What we are looking for in meditation is the right posture for your body that provides for the best abilities to meditate.

The posture in which your body is in is very much a role player in the type of experience that you have.  This is believed in many forms of alternative medicine and wellness.  In Yoga, there are a number of postures performed to get the desired results. 

If you are practicing Kum Ney, which is a type of Islamic prayer, there are postures beneficial here.  In Buddhist religious ceremonies, the posture of the body is very critical to the experience that the individual has in the prayer that they lead.

One of the most important elements in maintaining your posture is to keep your spine straight.  Although there is no proof medically speaking, it is believed that when the spine is correctly aligned, in a straight line, which it helps to benefit the state of mind that you are in.

If you have a problem with your spine and this is not comfortable for you, do not insist on it.  Most individuals will experience some discomfort during their first few experiences with this type of straightening of the back.  For most, this will go away after you get used to it.  If it is pain, though, don’t force yourself to do this.

You may be tempted to meditate in a lying down position.  Although this position does work, it often causes individuals that are new to meditation to fall asleep.  Therefore, unless you know that you can refrain from sleeping; try to use the sitting up position.