Importance of Asana Options

Well, it seemed that I have a bony arse (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) and I can only meditate in an asana "comfortably" for a max of 3 hours nonstop before I really have to -painfully- get up and try to get my leg and arse blood flowing again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/00000064.gif) In the end of my long meditations, one of my leg would be so damn cold, I lost feeling to it, pains, cramps and spasm, and I think any of you who meditate for a long time know what I am talking about here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/004.gif)

I need to meditate comfortably and for longer hours, and this does not seemed possible in a short time since I reckon I need more practice and leg stretchings. So I guess in the meantime, I need to find a way around this.

My temporary solution is to try the zen meditation benches below:
(IMG:http://www.samadhicushions.com/samadhi/images/benches_bar.jpg)

My question is, how important is asana to meditation? How does different asana (specificallly lotus posture) helps us? Does asana -only- helps to discipline the body and mind?

PS: and btw, I'd like custom order a cushion for my meditation since I have not find anything suitable yet. Any recommendation for the fillings please? I am thinking of kapok, since I am not aware of anymore available fillings comfortable for meditation cushions. I think I saw some kind of "beans" (saw it sold in local jap store years ago) used as a fillings in japanese matress/cushion but not sure what is the "bean" name and where to find this again. Thanks for any help.

This post has been edited by | Kinjo: Nov 21 2005, 03:52 AM

I have bad knees, I guess. I can't sit for longer than a half hour before real pain sets in. Dammit, and I'm only 23 years old!