In this article, I would like to talk about meditation postures. Many people need clarification when they try to find the proper posture to meditate. In a few words, we can safely say there is no adequate meditation posture. You can meditate at any pose you want. Whatever works for you is the proper meditation posture. Now, for a stance to work, you must follow some simple rules. Let’s have a look at these rules.
- You need to choose a pose that you stick on it for the whole meditation procedure. This pose must be so comfortable that you will not force yourself to change it while you meditate.
- Choose a pose that lets your energy flow unobstructed. What does this mean? Your posture must allow your body to stay upright but not too stretched.
An upright yet relaxed pose is excellent for a meditation experience. You can meditate in whatever pose you feel comfortable with if you follow these simple rules. You can practice meditation anywhere while doing anything. In reality, you can transform every activity into a meditation experience. That’s why you can also meditate in a stand-up, sitting, or lying position. Let’s take a look at every category one by one.
If you choose to meditate in a stand-up position, the only thing you need to take care of is to stay upright and relaxed. Don’t overstretch your body or stay curved. Both of these postures will block your energy. There are many meditations practiced in stand-up positions. Some meditations use some kind of body activity like walking.
You can practice many forms of meditation in a stand-up position, but many others, like breathing meditation, cannot be practiced this way. Breathing meditation can cause dizziness, so it is better to choose a sitting or lying pose. When selecting a sitting posture, you must take care of several things. Of course, your body must stay upright and not too stretched. Another thing you need to keep in mind is to sit on a comfortable seat. Hard surfaces are not a good option because they will soon make you feel tired.
On the other hand, if you meditate in poses like lotus, semi-lotus, or crossed legs, very soft surfaces are also not a good option. Surfaces like your bed make you lose your balance. If this happens while you meditate, you will lose your concentration trying to fix your balance. So, it might be better to choose a hard floor with a thin carpet underneath.
If you are a beginner, I recommend you meditate while sitting on a chair with your feet connected to the floor. It’s a good idea to let your hands loose on your knees. This way, you can receive more energy from the earth by connecting your hands with the earth through your feet. Sitting on a chair is a comfortable pose that allows you to meditate deeper.
Finally, if you choose to meditate in a lying position, it is much better to meditate lying on your right side. This pose will help your heart work efficiently, and you will be able to manage more energy. If you suffer from stomach issues, lying on your left side is better. This way, you will prevent acid reflux that can burn your esophagus and block the energy in your throat and solar plexus area. You can also meditate while lying on your back, but in this case, it is better to use a pillow below your head. It will prevent your body from becoming overstretched and help your energy flow unobstructed. Keep in mind to use a thin pillow. Too thick cushions can cause your head to tilt too much, forcing your neck to create a sharp angle. This angle can also block your energy.
In a few words, what you must do while you choose a meditation pose is to listen to your body. If you feel pain or discomfort staying in this pose for a long time, or something doesn’t look right, you should choose another pose to meditate.
Fotis Tampas (De Tao).
I.M. Meditation 