We’re bluffing, yoga blanket – you’re so much more than a comfortable blanket in yoga’s ultimate relaxation posture, savasana!
It’s true – a modest blanket that you can use in different ways throughout a class provides just the right amount of weight, softness and support in a whole range of yoga postures. Discover how one or two blankets can help you feel elevated, grounded and fully supported during your yoga practice.
Strengthen Your Sitting
Start your practice in an elevated position – with a square blanket. Sitting in a simple cross-legged posture (sukhasana) on a folded blanket during opening meditation or pranayama encourages the spine to stay elevated and provides a gentle yet firm point of support for the bones of the spine.
You can take this support to an even higher level by wrapping a long, folded blanket around the lower back and torso, like a firm, wide belt. This binding effect provides comfortable support for the spine and allows you to remain upright for longer. What’s more, the tall, straight torso allows you to breathe fully and easily, which is perfect for pranayama.
For seated forward bends, such as dandhasana, place the pins on the edge of a folded blanket to raise the hips. This little push makes it easier to bend forward. Need a little more height? No problem, just place the blanket at the height your body needs to stretch comfortably towards the toes.
Brace Your Bones
Sometimes you don’t realize how bony your knees are until you kneel on a hard floor! Show your knees some love and cushion the impact with a folded blanket placed directly under your knees in positions such as
Roll With It!
A rolled blanket offers a nice, soft, borderless shape to eliminate the empty space between your body and the floor in many back poses. Try the rolled blanket:
Mini back roll – For a simple chest opening, place your upper back on a rolled blanket while in Savasana.
Savasana – Place a rolled blanket under your ankles, knees and neck – you’ll be surprised how much this little addition brings an “ahhhh” to the pose!
Touch Yourself and Let Go
When you want to focus your weight on a specific area to relax your muscles, grab a blanket. Add the warmth factor and you’ve got the winning combination for a sense of security and focus.
Balasana – Place a folded blanket over your sacrum to encourage your back to melt into the ground.
Jathara parivartanasana (twisting abdominal posture) – Wrap a folded blanket over the top of the leg to force the long, strong bones of the leg to relax and descend towards the ground.
Conclusion
This way, there’s really no reason for the blanket to stay on the shelf until the end of the class! Start rolling, folding and stacking and you’ll discover that you can get even more out of exercising with the blanket.
Wondering which blanket is right for you? Choose from our organic cotton yoga blankets or our thicker wool blankets if you need more warmth.