adjustable carrying strap make comfort and transport a breeze.
Relieves stress on knee and hip joints and helps to promote proper alignment of the spine.
Pros:
- Cover is easy to remove; machine washable
- Very comfortable, comes in a variety of sizes
Cons:
- Durability can be an issue with prolonged useage
- Color may vary slightly from pictures
Bean Products Zafu Meditation Cushion
The Bean Products Zafu Meditation Cushion is filled cushion works to support all aspects of your practice, including those stubborn joints.
With over 30 years of experience, Bean has the knowledge needed to consistently produce quality products that stand the test of time.
Coming in an array of sizes, styles, and colors for any preference, it has been making transcendence easier, one meditation at a time.
Pros:
- Comes beautifully decorated
- An array of styles, colors, and patterns
Cons:
- Buckwheat filling is prone to bugs and mites infestation
- Buckwheat dust may leak out of the product
Peace Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow Cushion
The Peace Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow Cushion offers the ultimate in firmness and comfort to enhance your practice.
It conforms to the needs of your body, helping to promote healthy spinal alignment and promising comfort for some of those more rigorous sessions.
Coming in several different sizes and colors, it will allow you to pick the one that best suits your needs.
Pros:
- Removable cover is machine washable
- Doubles as a yoga block, as it is nice and firm
Cons:
- Distinctive odor when first unboxed
- May be too firm for some
And the Winner is…
For us, we chose the Peace Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow Cushion as the best zafu on the market for your Yoga practice because of its ability to support you for even the most rigorous of Yoga sessions.
There is no doubt that yoga and meditation offer many benefits; nothing should stand in the way of effective practice, especially not your comfort!
Making sure you are comfortable and supported through your efforts will ensure that you stick with and move through your individual pathway in the most significant and meaningful way possible.
Choosing the best Zafu will help you to create an environment that reduces aches, pains, and discomfort that might take you out of your Zen zone; choose from one of our top rated products or find one that fits your needs, and get on that mat.
