The History Of Yoga Bolsters

The History of the Yoga Bolster

The use of supportive props in modern yoga is closely associated with B.K.S. Iyengar and the development of Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar emphasized precision, alignment, and making yoga postures accessible to people with different physical abilities and levels of experience. He pioneered the systematic use of props such as blocks, blankets, belts, benches, chairs, and bolsters to help students achieve proper alignment and experience postures with greater stability and support.

While supportive cushions and bolsters existed in other forms before their widespread use in modern yoga, the yoga bolster became an established part of contemporary yoga practice through the broader development of yoga props during the 20th century. Iyengar's teaching methods helped popularize the use of props in yoga studios around the world. Today, bolsters are commonly found in restorative yoga classes and are also used in many other styles of practice for support, alignment, comfort, and longer-held poses.