Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free

Can I meditate lying down?

Andy Puddicombe

Oct 11, 2023

In this article

  • Question
  • Andy's answer

Question:

Is it OK to meditate lying flat on your back?

blog-generic-850x315-1-33 (WP)

Andy's answer:

This is a very popular question, and from a real purist point of view, meditation can be done in one of four postures: standing, sitting, lying and walking. However, it is not quite as straightforward as that, and here’s why:

Sitting is the optimal position. It provides the perfect balance of focus and relaxation, or at least the potential for it. And yes, sitting on a chair is fine. When the body is upright, both the body and mind tend to be alert and attentive. At the same time, when we are seated, there is a certain degree of letting go and relaxation that takes place. Compare this to lying down, when most people immediately feel a little bit too relaxed and drift off to sleep, or standing, when most people feel a bit too tense after just a few minutes of standing still in one place. Walking is another thing altogether.

So generally speaking, sitting is always preferable to lying. The one exception is if we find ourselves in too much pain or discomfort to sit. In these situations, of course it is OK to lie flat on the floor as an alternative. If you decide to do this, I’d recommend placing a thin pillow under your head and bending your knees to 90 degrees so that your feet are flat on the floor. That way you’ll protect your lower back without placing any additional strain on it.

Warm wishes,

Andy

Try for free
Meditation Tips: How to Sit for a Meditation

Meditation Tips: How to Sit for a Meditation

2 mins

Start your day w/ Smile Sun
Start your day w/ Smile Sun

Be kind to your mind

  • Access the full library of 500+ meditations on everything from stress, to resilience, to compassion
  • Put your mind to bed with sleep sounds, music, and wind-down exercises
  • Make mindfulness a part of your daily routine with tension-releasing workouts, relaxing yoga, Focus music playlists, and more

Annual - billed at $69.99 USD/yr

14 days free

$5.83 USD/month

Best value

Monthly

7 days free

$12.99 USD/month

Start your free trial
Start your day w/ Smile Sun

Similar articles

Meditation and mindfulness for any mind, any mood, any goal

visual-dotcom homepage editorial hero desktop-general-202001008-kh
visual-dotcom homepage editorial hero desktop-general-202001008-kh

Meditation

  • What is meditation
  • Meditation for beginners
  • Benefits of meditation
  • Guided meditation
  • Meditation techniques
See more

Stay in the loop

Be the first to get updates on our latest content, special offers, and new features.

By signing up, you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from Headspace. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details, check out our Privacy Policy.

Get some Headspace

  • Send a gift
  • Redeem a code
  • Student Plan
  • All articles
  • Subscribe
  • Headspace for Work
  • Administrator Portal
  • Explore our content library

About Us

Support

My Headspace

Login
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice

Get the app

  • Download app - Apple: EN
  • Download app - Android: EN
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice