Meditation Mat for posture

A meditation mat can offer support in finding a balanced posture during formal meditation practice," Jackie Stewart, a meditation instructor with Alo Moves, said. "For posture, it is important that your knees are below your hips, and your hips are tilted slightly forward, which alleviates lower-back tension. To find balance, we sit upright and bring alertness to the body, while remaining relaxed with our muscles and easy with the breath. Essentially, the cushion helps to elevate the hips.

How to use meditation cushion:

Sitting on a meditation cushion can look incredibly easy to an observer. After all, isn't the whole point to relax and get comfortable? The truth is that many traditional poses, such as the popular full Lotus pose, aren't going to be comfortable for every body type. For most who practice mediation, rotating the hips too far or holding the knees in an unnatural position is going to cause pain and discomfort when seated for too long.

The up-side? There are plenty of alternative ways to use your Crystal Cove meditation pillow that may be more suitable for your needs and level of flexibility. Plus, it's fun to switch up your routine every now and then for a different meditative experience. See the 5 simple poses below, and let us know which one you'll be adding to the rotation!

Kneeling with Support

Kneeling is a pretty popular pose for meditation, but without support it can quickly become a pain for those with sensitive knees or ankles. Use your Crystal Cove meditation pillow for support between your knees in a kneeling position. It'll remove the pressure on your joints and promote circulation in your legs. Nothing will interrupt a meditation session like your limbs falling asleep!

Half or Quarter Lotus Pose:

Easier on the knees and hips than your traditional full Lotus pose, these variations make great alternative poses for meditation. Shown above is a Quarter Lotus pose using the Crystal Cove meditation pillow for support, great for opening the hips, knees, and ankles. Just assume a cross legged position and gently place your right ankle on the opposite calf.

To take it up a notch to Half Lotus pose, place that same ankle a bit higher, allowing it to rest on the upper thigh of the opposite leg.

Simple Cross-legged Pose:

Doesn't get much easier than this! Sit in a simple cross-legged pose for minimal strain on your joints while still stretching your knees and keeping your hips open. In this position, using a meditation pillow helps to keep you from rounding out your back, keeping the spine in alignment for longer and more comfortable meditation sessions.

If you find your feet falling asleep (this happens to some people in this pose), consider switching to the "kneeling with support" pose to take weight off of your ankles and improve circulation.

Arched Back:

Not quite a seated pose, this one is designed to open your chest and ribcage for deeper, longer breaths during meditation and breathing exercises. It's also a great way to relieve lower back pain and stretch out your abdomen after your yoga practice. Sit down with the meditation pillow right behind your hips, then lean back with your arms overhead to open up your chest. Now, just take a deep breath and relax.

Child's Pose (or Balasana):

Is it just me, or is Child's Pose everyone's favorite? This version touts an extra-comfortable place to rest your head. A simple pose for beginners, Child's Pose is incredibly relaxing while stretching your thighs, hips, and back. With this pose, you'll feel the stress melt away instantly - the only focus here is on deep breathing and setting the mind free.

Resources - Meditation Chair