In addition to our ever-growing selection of organic fashions, we offer the best in organic floor seating choices. While we offer the Organic Back Jack Floor Chair, we are also an authorized dealer for Organic Kapok Zafu and Zabuton Cushions by Carolina Morning. What truly sets this American company apart is their dedication to innovated yet simple designs – all manufactured in their small North Carolina facility. See their great site at: http://www.zafu.net/. Our line of purely organic cushions by Carolina Morning are filled with a resilient and soft, hypoallergenic kapok material which is environmentally better than conventional cotton filling. So what’s the difference between a zafu and zabuton cushion anyway?

The zafu “seat” is actually an ancient Asian design from centuries ago. Its shape is characteristically “round” - very similar to a buckeye. This shape makes the zafu great for meditation, yoga, and even a bolster for stretching the back. Its kapok filling holds its shape over time. It’s firm, balanced, yet so soft to the touch.

Included in the zafu seat category is the Organic Kapok Smile Cushion. This seat acts in the same manner as a zafu with one exception. It’s a crescent shaped zafu that essentially provides greater surface area for your seat. Plus, its shape helps keep legs from falling asleep. Also, some find its shape more comfortable during longer meditation sessions. The smile cushion can also act as a great bolster, or pillow on a couch or futon.

The zabuton “sitting mat” is generally placed under a zafu cushion. What the zabuton will do is provide cushioning for ankles and feet. The zabuton can also work as a simple futon-style resting mat when two are positioned side by side. The zafu and zabuton traditionally work together, but it’s not necessary. Some find it best when each is used independently, or with other style cushions.

Check out all of our great deals on organic floor cushions:

http://www.organicsbeyond.com/catalog/catalog.asp?CID=194&CI=4213

How do I sit on a zafu and zabuton?

There are many sitting choices to choose from. Our friends at Carolina Morning have some suggestions. See their web page:
http://www.zafu.net/whichcush.html

Thank you and please give us your thoughts anytime.

As one of the leading online retailers for the Back Jack Floor Chair *see our original alternative- seating web shop: www.floorseating.com, we have had many, many inquiries over the years for an organic cotton version of this unique floor chair.

Now, we are very happy to announce the addition of an organic cotton version of the ever-popular Back Jack Floor Chair! For those who know, the patented Back Jack Floor Chair is quite unique – allowing the user to sit comfortably on the floor for long periods of time. Whether it is meditation, yoga, reading, dining, etc, the Organic Cotton Back Jack Chair is the comfortable alternative.

At this time, the organic cotton Back Jack is only available in Black and Natural original non-folding chair. We love the look and feel of both. Try both colors together – the black and natural complement each other very nicely. Also, did you know? We offer quantity discount of mix or match colors of ten or more chairs!

The fabric is slightly softer than Back Jacks' "tuff-duck" cotton. Our favorite is the natural color – reminiscent of that non-dyed look of a typical organic cotton grocery tote. We encourage you to give us your thoughts and musings on the great new Organic BackJack, or anything thing else.

Relax a little easier in an Organic Back Jack Chair!

In a time when environmental responsibility can seem like more of a marketing catchphrase than a substantive production ethic, Onno Textiles is an example of a company that is doing it right. Located in Boulder, Colorado, Onno produces "socially responsible t-shirts" for individual, wholesale and private label sales. These shirts are produced from sustainable fibers (organic cotton, bamboo and hemp) using socially responsible manufacturing, meaning Onno is invested in the product throughout the entire process from seed to store. They even buy carbon offsets to account for the environmental costs of shipping products.

Beyond investing in production, Onno makes an effort to inform their customers through their website, www.onnotextiles.com. The unique qualities and benefits of each material are showcased in an irreverent and refreshingly honest manner. Concerned about the effects of caustic soda used to process bamboo? So are they and they don't mind telling you so. They’re also strong advocates for legalizing industrial hemp farming in the United States. Their website is chock full of information about the raw materials they use, how they are turned into t-shirts and why you should care.

Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Onno didn't start out as an eco-oriented business. According to their website, they have transitioned to their current model, "in order to feel energized and passionate about our products." Onno Textiles clothes are economically, environmentally and socially conscious, adding up to a product that feels great to a customer’s skin, wallet and conscience.

Yoga should help you focus on your mind and body, not your clothes. However, to get the most out of your yoga routine, prior thought must be put into your attire. Any clothes that are comfortable and provide free range of movement will suffice, but clothes specifically intended for yoga are the best option. They are comfortably designed to fit loosely enough so as not to constrict movement with materials that further enhance the experience. Yoga apparel absorbs sweat and dries quickly, and also utilizes flat seams to prevent chafing.

A complete yoga wardrobe is comprised of five basic essentials: pants, shorts, top, cover up, socks, or shoes. Each article of clothing can be as stylish, or simple, as your individual taste desires. Yoga provides an occasion to free your mind; do not restrict yourself with something as superficial as clothing styles. Yoga pants should have a slight flair, so they’re not too tight around the legs, but should be short enough so that they do not impede movements if caught under the foot. For a warmer studio or doing yoga outside on a warm day, wear yoga shorts that provide the same comfortable fit without the added heat. Yoga tops come in countless styles. Choose from long or short sleeved, tank tops, or camisoles. Because comfort is vital in yoga, a cover up is something to have on hand. On cold days, or in an air-conditioned building, having a comfortable extra layer of warmth ensures nothing negatively affects your yoga practice.

Last but not least, essential yoga attire article is shoes or socks. Some people could not imagine doing yoga in anything except bare feet, but shoes or socks provide comfort and safety. They provide traction for certain poses, and ensure good hygiene if you do yoga in a public setting. The shoes are similar to athletic footwear, but are thinner and lighter with a breathable top. Yoga socks are made out of a breathable material and have non-slip grips on the bottom.

Because yoga is centered on finding harmony and balance in your life, many yoga enthusiasts apply these principles to their yoga attire with organic clothing. By opting for the organic solutions, you are helping to protect the health of the environment. The label of “organic” refers to the way the cotton is manufactured and grown, geared toward the earth, not mass production for the body. Innovative thinking and general concern for the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants replace harmful herbicides and pesticides. Even though organic materials often cost more than non-organic, its worth can carry no price tag!

There has never been a better time to switch over to organic clothing because there has never been a time where the environment needed us as much as it does now. The world has a view of organic clothing being somewhat outdated. We picture Woodstock, tie-dye, and oversized sweaters as being part of the organic movement, without ever looking into the facts. The fact of the matter is that organic clothing is becoming extremely popular because it’s not only made out of renewable and eco-friendly fabrics, but it’s also extremely trendy and stylish.

Organic clothing is made out of natural products, which cut down on the amount of waste that is put into the air and water when it is produced. Most people probably do not realize how harmful synthetic materials are for the environment, but they truly do a lot of damage. None of the plants that are used to make this organic clothing are treated with chemicals either, which means that they are better for your skin as well. Anything that falls into the organic category must pass a number of tests in order to be considered as such. This means that you know exactly what you are getting when you purchase organic clothing.

When chemicals are used to treat our clothing, we’re automatically exposing ourselves to things to which we were not meant to be exposed. This can lead to significant health problems in the future, so it is definitely something that is worth looking into. One reason that people often question the production of organic clothing is that it is often associated with hemp production. It all depends on what the plant is being grown for and when hemp is grown for clothing production, it is one of the most useful existing plants.

Our carbon footprints, in general, are getting out of control, so something must be done in order to slow this process down. Buying organic clothing might seem like a small thing to do for the environment, but its impact can be long lasting. The damage that our clothing is doing to the environment is major, as the factories that create these clothes are constantly pumping pollution into our air and water. In addition, cultivating things like cotton and then using synthetic material requires much more power than simply using organic materials. In the end, there are countless reasons as to why it’s a good idea to start wearing organic clothing. The choice is up to you, but doing your part for the environment has never been this easy.