Clothes for Zazen

[Onkai]

I was wondering where I could find an online store for clothes appropriate for lay practitioners. I've been wearing jeans that are binding and I don't think I am breathing from my abdomen. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[threethirty]

I do it in my undies.

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[gaurdianaq]

I'd say whatever is comfortable, I'm partial to shorts when it's warm, and sweat pants when it's not (if you like jeans carpenter cut jeans tend to be looser fitting so those might work as well)

Or as threethirty said (sorry don't know your name), could do it in your underwear as well if that's more comfortable. I guess that doesn't directly answer the question of recommendations for stores, but wherever sells comfy clothing, most places I could recommend would be Canadian though (Old Navy, The Gap, Winners... Guess you could order from Walmart, but they seem like an icky company to support)

Sorry went a bit over.


Evan,
Sat today, lah

[Meian]

I live in yoga-style pants and t-shirts.

I do shop online -- I buy pants from one online store only, every few years or so (after I've worn holes in them).

Gassho, meian st lh

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[Junkyo]

I was wondering where I could find an online store for clothes appropriate for lay practitioners. I've been wearing jeans that are binding and I don't think I am breathing from my abdomen. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

www.stillsitting.com has some nice samu-e and are a reliable company to deal with. I am sure there are others as well.

Gassho,

Junkyo
SAT

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[Shoka]

I was wondering where I could find an online store for clothes appropriate for lay practitioners. I've been wearing jeans that are binding and I don't think I am breathing from my abdomen. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

Onkai,

Personally I usually sit in yoga pants. I get them from target because they are fairly cheap and last a long time. But I wear yoga pants and leggings a lot, so I have them for others things as well. But I do have a set that has become my default sitting pants when I'm doing zazenkais or sitting with others.

If you want something more traditional there are a few places that are ran by practitioners or zen groups so purchases help support their activities:

Zen Mountian Monastery Store:

https://monasterystore.org/collections/meditation-clothing

They have Thai fisherman's pants that they have laypractioners wear


Zabu Zabu:

http://www.zabuzabu.net/

Liz studied zen sewing in Japanese monasteries, and sells samu sets, tops and pants. Several of the Unsui have robes from her.


Zen Stitchery:

https://zenstitchery.com/

Yuko is in Los Angeles and the sewing supports a local zen group, several Unsui also have robes from her. They have sitting pants and samuegi sets.


These are all great people to support; but there really isn't any need to buy anything beyond a simple comfortable pair of pants. Cotton or linen pants with a stretchy waist will be far more comfortable than jeans. I often do short sits in jeans when I'm too lazy to change.


Gassho,

Shoka
sat

[gaurdianaq]

Zen Mountian Monastery Store:

https://monasterystore.org/collections/meditation-clothing

Gassho,

Shoka
sat

Thank you for sharing this, been thinking I wanted to set up an altar and wanted to get a few things for it... but didn't know where else I could get some of this stuff that wasn't amazon... Wonder if there are any canadian stores that are similar.


Evan,
Sat today, lah

[Shoka]

Thank you for sharing this, been thinking I wanted to set up an altar and wanted to get a few things for it... but didn't know where else I could get some of this stuff that wasn't amazon... Wonder if there are any canadian stores that are similar.


Evan,
Sat today, lah

Evan,

Just like with clothing, there isn't really a need to buy much special for altars.

Here is an old thread where many members over the years shared pictures of their home altars:

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6156-home-altar&highlight=butsudan

There are many that are very simple and just used things from home or that had personal significance to them.

Gassho,
Shoka
sat

[Onkai]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Looking up yoga pants I found some jogger's pants that look comfortable. My mother gave me some sweat pants that aren't too tight but are warm for this season. I appreciate your help.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[gaurdianaq]

Evan,

Just like with clothing, there isn't really a need to buy much special for altars.

Here is an old thread where many members over the years shared pictures of their home altars:

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6156-home-altar&highlight=butsudan

There are many that are very simple and just used things from home or that had personal significance to them.

Gassho,
Shoka
sat

Might not be necessary, but still something I'd like to do.


Evan,
Sat today, lah

[Meitou]

Onkai I also use jogging pants or leggings, and a loose t shirt, usually in dark colours - I also have a samu type jacket and pants that I found on Amazon. I'm quite formal in my practice, even if no-one else is looking, and definitely wouldn't sit in underwear. I remember the very first time I sat in the FSR, I had to share it with someone, I never found out who he was, in a pair of short shorts and nothing else, ugh, it was months before I went back!
Thanks Shoka for the links.
Gassho
Meitou satlah

[Jundo]

Any clean, comfortable, non-restricting clothes are fine, suited to the temperature, such as loose sweat pants in winter or big legged linen pants of some kind in summer (ever shorts in the privacy of your home is fine, although usually not acceptable in groups and somewhat more formal settings), typically solid and dark/neutral colors avoiding bright colors and busy patterns.

It does not have to be "official" lay robes or the like unless, for some reason, someone finds that it serves as some kind of reminder to the heart of that this moment and place of sitting is somehow sacred ... like a Buddha statue and lighting incense. However, strictly speaking every moment and place is sacred.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Kokuu]

Hi Onkai

I find that Thai fisherman's pants are really good and come in many colours, including Soto black! Mine come from various Ebay sellers.

Mostly I just have a black t-shirt on top but you can add a samu jacket for formal occasions and birthdays.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday (in funky pants!)-

[Seishin]

Like Meitou I also use an old pair of Ron Hill Tracksters (jogging pants) and a loose T, always black. My wardrobe is Johnny Cash black very little colour. These last few evenings I have been doing my additional Ango sit and have worn the jeans I have had on during the day and I have noticed they are more restrictive. So your post is a mindful reminder I should change and sit as I do in the morning.

Shoka thank you for the links, some interesting products. In fact the Samuegi from Zen Stitchery looks just like my old karate Gis and even the most heavy weight competition Gi was a fraction of the price and I am sure they would be equally comfortable for sitting. This has gone up in price since I was last teaching and would be a little too heavy for sitting maybe but suitable for cold winter sits

https://www.blitzsport.com/karate/karate-suits-uniforms/blitz-adult-diamond-karate-suit

A light weight Gi like this would be a perfect alternative https://www.blitzsport.com/karate/ka...nt-karate-suit

I now regret giving my old suits to my association when I "retired" from teaching and competition. If anyone should consider taking this route for clothing, I used Blitz for 25 years and used to bulk by clothing and equipment for the school I ran for a good few years. Their products are well made and good quality.

Just a thought.

Sat/lah

[Meitou]

I also like Johnny Cash Black! I seem to remember when this subject came up in the past, that someone suggested medical scrubs, which also come in JCBlack, and are suitably loose, plain and very economical.

https://www.amazon.com/Sivvan-Unisex-Classic-Drawstring-Available/dp/B01E9G9NY4/ref=sr_1_28?crid=24ZLHBXDQF2N&dchild=1&keywords=black+medical+scrubs+for+women&qid=1599776703&sprefix=black+medical+scru%2Caps%2C581&sr=8-28

Amazon also has samue for around $60, full disclosure though, the mens largest size only just fit me!
Gassho
Meitou
sattoday lah