Zafu

[jonhinkson]

I have never used a zafu before. I am 5'9 and about 220lbs. Not the most flexible, but willing to cahange that. I had been using a stack of regular pillows for sitting, but they are very unstable and have led to some back pain. I was wondering if anyone has any information on size, filling contents, and if a zabuton is worth purchasing. Where do people generally buy these? Are there good dealers who you've done buisness with before?
Novice inside.

Gassho,

Jonathan

[Shonin]

Re: Zafu

If I remember right i just got mine from the zafu store. Biggg difference between that and pillows/folded blankets. I did not purchase a zabuton tho. As i understand it the stuffing is really a matter of personal preferrence. Which kinda irk'ed me when i was asking the same question a lil over a year ago. Most of the random websites i looked at seemed to have somehwere on the site recommendations as far as height. i don't believe the weight matters. And most of this info was in the product description so no digging.

[JohnsonCM]

Re: Zafu

I got mine for a gift, but the contents are buckwheat hulls so the support is awesome. Before I was using a round pillow / cushion /thing and the difference is amazing. We paid around $50.00 US for it online.

[Geika]

Re: Zafu

Is it the sag in a pillow or blanket that cause the lack of support? Do zafus sag at all over time?

[Earthling]

Re: Zafu

If you get a buckwheat hull-filled zafu, you should do well. I can relate to back problems! --but I find the buckwheat zafu gives wonderful support. It is firm, but not hard. Actually I was quite surprised at how good it really felt-- it makes a huge difference! Sometimes I will do my reading while sitting on the zafu as well. I bought mine on Amazon a few months back for about $50 (the company was ZafuStore).

() josh

[chessie]

Re: Zafu

I'm actually thinking about splurging on a 'Tibetan Mountain Seat'. Does anyone have experience with this one? I have one of foam, and one with seeds or something in them, and both just are too low for me. I think i want more height. But, thinking causes it's own problems, so i should probably just watch the thoughts and let them go. :wink:

ann

[Tainin]

Re: Zafu

Jonathan,

I've used a number of zafu - single, double stacked, single with extra cushion and a few home-made seiza benches over the past but I currently use, and like the most, a crescent shaped zafu. It retains its lift with over 200 pounds on it and the front "sides" of the crescent provide some leg support in burmese for comfort. Unfortunately it doesn't have a tag inside with a brand name and it's probably a good ten years old now. Anyway, I've found the basic shape pretty useful.

Gassho,
Tainin

[jonhinkson]

Re: Zafu

:idea: How do you guys feel about making your own? Have any tried? The crescent zafu might fit my body type better than the round. Does anyone have or know of a pattern for this?

[chessie]

Re: Zafu

Here's one idea for making your own crescent:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7689006_make-cr ... -zafu.html

Ann

[Geika]

Re: Zafu

Here's one idea for making your own crescent:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7689006_make-cr ... -zafu.html

Thanks!

[Shonin]

Re: Zafu

Amelia, a zafu will sag some when sitting, you usally fluff it like a pillow before and after. Given time they will wear out, but many can just be restuffed. Some of the stores that carry zafus carry both the buckwheat and kapok to be able to do so.

[Geika]

Re: Zafu

Amelia, a zafu will sag some when sitting, you usally fluff it like a pillow before and after. Given time they will wear out, but many can just be restuffed. Some of the stores that carry zafus carry both the buckwheat and kapok to be able to do so.

Thanks. I was just watching the "Ho Ho Ho" Zazenkai and noticed a lady fluffing up her zafu. Nice that those stores carry refills. I think the metaphysical shop near my house used to have that, but they went out of business not too long ago...

Making my own is really starting to be the way I think I'm going to do it, unless the universe slams me into nicely priced one while I am out shopping one of these days.

[Sloppy_Zen]

Re: Zafu

Hi there;

I'm somewhat heavier than you (240 lbs) and have used a zafu and zabuton for sometime, but I have found that using a meditation bench is easier on the joints than a cushion; my legs don't fall asleep, and keeping my posture is easier. Hope this helps!

-Jim

[Shonin]

Re: Zafu

I think with shipping from the zafustore mine was around $90. I had to get the big boy size. Maybe just order the buckwheat or kapok online. Do the rest yourself. Plus once ya made one it'll be easier to size it more personally.

[Fuken]

Re: Zafu

The Sanshin Zen Community, (Rev. Shohaku Okumura's group) sells them, and they could really use the patronage as their donations have ben gut down by about 50% due to the economy. http://sanshinji.org/cushions/ A little more pricey than you may find elseware on line, but for a noble cause.