Meditation is not a new thing. It is taking all over the world. Millions of people are delving into it with a lot of helpful techniques. One of them is the seiza chair. It is named this way because seiza is one of the traditional sitting postures used to achieve calmness in meditation. Is this your first time hearing it? No worries! This article has been carefully written to completely guide you into everything you need to know about this item.
What is a Seiza Chair?
A seiza chair is an assisting tool that is used in a meditation practice. It is named after seiza, a Japanese traditional way of sitting. Using this chair is a good alternative to sitting on the floor.
Definition and Purpose of a Seiza Chair
A seiza chair is a small seat that lets an individual sit in a seiza posture during meditation. It allows those with joint injuries and insensitivities to meditate without discomfort from the body. The purpose of this prop is to help you kneel comfortably without damaging your knees and feet.
Allows Kneeling Posture without Straining Ankles/Knees
It allows practitioners to enjoy flexibility, strength, and endurance while kneeling. Thus, they will be able to do so for a long period without putting a strain on the ankles. It promotes relaxation and the overall health of an individual.
Key Benefits of Using a Seiza Chair
Improves meditation posture and alignment. When you sit with a seiza chair, your shoulders are relaxed. Your spine is aligned. It causes your weight to be evenly distributed between your knees and back, thus reducing the pain in those areas.
Reduces pressure on joints compared to floor sitting. This is because when you sit on this prop, your position is stable. Your feet are directly underneath your buttocks so there will be a proper flow of blood. There will be no numbness or tingling of joints. Prolonged meditation is assured.
It helps you achieve mindful breathing, focus, and concentration that would otherwise elude if you do not use it. Calmness, reduced anxiety and stress are other related benefits of its usage.
Difference from Standard Meditation Benches
Chairs elevate knees. Benches only elevate hips.
Chairs provide back support. Benches do not.
Chairs take pressure away from the back, hips, and leg areas. Benches reduce pressure in just the knees and ankles.
Chairs provide more flexibility for your arms and limbs. Benches do not provide much flexibility.
Read Also: How to Use a Meditation Bench for More Effective Meditation
Choosing the Right Seiza Chair for You
Seiza chairs come in a variety of shapes, sizes as well and materials. Careful consideration should be given to help you make the right choice. This article has put together basic features to look out for before you make the final move.
Material Considerations: wood vs metal vs foam
This meditation piece is made of different materials and each has its advantage and purpose. Those made of solid wood such as acacia wood are stable and grounded. They enhance the feeling of naturalness. However, they may cause your buttocks to be rounded when you use them for a long period.
Metal seiza chairs are also solid. Additionally, they are portable and lighter than wooden ones and can be carried easily to different locations. It is good for meditation retreats.
Those made of foam provide added comfort that allows you to stay longer during your session. However, you cannot use them when they are wet.
Key Features: Cushioned, Adjustable, Portable
Cushioned seiza chairs are comfy. They enhance deeper breathing, better circulation, and focus. They have a sturdy surface, allowing you to sit without sliding or falling off. Some even have removable cushions that can be washed when needed.
Some have adjustable seats that can be customized from the floor according to users and tasks. Some can even be tilted up to a 150 angle to adjust the sitting pose.
Portable ones are lightweight and considerably small in size. They can stored when not in use and transported easily. They are good for yoga, meditation, gym or travel.
Seiza Meditation Bench
It is sturdy and uniquely designed to perfect the ‘seiza’ posture. It is made with a curved seat to provide stability, comfort, and better alignment. The sitting angle allows the back to straighten and the spine to be naturally aligned. It has adjustable heights and is portable.
Best Wooden Seiza Chairs
High-quality solid wood, like mango wood, bamboo, or acacia makes you stable and grounded so that you will not wiggle from side to side. For example, the Bean Products Bamboo Meditation Chair is eco-friendly with hinges that are rust-proof.
Naturally antimicrobial and long-lasting seiza chairs help to fight off microbes that destroy or ferment them. Thus, they are durable and can be used for a long time. An example is the Bluecony Meditation Chair.
Best Portable Folding Seiza Chairs
Lightweight foam or plastic folding design like the IPPINKA Foldable Meditation Kneeling Chair is ideal for practitioners. It has only about 1.1” thickness and can be carried in most purses anywhere you like.
Easy to transport and store away. Ideal for indoors, outdoors, vacations, or retreats. Can be used in homes, offices, or gym spots. For example, the Needs Portable Seiza Chair is incredibly lightweight and folds up flat. It can easily be stashed away.
Setting up your Seiza Chair for Meditation
As with other meditation chairs, it takes techniques to know how to accurately set up a seiza chair. Let’s dig into some helpful tips.
Position against a Wall or in an Open Space
If you are using it indoors, place it against a wall in the corner of the room. This will help you station your back in a stable way. You can do without a wall or use it outdoors if you want to. But ensure the meditation space is wide and open enough in case you want to move your arms.
Optional: Add Cushions for Comfort
If your chair is on a hard surface, you can push some cushions underneath your knees for comfort and relaxation. You can also make use of a yoga market or folded blanket. However, this is optional. You can decide to do without if you feel you are already doing great.
Achieving Proper Posture in a Seiza Chair
Keep your spine straight, facing the ceiling (upward). Allow your shoulders to be relaxed. Gaze forward. Do not slouch forward as that may curve your spine in a wrong way. Keep your back erect. Slightly tilt your upper body backward and keep your head straight with no strain on the neck.
Knees resting comfortably on the seat. Ensure your knees are spread apart so that your legs form a square shape. Be gentle and patient with yourself.
Padded Meditation Bench
Folding Seat with Cushion is designed for long meditation. Its cushion provides comfort for your buttocks, back, and legs.
Bamboo Seiza benches are made with sustainable materials. They are natural and durable. They are padded with cushion, providing a comfortable base for your body.
Folding Yoga Meditation Seat provides comfort for those who prefer to do the kneeling ergonomic meditation. It has layers of padding for support. Its folding legs allow it to be easily stored and transported.
Yoga Gifts such as yoga mats are ideal for men and women practitioners who have trouble kneeling on a bare floor. They protect your joints from the hard floor. They have a hard grip surface to keep you in place during your session.
Floor cushions are soft and help to improve posture. As an added advantage, they can be used indoors and outdoors. They are also lightweight.
Added Support with Meditation Cushions
Cushions can elevate hips to reduce pressure. They can fine-tune posture by supporting the spine. This helps you meditate for longer periods and enjoy the practice. They can be used as added height for short practitioners.
Small cushions of about 30” x 30” are ideal for short practitioners. Larger ones of about 36”x 33” are ideal for tall practitioners. Regular cushions are 3” thick while thicker ones are about 4” loft. A thicker cushion would be ideal on a soft surface and for those who have kneeling problems.
Step-by-Step Guide to Seiza Chair Meditation
Proper sitting or kneeling posture is the backbone of your practice. Getting the right chair and location is not enough. You need to master the techniques of using it to meditate in such a way that will improve alignment and overall health.
Instructions on Sitting, Anchoring, and Hand Position
For proper sitting posture, start by making sure your back is upright. Next, focus on your spine. Ensure that it is not bending forward. This may put a wrong curve on it. Let it face upward. You can do this by imagining a string pulling your head upward towards the ceiling.
Keep your eyes straight ahead. You can have it partially closed or focused on a single point in your meditation space. This can serve as an anchor, making you fully concentrated throughout your practice.
Hands should rest gently on your knees or laps or thighs or in whichever way that allows you to engage in mindful breathing and energy flow. Hands can be placed palm up or down. A small cushion can be added to the hands if you experience strain on the neck or back.
Tips for Maintaining Comfort and Focus
- Sit erectly. An erect posture boosts focus, eliminates distraction, and provides you with maximum comfort.
- Practice deep and mindful breathing.
- Please, be still. Try not to move. Do not pay attention to side distractions.
- Keep your eyes gently raised. The point between the eyebrows is the seat of focus. Hence, keep them lifted and you will notice increased focus.
- Add your favorite song, fragrance, or object.
- Explore with your favorite clothing color or accessories. You will thank your stars for the comfort you will achieve.
Troubleshooting Discomfort in Seiza Chairs
If you experience strain in your hips/knees, some of the stretches/exercises you can try include knee lift, foam roller stretch, heel-to-buttock exercise, quadriceps exercise, stomach exercise, and bridging. These exercises are good for relieving pain in the hip joints and fostering flexibility and mobility.
If your chair is too low or too high, you can make adjustments so you’ll be comfortable. It is okay to take short breaks if you feel you’re losing focus or if it’s becoming boring.
Top 5 Seiza Chair Picks for 2023 & beyond
As already considered, a seiza chair will help you sit comfortably in a kneeling position during meditation for a longer session. Check out the listings of the best seiza chairs that are close to 5-star reviews.
Breakdown of 5 best chairs with pros/cons
Traditional Japanese Seiza Chair
Pros
It helps to relieve back pain.
It helps to improve posture.
Cons
It may not be suitable for those with knee or joint problems.
Folding Seiza Chair
Pros
It provides maximum comfort.
It can be folded for easy storage.
Cons
It can be more expensive.
Seiza Chair with Adjustable Incline
Pros
It can adjust the chair to a more comfortable position.
It is a helpful solution for those who experience back aches.
Cons
It is not a common chair. It is expensive.
Seiza Chair with Backrest
Pros
It provides back support.
It is recommended for those who find it hard to sit upright.
Cons
It cannot be stored easily.
Seiza Chair with Wheels
Pros
You can move the chair around easily. It is suitable for those who want to experience mobility.
Cons
It may not be stable.
It can be more expensive.
Comparison Table of Features and Average Ratings
| Seiza Chairs | Features | Average Ratings |
| Traditional Japanese Seiza Chair | Made of natural wood. Portable and lightweight | 4.5 |
| Folding Seiza Chair | Portable and lightweight. Can be folded for storage. | 4.5 |
| Seiza Chair with Adjustable Incline | Adjustable features to suit your preferred need and offer comfort | 4.9 |
| Seiza Chair with Backrest | Provide back support and help you sit for a long time. | 4.7 |
| Seiza Chair with Wheels | Made with wheels to provide flexibility and mobility | 4.4 |
Eco Yoga Slab Stool– Meditation Stool – Wood stool – Folding chair – Japanese bench – Seiza bench – Meditation Prayer Puja stool
This stool category is made of solid birch wood. It is a great support for the back and neck. It is sturdy and very comfortable.
Best-rated Foldable Seiza Chair Models
IPPINKA Foldable Meditation Chair (Seiza) is portable and lightweight. It keeps your feet from being numb when you kneel for a long period. It has a wide and smooth surface that perfectly fits your buttocks and gives you a pain-free meditation experience. It can be folded and carried about and used in any location.
Japanese Chair (Seiza) is a foldable and compact chair that can folded easily. It is portable and can be easily stored and transported.
Where to Buy a Seiza Chair for Meditation
Seiza chairs can be purchased via online shops such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or Goata. Buying online will offer you the opportunity to check out the features of the product as well as customer reviews and ratings. You will be able to receive the seller’s message directly as the maker of the product. However, there could be shipping carrier delays or placing an order risk.
Seiza chairs can also be ordered from local stores around you. Much of a successful purchase depends on the communication skills and knowledge of the retailer. You should buy a chair from someone who knows about seiza meditation and appreciates the benefits. The retailer should be honest and be able to work with your budget.
FAQ’s:
- What is a seiza bench?
A seiza bench is a small bench designed to support kneeling meditation known as seiza.
- How do you use a meditation bench?
Place the bench directly below your buttock. You can use an open space or put it against a wall. Sit upright, keep your back and head straight. Keep your knees flat or support them with a cushion.
- Are meditation chairs good for you?
Yes, they provide comfort for your body and help relieve back pain. They improve blood flow in leg areas too.
- How tall should my meditation bench be?
A meditation bench should be on an average height of 7” to make your legs feel comfortable.
- Are the products on Etsy handmade?
Products on Etsy are either handmade, handcrafted, or vintage.