I've been playing for a few months now, still learning the ropes of the instrument. My guru teaches via Skype and has been correcting my posture each week. Recently, she noticed that I place the tumba on my foot ( I saw this on some online videos) and she said it is considered disrespecting the instrument as it is touching your feet.

I grew up in India (but my family was raised catholic) so I am not alien to these more Hindu/South Asian traditions. I am looking for some resources on proper posture that doesn't damage the tumba when it comes in contact with the floor instead of my flesh. Any advice? My guru has told me to just keep it on the ground and near my foot, but I end up slouching on the tumba and that seems dangerous. It's also a relatively old (15 years ) sitar so I don't want to risk any more damage to it than it's already taken.