Sitting meditation isn’t easy. And I’m not just talking about the ever-wandering mind. The actual act of sitting is an art and science in its own right. It sounds odd to say this, but sitting is actually pretty rigorous. That’s because virtually all meditation traditions advise meditators to sit upright with a straight spine and no back support. The theory is that a straight, unsupported spine will keep you more alert and energized. The traditional sitting position is usually Sukhasana (Cross-Legged Pose) or Padmasana (Lotus Pose). If your spine is unable to maintain an upright position without straining, your...

4 Tips for Committing to Meditation Practice Meditation ain’t easy. It’s arguable that it’s a whole lot harder than yoga asana practice. When you’re practicing asana, your mind has plenty of sensations to occupy itself. When you sit, sensations are more subtle. It’s hard work to zero in on what’s actually going on moment to moment when it at least appears that there’s not a whole lot happening. People often tell me they can’t meditate because when they try, their minds spin off even more than they do in daily life. I tell them that’s not a sign of an...

Use a Sukasana Cushion for Ease in “Easy Pose” In some ways you could call sitting meditation the ultimate vacation. When you make the effort to step away from your mind’s usual drama even for a few minutes, you can feel refreshed, energized and peaceful. So it’s ironic that when we go on vacation—unless we’re going on a yoga or meditation retreat—we often leave our practice behind. Part of the reason could be that most meditation cushions are bulky and heavy, which is great for home practice, but not so easy when baggage space is limited. That’s why Hugger Mugger designed...