There is no one way to sit while you learn meditation techniques, especially since not all methods require being seated. The most important thing is that you feel relaxed and comfortable.
However, good posture is really important, it helps with the easy flow of energy, with breathing, and it is ultimately more relaxing for your body - although at first it may not feel like it.
The right posture when you learn meditation means having a ’straight’ spine. The spine is naturally S-shaped, swooshing forwards from the base and then curving back to the upper back and forwards again to the neck. So if you’ve been hunching for years, it can be tricky to know whether you’re sitting up properly. The easiest way to describe the sensation of good posture is ‘floating’.
Once you get your posture right, it will help in all types of meditation inlcuding:
- meditation techniques
- learn meditation
- transcendental meditation
- guided meditation
- meditation music
- buddhist meditation
- benefits of meditation
- zen meditation
The classic meditation position is the full lotus. If you can do it and feel perfectly comfortable in that position, go ahead. Or you may want to sit cross-legged with a cushion just supporting your bottom. Try variations on this until you feel comfortable.
However, sitting in a straight-backed chair is also fine. The important thing is that your posture is good.
Initially you may want to support your back with a cushion. Eventually you should sit comfortably without a cushion, but bear in mind that even buddhist meditation should not be an endurance test.
Sitting Up Straight
- First of all imagine that the top of your bead is being pulled towards the ceiling by a string, so that it feels as if your skull is floating on top of your spine. You’re like a marionette, dangling.
- Make sure your chin is tucked in. There can be a temptation to throw your chin back.
- Relax your shoulders. Don’t pull them back and stick your chest out.
- Make sure your stomach muscles are relaxed. This is very important for your breathing.
You should be sitting correctly now. Remember what this posture feels like, because you will want to come back to it easily if you find yourself slumping during your guided meditation session. It should feel comfortable, but it may take you a while to develop the lower back muscles that help you sit up straight.
I also know of these other meditation techniques and resources that you may want to learn abou:
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