Yoga Blankets
If you’re new to yoga, then you’re probably confused. There’s more to yoga than just a mat and a pair of yoga pants? Just like any other fitness studio, there is plenty of equipment that you can use, many of which you probably won’t have in your own home. What’s so great about practicing yoga is that there are no monstrous devices worth thousands of dollars that you need in order to get in a proper workout. In yoga, instead of weights and pull up bars, we have yoga balls and blocks and blankets!
What is a yoga blanket?
A yoga blanket is a prop that helps not only with comfort, but to improve poses and offer support on rather difficult movements that might cause stress in certain parts of the body. Using a blanket during a yoga session can help to provide support to your legs, lower back, neck, shoulders, or any other area of the body that is causing you discomfort or pain. Yoga blankets are particularly used in restorative yoga practices and Asana yoga.
How do you use yoga blankets?
When practicing stretches, for some it can be very difficult to touch their toes without bending their knees or flexing their toes. If this is a problem for you, try folding up a yoga blanket and placing it on your stomach, closing some of the gap between your fingers and your toes, and reducing the pain you might feel in your back or calves.
To most, the Corpse Pose would be considered the easiest ‘stretch,’ but to others with pre existing back problems, that isn’t the case. The Corpse Pose is just laying down on your back with your limbs relaxed at your sides. If this causes you any pain, try adding a yoga blanket or two underneath your head, back, legs, or wherever gives you the most comfort.
The Child’s Pose usually consists of you sitting on your knees with your head down and your arms reaching flat on the ground. This can be strenuous work for some on the knees, back, or other areas, so try placing the yoga blanket either below your knees for that extra support, or in between your folded thighs and knees to release some of the building up pressure.
The Pigeon Pose is a great stretch for opening up your legs, and to release any soreness after a workout, but it can also be difficult if your body isn’t used to bending like that. Start with getting into regular pigeon pose form, one leg bent towards the body and the other straight behind you with your back straight and arms on either side of you for support - but place the yoga blanket under your outstretched thigh to ease tensions and help you reach that stretch in the most comfortable way for you!