Product Description These handmade meditation benches are perfect for taking the pressure off your ankles while kneeling during meditation. So many "westerners" are unused to kneeling that many of us simply can't use the traditional position for any length of time. These benches take all the pressure off the ankles and vastly ease the pressure on the knees. The first time you use one a HUGE smile will creep over your face as you realize how much more comfortable it is than a pillow or even a non-padded bench. These are created one at a time by Ananda Woodworking of out of their shop in California. We love these benches since they are clearly made with a great deal of attention to their finish and detail - plus the padding holds up to lots of use. While these are "technically" the TALL version of the bench, we know people from 5' to 6'2" have found them perfectly comfortable. Most people find the tall a bit more comfortable simply because your knees don't have to bend quite as much. The tops have a layer of foam covered with cotton batting and topped by cotton fabric. Of course you can get meditation benches with a wood top, but these are so much more comfortable. A nice heavy hinge on both legs lets them fold flat - perfect for travel or just stowing out of the way. They are a little stiff on purpose so they won't flop open (or closed) and they don't make any noise if you shift during a group class session. We usually have at least a couple different colors in stock. If you're buying for someone else, "black" or "natural" is usually pretty safe. The "in-store favorite" is Burgundy - almost a "plum" color. Very nice if we have them in stock. Though do be careful as we understand not ALL vendors selling this bench under this listing are selling "Tall" benches. From the Manufacturer These handmade meditation benches are perfect for taking the pressure off your ankles while kneeling during meditation. So many "westerners" are unused to kneeling that many of us simply can't use the traditional position for any length of time. These benches take all the pressure off the ankles and vastly ease the pressure on the knees. The first time you use one a HUGE smile will creep over your face as you realize how much more comfortable it is than a pillow or even a non-padded bench. These are created one at a time by Ananda Woodworking of out of their shop in California. We love these benches since they are clearly made with a great deal of attention to their finish and detail - plus the padding holds up to lots of use. While these are "technically" the TALL version of the bench, we know people from 5' to 6'2" have found them perfectly comfortable. Most people find the tall a bit more comfortable simply because your knees don't have to bend quite as much. The tops have a layer of foam covered with cotton batting and topped by cotton fabric. Of course you can get meditation benches with a wood top, but these are so much more comfortable. A nice heavy hinge on both legs lets them fold flat - perfect for travel or just stowing out of the way. They are a little stiff on purpose so they won't flop open (or closed) and they don't make any noise if you shift during a group class session. We usually have at least a couple different colors in stock. If you're buying for someone else, "black" or "natural" is usually pretty safe. The "in-store favorite" is Burgundy - almost a "plum" color. Very nice if we have them in stock. Though do be careful as we understand not ALL vendors selling this bench under this listing are selling "Tall" benches.
I**.
Much stable! So peace.
This meditation bench is the best material thing to happen to my practice in a long time. It makes it so much easier to keep my back straight than it is while sitting on a zafu with my legs in the lotus position, half-lotus, just crossed normally, or with one calf in front of the other.I've needed to improvise a little to arrange things so I'm comfortable and there isn't too much pressure on the tops of my feet: I use a foam rubber zabuton that's about an inch and a half thick. I put the bench on the back of the zabuton and then I have a small square of carpet that I put on the floor immediately behind the zabuton, which gives me a place to rest the tops of my feet that isn't quite at the same elevation as the zabuton, so my knees (which are on the zabuton) are just a wee bit higher than the tops of my feet, which hugely reduces stress and strain and pressure on my ankles and feet.I've read one reviewer saying the bench folded under them and dropped them on their butt while they were meditating; I can't imagine how that could be possible without one being almost deliberately careless in the opening of the bench (*and* moving from side to side a LOT while meditating...which is not a component of actual meditation, so if you're doing that, you're not actually meditating - you're fidgeting, which is not the same thing). Maybe if you had the bench on a slippery surface and a whole bunch of other unlikely conditions concurred (including your moving from side to side a LOT while meditating), it might possibly lead to such an outcome...but I still can't imagine it. Open the legs deliberately, making sure they're fully open, and ideally don't put the bench on a slippery surface, and it will be pretty much impossible for it to collapse during use.Enjoy. I certainly do.
A**N
perfect for my meditation retreat
I've had this bench for a month or two, and just took it on a week-long meditation retreat. It fit in my carry-on suitcase (amazing!). I used it for six 45-minute sits and two 30-minute sits per day, and it was as comfortable as I could possibly hope for. I'm 5' 8.25" tall, and I ordered the "tall" bench. The height and angle were perfect for me. Toward the end of the retreat, later in the day I was aware of discomfort or mild pain in my knees, shins, and ankles, but this was after 5 days of doing this! It was much less than previous retreats I've done alternating between a zafu and a different bench. But I'm pretty confident that I would have had much less comfort with the "standard" height bench.The cushion being attached is really a great design. The last night and morning of the retreat, I used a bench provided by the retreat center (since mine was already packed). It had a separate cushion that slid around, and I had a difficult time finding a position where it would stay in place, and also be comfortable. I'm so glad I had mine for most of the retreat!The materials appear strong and durable, the bench is sturdy, and the wood is quite beautiful. In summary, I am very happy with this purchase, and hope to use it for many years.
N**D
As always, excellent
Simple and easy to use. If you are older like me, you will still need a pillow for your ankles. I highly recommend
R**R
I'm 6 foot 2 and got the "tall" size but it's still too small
It's really uncomfortable because it's so low to the ground. I can't use this. It is sturdy and and crafted well. The quality and construction are excellent but I do not recommend for people at and over 6 foot tall
J**S
Best bench that allows proper knee circulation
I've had this bench for two years and have to say the people at Ananda Village truly keep the elderly in mind when designing the size of this bench. It rises up enough to seat comfortably but most importantly allow for proper circulation throughout the legs. I've returned two other amazon benches from other companies because they were two short and my leg would fall asleep near the knee. Great work Ananda Village!
A**C
High quality materials, prompt delivery
I am familiar with this organization (Ananda) from their Washington mediation and yoga group, and purchased the bench from the California group. It is well made from genuine materials and had no chemical /glue smell coming out of the box. It is extremely sturdy; the folding mechanism is silent and easy, and the seat is comfortable. I am 5'7 female and will likely need to place a folded towel beneath my shins (bench is made for average height person, not woman-specific) to have complete alignment, but very happy with angle of foldout legs and overall positioning. Highly recommend - Ananda products are handcrafted on their ranch in CA, and are an excellent option for your practice
M**Z
Fully functional, way overpriced
I like this bench. It's fairly comfortable, though might do with a tad more padding. My only complaint is it would be really easy to build the same thing for about $25. I'd recommend looking at DIY sites first and then asking whether your time is worth the extra $65.
E**C
Great bench, even for a bigger fella!
What a beautiful and well made item! I can't wait to use it, but while just testing it out I realized how tight my quads are, lol! I'm so used to sitting on a Zafu and Zabuton... With some stretching I know I'll love this. The cushion is comfy and the bench just feels solid. While I realize it's new, the hinges are nice and tight and the legs stay in position. I did notice that the bench has a habit of sliding, so I think I might add a rubber strip or something to the bottom of the legs. All in all, I'm extremely (and mindfuly) happy! :)
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