Get Comfortable During Meditation With These Popular Postures & Modifications

Do you find it hard to get comfortable in a seated posture for meditation? I did. Discomfort was a real barrier to the stillness and focus I was trying to cultivate. In fact, the original reason ancient yogis practiced the asanas of Hatha yoga was all in the name of preparation for the body to sit comfortably during meditation. (Here's more background on The History of Hatha Yoga.)

So, what can you do to help your meditation practice today? Here are two standard seated positions you can try as well as some additional modification tips.Try them all and see which works best for you.

Cross-legged Meditation Posture

In a cross-legged meditation posture, you cross the legs in front of the body, with the tops or sides of both feet resting on the floor. The hands can be resting on the knees or the lap in any supported position. The key to feeling comfortable in a cross-legged posture is to ensure that the hips are higher than the knees and the knees are supported. There are two modifications that can be made to ensure this is the case:

1. Raise the hips higher than the knees by sitting on the edge of a meditation cushion or folded blanket.
2. If the knees are not resting on the floor, place cushions underneath them for support.

Imagine a string is pulling the crown of the head to the sky. Then, allow the muscles to soften slightly while maintaining the lifted or coiled-up feeling. The advantage of this posture is that the body is grounded by the legs and it should take very little effort to keep the body upright.

Kneeling Meditation Posture

This position is called seiza in some schools of meditation. There are three ways to perform it:

1. Sit directly on the heels with the knees shoulder-width apart.
2. Use a meditation stool, called a seiza bench, under the sit bones. This keeps the weight off the feet and is at an angle that promotes healthy alignment of the spine.
3. Kneel with a cushion between your legs, again taking the pressure off the feet and calves.

Whichever version you are using, as in the cross-legged posture, find a balance between feeling lifted and relaxed, drawing energy up through the length of the spine. This posture may be better for anyone who struggles with tightness in the hips in a cross-legged position. (To further help alleviate tightness, try these Hip Openers for People Who Sit All Day.)

Additional Modifications

If neither of these postures feel comfortable, consider modifying further by sitting with your back against a wall for support, using additional blankets or cushions wherever you need them, or even sitting upright in a chair. The most important thing is finding a posture that lets you sit with both alertness and ease. (No matter the posture or modification you use, just remember the Number One 'Rule' of Meditation.)

Benefits of Proper Posture

Physical

In an effective seated meditation posture, the weight of the body is supported by the alignment of the bones rather than muscular effort. The vertebrae are stacked, maintaining the healthy curvature of the spine without strain. This allows you to experience an ease and lightness in the posture. The alignment of the spine reduces compression on the chest and abdominal muscles, freeing them to support proper breathing and increasing the capacity of the lungs.

The ease of the posture reduces the energy demands on the body and allows for a much lower cardio-respiratory activity than is typical. This can reduce the heart rate and blood pressure, taking the body into a more relaxed state.

Mental

Perhaps most importantly, a good meditation posture makes the whole experience of meditation more pleasant. Without the distractions of discomfort, it can be much easier to concentrate. The combination of greater comfort in the posture and better focus means you will reap the rewards of meditation and be far more likely to keep it up. (Why don't you start now with this 10-Minute Meditation.)