SeizaBench.com

Hugger Mugger Yoga Meditation Bench

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:07:54 +0000

The Hugger Mugger Yoga Meditation Bench, according to the manufacturer, is “the perfect companion for your yoga or Pilates practice,” but we feel it would work well for anyone looking for a well-made seiza meditation bench. Whether you practice yoga or are just looking for a more comfortable way to meditate, this bench may be what you are looking for.

For extended comfort during sitting meditation, this Hugger Mugger bench has a removable, washable 1-inch foam cushion. It is conveniently portable, due to its hinged folding legs and included drawstring carrying bag with a handle. This seiza/meditation bench is made from a nicely finished birch plywood.

Link: Hugger Mugger Yoga Meditation Bench

The Importance of Seiza in the Martial Arts

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:00:27 +0000

In addition to being a meditative position, as in zazen (seated meditation), seiza is the traditional manner of sitting in a variety of traditional Japanese martial arts, such as kendo, iaido, judo, jujitsu, karate, nunjutsu, as well as activities such as ikebana (flower arranging) and shodo (calligraphy).

The site below lists detailed instructions for seiza as it relates to Japanese martial arts.
Link: Seiza No Kamae – Ninjutsu

Bamboo Seiza/Meditation Bench

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:44:16 +0000

YogaTrader.com offers a unique eco-friendly folding meditation bench made of bamboo.

The Bamboo Meditation Bench reduces knee, hip, ankle and back stress with effortless spine alignment. The special curved bottom surface of the legs allow you to slightly adjust spine and pelvis alignment better than a fixed flat bottom bench. Tight hinged bench legs fold up for portability and storage. Made with beautiful and sustainable fast growing bamboo with an eco-friendly natural oil finish.

We have tried it and agree that it is a very comfortable, portable bench, especially with the optional cushion.

Update: This seiza bench is now available at Amazon.com.

Seiza Bench Plans: How to Make a Seiza Bench

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:19:59 +0000

If you are interested in using a seiza bench, but can’t afford one or simply want the experience of building one yourself, there is an excellent resource at MichiganBuddhist.com. Lee Braiden gives step-by-step instructions on how to build a seiza/meditation bench with very simple raw materials and some basic tools.

Click here for more details: How to Make a Seiza Bench

Meditation Video – “The Fly”

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:06:23 +0000

Here is an amusing video with a great lesson at the end:

The Importance of Seiza in the Martial Arts

Health Benefits of Meditation

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:48:49 +0000

HealthAndYoga.com has an interesting article that lists the top health benefits of meditation. They note that although meditation is traditionally considered a spiritual practice, it has many health benefits.

The yoga and meditation techniques are being implemented in management of life threatening diseases; in transformation of molecular and genetic structure; in reversal of mental illnesses, in accelerated learning programs, in perceptions and communications beyond the physical, in solving problems and atomic and nuclear physics; in gaining better ecological understanding; in management of lifestyle and future world problems.

Some of the listed health benefits are: lower oxygen consumption; decreased respiratory rate; increased blood flow and slowed heart rate; increased exercise tolerance in hearth patients; and deeper levels of relaxation.

For a complete list, click here.

Seiza Bench Plans: How to Make a Seiza Bench