*Japanese Floor Sitting Mats
*Eco friendly kapok filling
*Light, sleek floor sitting furniture
'za'bu tan: the 'sitting mat' which the zafu, smile cushion, or kneeling bench is placed on. These meditation mats provide essential cushioning for the feet, ankles and legs. They have been used for everyday sitting in Asia for centuries.
Kapok was used in tropical climates for centuries as a filling for sitting and sleeping mats (a.k.a. futons and zabutons).
Features
- Softer and more resilient than cotton batting.
- Hypoallergenic, dust mite & mold proof.
- More environmentally friendly (grown without herbacides, unlike cotton,
the most chemically laden crop). - Sustainable rainforest crop.
- Lighter (four pounds instead of seven).
- Lasts much longer (kapok cushions have been passed down for generations in India).
- Removable cover--sold separately--makes cleaning easy. Submerging in water may discolor the fabric. These covers prolong the life of the mat.
- Works in a pinch as a simple yoga mat or futon when two are placed side by side. Wrap in a sheet to hold them together and cover the crack between them. Also, three placed side by side make a wider bed. It is very comfortable and portable. For a real sleeping mat, see our Mini Futon.
- To choose a size that fits your needs, scroll to the bottom for information.
- For care instructions, scroll to the bottom.
Choosing a Size
We offer zabutons in three sizes. When you are carrying your zafu to a retreat or local sitting group, you want the most efficient size. A zabuton which offers extra knee room will be more of a challenge to carry. However, if that extra knee room is important to you, buy a larger mat. Some meditation halls and temples like our medium zabuton dimensions because it allows more people to meditate in a limited space.
Breaking In
A new zabuton may be exta "poofy", meaning it looks very thick. When you first take it out of the box before sitting on it, it almost looks like a giant throw pillow. When you sit on it, it goes down to a normal thickness. Within a short time the mat will compress to about two inches thick and consistent all around. It usually takes about fourty hours of sitting for the zabuton sitting mat to find its true nature. This process can be shortened considerably by sleeping on it, however, this usually requires two zabutons to make the length of a bed. (Depending on your height, you may need an extra cushion at the feet to make this long enough.) Our zabutons have been tested for years to reach the perfect balance of all-round comfort. It is best to have the minimal amount of padding underneath that is still comfortable (saves resources, money, and is easier to carry). The measurements cited on our website are taken after the zabuton is completely 'broken in'. You will need to occassionally fluff your zabuton (takes a few seconds) to help it maintain its optimal consistency.
zafu | zabuton | meditation bench | furniture for small spaces | inflatable zafu | kneeling chair | kneeling seat |
organic pillows | yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, yoga bolsters
Japanese kapok mini futon | eye pillows | kapok pillows | eco furniture | medite 2 | portable seiza bench | portable meditation cushion | meditation study desk | ergonomic office chair
zabuton on left is after broken in
zabuton on right is before broken in
John Adams,
Centerville, MA
| SIZE | DIMENSIONS | 100% Cotton Fabric | 100% Organic Fabric |
| medium | 25x31x2 | $46.00 | $53.50 |
| large | 27x34x2 | $54.00 | $61.50 |
| jumbo | 30x37x2 | $63.00 | $70.50 |
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size
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100% Cotton Fabric
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100% Organic Cotton Fabric
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medium
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$28.50
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$36.00
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large
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$32.00
|
$39.50
|
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jumbo
|
$35.00
|
$42.50
|
We love to talk--call us! |
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SEATS
Zafu Cushion
Peace Bench™
Sky Bench™
Smile Cushion™
Inflatable Zafu
Tilt Seat™
MATS
Zabuton
Mini Futon
Tatami Mat
Platform Bed
YOGA PROPS
Straps
Blocks
Bolsters
Sticky Mats
Blankets
Restorative Yoga Mat
FURNITURE
Desks
Chairs
Stand Up Desk
Zen Office™
Yoga Lounge™
Dynamic Office™
PILLOWS
Head Pillows
Eye Pillows
Body Pillows
Reading Pillows
Kapok Pillows
ACCESSORIES
Books/CDs
Beeswax Candles
Meditation Bells
Kapok and Buckwheat
Lavender Landscape
Incense
Gift Ideas
From top to bottom, colors on left are 100% Cotton: Purple, Navy Blue, Sage, Dark Green, Burgundy, and Black.
Colors on the right are 100% Organic Cotton: Lavender, Pecan, Cinnamon, Indigo, Moss, and Undyed Natural.