What is a zafu, why and how should I use it?

By Lis Griffin on | Categories: Meditation, Power in the Pause

A zafu is commonly referred to a cushion that supports you. At Catspaw Studio we fill ours with
organic buckwheat hulls so its supports and conforms to your body. If you practice yoga or meditation or just simply like to sit on the floor, it can help take the press off your back and make it easier to sit for an extended period of time. You can use it a variety  of ways.

A translation of zafu is a cushion for sitting, where “za” means “sitting” or “to sit,” and “fu” means “cushion, bolster, a long pillow or cushion that provides support”; it can also mean “strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, or renew.”

We use a zafu to support us. We also want to have support and good posture as explained by WindMind.

Whether you meditate, sitting on the floor every day is a good habit to get into.  At Catspaw Studio we use festive fabrics that inspire with the hope that you well take a moment.

the key is in the pause

cartoons by Matt Holman, and Ian Beck Cross

because sitting with your truth takes courage

By bscsupport on | Categories: Meditation, Power in the Pause

Because sitting with your truth takes courage – spiritual growth is hard work, pause and ponder. Inside the Belly of the Whale journal is your journey.

Want to practice meditation but can’t get comfortable

By Lis Griffin on | Categories: Meditation

Everyone’s talking about how meditation and mindfulness and how it will be a great benefit to you.  You want to practice meditation but can’t get comfortable 🙁

The truth is, you have to prepare your body and notice if you have any body issues,  before sitting and focusing on the breath.

It is really challenging to sit in stillness as a beginner and even for someone that practices meditation a lot it can be hard to be still because life changes all the time.  We all need guidance from time to time. Questions to ask:

How long can I sit today? Can I sit on the floor? Are my hips and hamstrings tight today?

You can it on a chair or the floor or against the wall but it is still important to prepare your body before you sit because, if you’re not comfortable your meditation will always be about the physical discomfort.

Traditionally yoga was a practice to prepare the body to sit in meditation.

If you’re preparing a 5k run and you haven’t run in a year you might want to train a few weeks before the race. That is what coming to stillness is,  preparing your body to sit.

Prepare your body to sit, so you can be comfortable when you come to meditation.

Here is a short video from Yoga Journal.

Is there a color that inspires Pausing?

By Lis Griffin on | Categories: Meditation, Power in the Pause

There are all kinds of articles that the psychology of colors, and the topic is fascinating.  There are countless articles and books about how we respond to color. There is a lot of money spent on what will be the trendy colors for the seasons, for everything from cars to fashion.  When it comes to meditation cushions, yoga props or zafus, the tradition has been austere, dark solid colors. Is there a color that inspires pausing?  So the simple answer – the color that we choose for a cushion depends on our taste. (updated blog post)

Yellow: Stimulates joy and uplifts the mind

Orange: Stirs up energy and boosts confidence

Fat Tuesday may be your path to Mindfulness

By Lis Griffin on | Categories: Health and Healing, Meditation, Power in the Pause