Why NumenAir?

As a meditator who likes to travel and hike, I’m often away from home and my good old cushion. I’ve sat on hotel pillows, bunched-up sweaters, sleeping bags, logs and rocks, and this has worked just fine. After all, meditation is the main thing – not what you’re sitting on.

A few years ago, I spent a lot of time on the road. Across the Atlantic, a close family member needed help, and I wanted to be with her as much as I could. My day job necessitated a growing number of trips. Our kids lived far away, as did some good friends, including an old college buddy with whom I used to do a lot of hiking. We started backpacking again and have since wandered in some amazing places. When I could, I’d tack a backpacking break onto business trips and visits to family and friends.

During those peripatetic years (i.e., before COVID-19), I learned to travel light. Unless there is an excellent reason, I never check a bag on flights. Combining backcountry and city trips taught me to bring only well-made, versatile things that I know I’m going to use. Everything has to pack into a carry-on backpack and be as lightweight and compact as possible. For me, the upsides of traveling light are greater than the downsides. In addition to being easy on the back, I like the autonomy of getting by almost anywhere with what I carry myself, the freedom to move quickly, and the reduced friction of traveling.

As a gear nerd who researches what through-hikers recommend in the way of ultralight kit before buying anything, I started looking for an inflatable meditation cushion that I could bring on my trips. When backpacking, I use an inflatable air mattress and pillow, both of which are very light, compact, and comfortable. Surely someone made something similar for meditators?

I looked around, but all I could find was too heavy and bulky. And so started the NumenAir idea. Designed in Denmark with a nod to form-meets-function minimalism, it’s an inflatable meditation cushion that’s as lightweight and compact as possible. I made some drawings, found a supplier in China that produced lightweight inflatable backpacking gear, took a trip to the bank and a deep breath, and went through a few prototypes. The first shipment arrived at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. It didn’t seem to be the best time to launch a travel accessory, but here we are.

I hope the NumenAir inflatable meditation cushion will help your practice wherever you go. Be happy!

T.