Buckwheat zafu

[Ryumon]

I just got a buckwheat zafu that I ordered from an Amazon marketplace seller in the UK. It's very high, and the buckwheat is solid.

http://www.bluebanyan.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=117

I have a lot of trouble sitting on a cushion - at least the one I have - because of arthritis in my knees, and the cushion not being high enough gives me back and neck pain. I could immediately feel, trying this cushion out, that not only does the additional height make me more comfortable, but the buckwheat gives a much more solid base. (I've been sleeping with a buckwheat-filled pillow for more than ten years, and it's wonderful.)

So, anyone who finds a standard zafu uncomfortable might want to try one like this...

[Dokan]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

I use the same. Mine is pretty flat, but I love how solid it is. Only issue I've experienced is that during the winter retreat my butt would fall asleep on occasion.

Gassho,

Dokan

[Emmet]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

With a kapok zafu, I put a cushion under the back to give it (and my pelvis) a bit of a forward tilt, otherwise my back hurts. The few times I've tried buckwheat ones, they seem to assume this tilt more naturally.

[Ryumon]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

With a kapok zafu, I put a cushion under the back to give it (and my pelvis) a bit of a forward tilt, otherwise my back hurts. The few times I've tried buckwheat ones, they seem to assume this tilt more naturally.

I used to put a thick book under the back of my kapok zafu, but it wasn't ideal. A better solution would be a wedge-shaped thing, which would provide better support. But the buckwheat seems like it will be fine. My back and knees are happy.

[Emmet]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Another suggestion from my doctor regarding arthritic knees; change position frequently. When sitting all day, I alternate between a zafu and a meditation bench, with kinhin in between (or sometimes a little stretching/yoga/qigong). While this helps enormously, I still usually end up in a chair by the end of the day; simply too many herniated and degenerated discs.
My teacher suggested alternating which leg is in front (I sit Burmese), but alas the right knee only bends one way.

[Ryumon]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Another suggestion from my doctor regarding arthritic knees; change position frequently. When sitting all day, I alternate between a zafu and a meditation bench, with kinhin in between (or sometimes a little stretching/yoga/qigong). While this helps enormously, I still usually end up in a chair by the end of the day; simply too many herniated and degenerated discs.
My teacher suggested alternating which leg is in front (I sit Burmese), but alas the right knee only bends one way.

Yes, I can only sit one way in Burmese (which is how I sit). If I try changing, I fall over. :-)

[Risho]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

I bought the buckwheat cushion from Zen Mountain Monastery. Luckily I like it I say luckily because, I have to admit, when I got it a couple years back I was in my Zen honeymoon phase, so I was just so excited to get it. Actually I still get giddy looking at it. I really like it a lot.

I do find that my lower quadrant falls asleep too. ahhhaha

[Kaishin]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Taigu has a video (somewhere on here) where he shows how he recommends that when you sit, lean forward and "wedge" the zafu at an angle underneath you to provide better support. I've been doing that with my kapok zafu ever since and it's made a big difference.

Though I'd like to try that large zafu just to see how it compares. Most of my discomfort when sitting, if I'm really honest with myself, from the fact that I'm inflexible and overweight. Maybe I should work on that first

[Ryumon]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Though I'd like to try that large zafu just to see how it compares. Most of my discomfort when sitting, if I'm really honest with myself, from the fact that I'm inflexible and overweight. Maybe I should work on that first

That may be part of my problem, but also I'm tall (well, 6 feet), and I have arthritis in my knees and back, so sitting a bit higher really makes a difference. It allows my legs to be less tight, and my back to be looser as well.

[Hogen]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

I'm still lusting after a seifu as my flexibility has never been there for me. the cost is a bit prohibitive, so I've depended on overstuffing my zafu with extra buckwheat

http://www.dharma.net/monstore/category ... th=104_107

[Omoi Otoshi]

Buckwheat zafu

Taigu has a video (somewhere on here) where he shows how he recommends that when you sit, lean forward and "wedge" the zafu at an angle underneath you to provide better support. I've been doing that with my kapok zafu ever since and it's made a big difference.

I agree! It makes a ton of difference. Sit only on the front half and try to wedge it so that your pelvis is tilted slightly forward. Helps with both back pain and sleepy buttocks!

/Pontus

[Kaishin]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

I found Taigu's video: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=4200

FFWD to about 2:40 for the "angling" technique.

[Kaishin]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Mine is pretty flat,

Is that from normal use, or did you remove some of the buckwheat?

[Hoyu]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Mine is pretty flat,

Is that from normal use, or did you remove some of the buckwheat?

I also sit on a buckwheat Zafu so I'm going to chime in on this one.
Mine has flattened out from normal(well as normal as endlessly sitting on your butt in front of a blank wall can be considered :lol: ) sitting. The hulls just break down over time. Even to the point of powderizing and breaching the Zafu fabric. Kind of dusty
I decided my next one will be cotton to avoid this issue!

Gassho,
Hoyu(John)

[Ryumon]

Re: Buckwheat zafu

Mine is pretty flat,

Is that from normal use, or did you remove some of the buckwheat?

I also sit on a buckwheat Zafu so I'm going to chime in on this one.
Mine has flattened out from normal(well as normal as endlessly sitting on your butt in front of a blank wall can be considered :lol: ) sitting. The hulls just break down over time. Even to the point of powderizing and breaching the Zafu fabric. Kind of dusty
I decided my next one will be cotton to avoid this issue!

Gassho,
Hoyu(John)

But you can replace the buckwheat; it's a lot easier than replacing kapok.

I have used a buckwheat-filled pillow for about 15 years, and every couple of years I replace the filling. I even noticed on Amazon FR that marketplace sellers sell buckwheat to fill pillows and zafus.