Meditation bench

The meditation bench is an alternative to the meditation cushion called zafu.

It allows you to sit with your knees on the floor while the bench supports the body protecting your knees and ankles from its own weight. The posture is induced by a forward tilt of the sitting area which allows a slight forward tilt of the pelvis. Thus, the natural arch of the 5th lumbar vertebra is respected. The posture is vertical and favours meditation and concentration.

 

Which meditation bench for which posture?

There are several models of meditation bench or shoggi. The standard height is 15/16 cm, these meditation benches are suitable for most people who wish to sit on their knees (seiza posture). The benches with a height of 17-18 cm are ideal for tall people or those who wish to relieve more pressure on their legs.

If you travel a lot, a bench that can be folded or dismantled is more interesting. When choosing a first meditation bench, comfort and stability are important.

Curved meditation benches are also used for the cross-legged posture. If you adopt this position during your meditation, we advise you to try a zafu first. Because the zafu connects you completely to the earth.

 

 

Some practical advice

When you settle down to practice meditation on the shoggi bench, choose a quiet place. In the place where you usually sit place a zafuton or meditation mat (the model "light or traveling zafuton" is more suitable) Place the bench on it so that your knees and ankles rest on the zafuton or mat. If possible be careful and place your joints (ankle, knees and pelvis) in the same axis without spreading your knees too far apart. The meditation bench should be placed so that your pelvis and sacrum rest completely on the bench.

When your legs and pelvis are in the correct position, stretch your spine upwards. The lumbar and cervical vertebrae should also remain stretched vertically. When the spine is upright, all the energy of the person is awakened. With practice the back muscles are strengthened and it becomes a habit to keep the back straight. This is an excellent prevention against back pain.

The meditation bench is also used around a coffee table in a living room. It then becomes an object of furniture. It allows to write, to paint, to play chess for example or simply to exchange with close relations while preserving a good vertical posture which supports the clarity of the spirit. Some musicians use a meditation bench to sit comfortably.

 

Manufacturing

We advise you to choose a bench that is manufactured as "locally" as possible. In this way you/we contribute to the support of local crafts and reduce the pollution linked to the transport of goods.