Zafu Cushions
- All you need to know

Welcome to Zafu Yoga Cushions...
...what they are, how to use them and where to buy from.

What is a Zafu Cushion?

A Zafu is traditionally a round pleated cushion stuffed with a soft, downy fibres or kapok (a fluffy plant fibre from Asia). It is usually used in Zen meditation or Yoga. Zafu (as it is called in Japan) is the cushion and the related Zabuton is the padded mat upon which the Zafu is placed.

How do you sit on a Zafu Cushion?

The Lotus position with your legs crossed is the customary position when sitting on a Zafu cushion. The curved edges of the Zafu mean your legs drop off the edges at the hip joints so that your knees are lower than your hips, maintaining the spine's natural curve.

Should I use a Zafu Cushion when meditating?

Because the Zafu is designed for meditation then the answer is usually yes. It can be uncomfortable sitting on the floor in the Lotus position with no cushion to help support your back or raise your legs to a comfortable position, so we recommend the use of a Zafu Cushion.

What size are Zafu Cushions?

They typically measure 40cm across and 20cm deep. Usually they are double stitched for extra strength and have a handle for easy carrying.

What type of Zafu Cushion should I buy?

We recommend the traditional Kapok filled Zafu. Kapok has been used for centuries in meditation cushions and does not compress like cotton or other artificial fillings. If the Japanese have been filling their Zafus with Kapok for centuries then we know it must be right!

Where can I buy a Zafu Cushion?

Although quite widely available on the internet, we recommend Foot in the East as they have a very wide selection of traditional handmade Kapok filled Zafu Cushions, imported directly from Thailand. They have a huge range of colours and styles and are very competitively priced too.