Which Meditation Cushion Is Right for You? Wedge vs. Crescent vs. Zabuton

Short answer: Choose a wedge cushion if you meditate in a chair, a crescent cushion if you sit cross-legged on the floor, and a zabuton as a padded base beneath a floor cushion to cushion the knees and ankles. Many floor meditators use a crescent and a zabuton together. All three are handcrafted in pure silk and wool, following the tradition Paramahansa Yogananda taught.

Quick comparison

Cushion	Where you sit	Best for
Wedge	On a chair seat	Chair meditators; sensitive knees, hips, or back
Crescent	On the floor	Cross-legged floor sitting with reasonably open hips
Zabuton	Under a floor cushion	Cushioning knees and ankles on a hard floor

The Wedge — for meditating in a chair

A chair seat slopes gently backward, which rolls the pelvis back and collapses the lower-back curve, so you either slump or fight to stay upright. The Silk & Wool Wedge Cushion is tapered higher at the back to tilt the pelvis forward, restoring the natural lumbar curve so the spine rises with ease. It is our most-loved seat and ideal for anyone whose knees, hips, or back make floor sitting difficult. Pair it with a silk & wool chair blanket for the traditional insulated seat — full setup in our chair meditation guide.

Best for

Chair meditators; older practitioners; anyone with knee, hip, or back limitations; travelers who meditate at a center or on the road.

The Crescent — for sitting on the floor

The Silk & Wool Crescent Cushion raises and tilts the hips so the knees can settle and the spine stacks naturally above the pelvis. Its crescent shape cradles the thighs, which many find kinder than a round zafu. Sit it directly on the floor, or on a zabuton for extra insulation and knee comfort.

Best for

Cross-legged floor sitting for practitioners with reasonably open hips who prefer a grounded, traditional seat.

The Zabuton — the padded base beneath it all

A zabuton is a flat, padded mat placed under your cushion to cushion the knees and ankles against a hard floor and to mark the space as set apart for practice. It is not a seat on its own — it pairs with a crescent or zafu on top.

Best for

Anyone sitting on a hard floor, or whose knees and ankles need extra padding under a floor cushion.

How to decide in one line

• Meditate in a chair → Wedge (add a chair blanket).
• Sit cross-legged on the floor → Crescent (add a Zabuton if the floor is hard).
• Want the full traditional floor seat → Crescent + Zabuton + a silk & wool asana mat.

All of our cushions are pure silk over pure wool, following the tradition Yogananda taught, and are made to hold their shape for years. Still unsure? See choosing your meditation seat.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a zafu and a zabuton?

A zafu (or crescent) is the raised cushion you sit on to lift the hips; a zabuton is the flat padded mat you place under it to cushion the knees and ankles. They are used together for a complete floor seat.

Which cushion is best for meditating in a chair?

A wedge cushion. Its forward tilt corrects the chair’s backward slope so your spine stays upright without effort. A crescent or zabuton is for floor sitting, not chairs.

Do I need both a crescent and a zabuton?

Not necessarily. The crescent alone works on carpet or a soft rug. On a hard floor, a zabuton underneath protects the knees and ankles and makes longer sittings far more comfortable.

How high should a meditation cushion be?

High enough that your hips sit clearly above your knees and the pelvis tilts slightly forward, letting the lower back keep its natural curve. If your knees float well above your hips, you need more height.

Why silk and wool instead of foam?

Silk and wool follow the tradition Yogananda taught — wool insulates the body from the cold floor and the earth’s subtle currents, silk is smooth and enduring, and both last for years rather than flattening like foam. See why wool matters.

Choose the seat your body forgets — and let your practice deepen from there.