Effective Use of a Zafu Cushion

The curved edges of a zafu cushion allow a user’s legs to drop off at the edges at the hip joints so that the knees are lower than the hips. This position makes it easier for the user’s spine to maintain its natural curves. The curved edges of the cushion also keep the thighs from pressing too hard into the cushion’s edge and thereby making the user uncomfortable. A zafu cushion is usually 14 inches wide and 8 inches tall when they are fluffed. It is often sewn with three pieces of cloth that have a zipper to make it easy for a user to remove the cover and to wash it. The zabuton that is usually placed under the zafu is typically 30 inches by 28 inches. Its cover is heavy duty and there is a zipper along the side to enable easy removal and washing. Traditionally, the zafu cushion is placed above the zabuton so that a user’s knees can drop into the softness of the zabuton and so that they elevate the pelvis in the process.

A zafu can be either round or crescent-shaped, but each performs the key function of raising the pelvis above the user’s knees. The traditional zafu makes sure that the pelvis tilts forward, preserving the spine’s natural curve and allowing the knees to face downward. The user can hereafter select the best position to place their legs and also allow the knees to support the body’s weight in a tripod. On the other hand, a crescent zafu cushion enables a user to support their weight from both the base of their seat and knees as well as through their hips. Practitioners who prefer the crescent zafu cushion claim to receive more support through their legs and hips, and to have a broader and more comfortable base. Additionally, this zafu can help users who struggle staying awake during meditation.

The traditional pose for Zen meditation is by sitting on the zafu cushion with legs crossed in the Lotus position. The Lotus position is the best during mediation but it can be tricky for beginners or people who are physically challenged. In such a case, users can try the half lotus, quarter lotus, or Burmese position. In the Lotus position, the spine must be upright with no support, and the hands placed on the thighs to create the right posture. The theory behind this pose is that when a person sits without supporting their spine, they will be motivated to become more alert and energized. If a user finds it challenging to sit in this position, their mediation session will be much harder than it should be. This is because the spine has four natural curves that are normally in a neutral position so that they can hold themselves up with minimal effort. Hence, changing the curves’ natural position creates a feeling of discomfort and the effort to sit up straight will exhaust the user’s energy. Zafu cushions therefore allow the user’s pelvis to tilt forward so that the sacrum is in its neutral position, thus allowing the rest of the curves of the spine to be aligned as they are supposed to.