In this blog, I received a message from a customer who is experiencing foot discomfort with his new set of meditation cushions. Here is his message and my detailed response:
Hello, this is Justin. I am emailing in regards to order #385583. I received the cushion set and I am having some discomfort while using the Cosmic Cushion. I followed your website’s recommendation on the product seeing as how I am 6’1” and around 225 lbs. However, I find when I sit on the cushion I receive a ton of discomfort on my foot that is closest to the floor — to the point where I cannot sit for more than a few minutes at a time, which is very frustrating. Should I swap the Cosmic Cushion out for the largest zafu option you have available? And if so, how do I go about exchanging just the cushions? Please get back to me at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Hi Justin,
Thank you for your message and for your purchase.
Along with height and weight, the website also notes that your level of flexibility is a factor in choosing the best size Cosmic Cushion. To test your flexibility, sit on the floor in the cross-legged posture with no cushion at all. If your knees tend to stay up in the air, your flexibility is limited. If your knees drop toward the floor, you have average to good flexibility.
Given your height and weight, and if your flexibility is limited, the Oversize Cosmic Cushion is recommended. If you have good flexibility (less common in males), a Regular Lift Cosmic Cushion might work. You can check which you received by measuring the carry handle on the back — it should be about 7¼” to 7½” long on the Oversize.
I’ve also clarified that a Zafu is specifically a round meditation cushion. What you have is our own design called the Cosmic Cushion — a modification of the Zafu. You already have our largest cushion, so there is nothing larger to exchange it for.
That said, you mention the discomfort is in your foot — specifically the one closest to the floor. This suggests you may be placing one foot on top of the other, which puts a lot of pressure on the lower foot. You might try relaxing your posture and placing the second foot out in front of the other rather than on top of it. I personally sit with my right foot closest to me and my left foot furthest from me. Experiment to find what feels most natural for your body.
Sometimes, turning the foot so that the pressure is more on the top of the foot rather than the side (especially on that ankle bone that so inconveniently sticks out) can make a significant difference in comfort.
Something that might help further is this article I’ve written on leg numbness during meditation. Even if you’re not experiencing numbness, it’s very relevant to posture and pressure on the nerves in your legs:
Leg Numbness During Meditation: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It
Another option is to place some support under one or both knees. Roll up a small towel and tuck it under the knee to give it a little lift — this can reduce the pressure on the foot. We also sell a Meditation Knee Pillow Set designed specifically for this purpose, though a rolled towel works just as well for testing it out.
Finally, our bodies are very adaptive. When we are new to meditation, it can simply take time and experimentation to get comfortable with the cushions and posture. You may need to work through some discomfort at first — but eventually, even if some discomfort remains, your mind will learn to detach from it. It’s also perfectly okay to adjust your posture during meditation to find relief.
Don’t let anyone tell you that your posture or practice is wrong. Meditation is in the mind, and the most important part is learning to detach from thoughts and physical experiences. Keep experimenting, be patient with yourself, and you’ll find what works for you.
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