The meditation bench has its roots in Zen Buddhist monk meditation rites and can aid in the meditation experience by allowing for greater circulation in the legs.
The kneeling bench, or Seiza bench, is a small wooden bench that is placed behind the individual starting his or her meditation session while kneeling. The meditation bench then allows the individual to have greater circulation in the legs from a less constricted posture since the buttocks come to rest on the bench rather than going down to a full Japanese-style kneeling position. In addition, the angle of the body then keeps less stress on muscles and allows a more restful experience.

"The aim of a meditation cushion or bench is to allow an alert but restful position which enhances breathing and stimulates the 'relaxation response,’" says Patrick Clark, owner of Carolina Morning Designs, on his web site. "This is accomplished with a seat that tilts the pelvis forward, to allow the natural curvature of the spine."

Clark’s store carries a number of different benches that facilitate meditation opportunities as well as bench covers and other meditation pillows.

Most such benches are designed with multiple styles of meditation posture in mind – Burmese, Sky and Kneeling – to allow for the practitioner to have the greatest flexibility in a single bench. Conventional styles include folding legs on hinges that make the benches easily portable.

The benches seem to be popular with today’s new age supplicants.

"Having them made all the difference," says California resident Ruchama Burrell of her Carolina Morning Designs meditation bench. "For the first time in a long time I could sit without discomfort or having to move around to relieve pressures on my legs and hips. The five-day retreat would not have been as effective for me without [the] bench and zabuton. Now that I am at home I still use them in preference to the kneeling chair I had before."

In addition to traditional meditation benches, practitioners can also avail themselves of the zafu, a rounded cushion that accomplishes a position similar to those facilitated by a meditation bench but is less rigid and gives more. Some find the zafu more comfortable because it is a simple cushion. Cushioned covers, however, are available for most meditation benches.

Those looking to support the Dharma with a purchase of a meditation bench will find they cost $60-80 for a solid wood model. Cushions add another $20-30.