We all know that meditation can do wonders for our minds and bodies, but did you know that the right accessories can help your practice be even more effective?
When you’re first starting out with meditation, it can be hard to know what to use to get started. For some, it’s best to start simple and build your practice up slowly, while others like to jump right in with all the tools they can find. To help you decide what accessories are right for you, here are a few of the most popular pieces of meditation equipment and what each can bring to your practice.
Comfortable Seating: Zafus, Zabutons and Yoga Mats
When it comes to meditation, there are many ways people can sit. However, typically the most popularly used meditation seating positions are sitting with legs crossed on the floor. It's important to note that whatever type of meditation seat you choose must allow your feet to touch the ground so your body stays grounded during meditation sessions.
Types of seats include:
Meditation Cushions or Zafus: Zafu Cushions will improve your posture and comfort level during meditation. Without proper support your legs, spine, hips, head, and shoulders may misalign, causing discomfort. This cushion is designed to relieve pressure from the back, ankles, and knees while supporting spinal alignment.
Zabutons: A zabuton is a cushion for sitting and gives you the right way to sit to avoid muscle, joint, and bone pain in your knees and ankles. Literally translated as "cushion" this dual-purpose furniture is designed to be used with Zafu cushions when sitting on the floor.
Yoga mats: Yoga mats made of durable, dense foam are designed to provide support and cushioning for poses or lying on your back.
Cultivate a calming or spiritual atmosphere for your senses: Incense, Aromatherapy, Salt Lamps and Blankets
During meditation, all your senses should be heightened and refined, as they are relieved of obstructive stresses and toxins.
Incense sticks and aromatherapy oils: The nature of your meditation experience changes when it smells good. Fragrance plays an important role in the meditation process to promote relaxation and calm. Incenses can range from sticks and cones, with special burners to facilitate fragrance flow during mediation – while reducing the risk of setting fire to your space! Aromatherapy products range from smudging sticks to aromatherapy essential oils, carefully blended by experts for zen settings.
Himalayan Salt Lamps and Candles- Himalayan salt lamps give off a warm, calming light that can be used as a focal point or to create an ambiance of relaxation and spirituality in any room. Salt lamps also release negative ions into the air which neutralize positively charged ions given off by electronics, purify the air, and help us feel more energized.
Mexican Blanket- These can be used in a variety of ways to help you get the most out of your poses, and they're super cozy and keep you warm while meditating.
The search for a perfect meditation accessory can be overwhelming, but don't worry! HealthyLifeCycle is here to help you find what your heart desires- from endless options and information on all things related to meditation, relaxation or stress relief. For more information and other well researched and high quality tools, click on the images or review our “Meditation” section on our website.