The Yoga Blanket
I would assume that a yoga blanket was to be worn in case of keeping warm in Savasana. I was so wrong. It did not happen until I spent money on my first proper yoga blanket that I noticed the power of it. This piece of clothing alone turned my practice that was merely a stretching routine into the journey of immense support and self-discovery. Hear me out how this poor prop can be your little secret, as well.
Why My Yoga Blanket is My Prop of Choice.
Years and years I had been resting upon my mat. But my practice felt limited. I could hardly sit up in pigeon pose as my hips were tight, and the knees screamed in hero pose. Afterwards, a teacher put a folded yoga blanket under my sit bones in a forward bends posture. The relief was instant. My back became straight, and the stretch was pulled by my hamstrings and all the way to my back. I was hooked.
A yoga blanket is not an addition of padding, but a device of intelligent alignment. It elevates the floor to the user and poses are available and viable. Here’s what it did for me:
Gives Necessary Support: The kneeling poses cushion bony joints, which safeguard my knees and ankles.
Newfound Pertinacity: Sitting on it, I am able to flex forward with my pelvis thereby forming a natural, healthy curve in the lower spine.
Intense lengthening: During a forward-fold pose, a blanket below my heels is used to stretch tight hamstrings.
Nurtured Calmness: Having the lightness of a blanket on Savasana is astonishingly calming, and it sends a message to my nervous system that it is safe to be in a total rest.
What to Get in Your Dream Yoga Blanket.
Blankets are not all made equally. The fluffy one on your couch will not give as steadfast support. Having tried some, I have now come to know what to expect.
Textile: I would use a thick, woven blanket of cotton or wool. It is strong enough to support and yet plush and insulating.
Size & Thickness: A typical size is large but make sure that it is large to fold up several times. The height of your lift is dependent on the thickness, thus a strong, say 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick when flat is best.
Longevity: My yoga blanket is folded, sat upon, stretched out. It must be robust and properly built so that it can be used on a regular basis without collapsing.
My Favorite Uses of a Yoga Blanket to the Mat.
This is the place of magic. The following are the ways I use my blanket on a weekly basis.
Seated Poses: A Happy Spine.
In any of the seated postures such as the Sukhasana (Easy Pose) or the cross-legged meditative stance, I always sit on the forward part of a well folded yoga blanket. This is just a lift that brings my hips higher than my knees so that my spine can assume its natural graceful curve. No more slouching!
To Knee and Hip Support: Say Goodbye to Discomfort.
My knees owe their thanks to these tricks:
Pigeon Pose: I put a folded blanket under my front full bent leg. It does not allow my hip to slump and forms a wonderful, supported stretch.
Hero Pose (Virasana): I cannot sit on the heels straight. Rather, I use a folded blanket to hold me between my sit bones and my heels in a comfortable and sustainable position.
In case of Restorative Yoga: Ultimate Relaxation.
Here my yoga blanket really flourishes as a means of intense relaxation.
Supported Child’s Pose: I support a rolled up blanket straight against my shins and lean my body on top of it. It feels like a hug.
Elevated Savasana: Tension in my lower back is relieved as I put a folded blanket under my knees in Corpse Pose. I also enjoy the feel of a single one loosely slung over my torso to give a weighted effect and feel calmer.
In the case of Bolster Substitution: Get Creative.
Don’t have a bolster? No problem! A yoga blanket that is rolled tightly is great. I place it under my knees in some reclines or my spine in some chest-openers that I support.
Beyond the Mat: The Two Lives of Beyond the Mat: My Blanket.
It is not the moment I roll up my mat when I can say goodbye to my yoga blanket. It’s incredibly versatile.
Meditation Aid: I practice on it as my specific meditation seat as on my mat.
Cozy Companion: It is just the right size to spread across my shoulders on a chilly morning on the porch with my tea.
Picnic Essential: It is heavyweight enough to spend some time at the park and way more serious than a single-use blanket.
Your Journey Awaits
One of the best choices I ever made in my practice was making an investment in a good quality yoga blanket. I learned that yoga is not about imposing poses on the body, but rather utilizing the equipment and tools to create space, comfort, and alignment. It is a little monetary cost that is compensated with an enormous physical comfort and psychological peace. Take a blanket, experiment, and make your practice change.
Short FAQs
So, what can I use when I do not have a yoga blanket?
Thanks to a strong, hardened beach towel or a caring couch cushion, could be used in case of emergency. Instead, they tend to be not dense enough to sustain any support.
What is the way I wash my yoga blanket?
Majority of cotton or wool blankets can be washed in cold water using the light cycle. I never use a dry cleaner so as to keep mine in the correct shape and fibers. First check the label of the manufacturer.
Is it possible to use a yoga blanket by an amateur?
Absolutely! I would like to have begun using one earlier. It is a great aid to the novice to know how to be properly aligned and make the poses more comfortable on the first day.
What is the difference between using a yoga blanket and a normal blanket?
A yoga blanket is actually made with specific design of thick, firm, and non-slip. An ordinary bed blanket can be too soft and fluffy, compressing easily and not offering the support that one needs.