What Is a Yoga Blanket
A yoga blanket is a versatile yoga prop used to provide support, cushioning, elevation, and warmth during a yoga practice. Unlike a typical household blanket, a traditional yoga blanket is generally made from a firm, durable fabric that can be folded or rolled into different shapes while maintaining enough structure to support the body. Yoga blankets are commonly made from cotton, cotton blends, or wool and are often woven more firmly than blankets intended primarily for sleeping or decoration.
The versatility of a yoga blanket comes from its ability to change shape. It can be folded into a firm cushion, rolled into a long support, or opened completely to cover the body. A blanket can be used under the hips, knees, wrists, back, or shoulders, or placed over the body during relaxation. Because the thickness can be changed simply by folding it, a blanket provides an adjustable form of support that can be useful in many different poses and practices.
How to Use a Yoga Blanket
There are many ways to use a yoga blanket depending on the pose and the type of support needed. A folded blanket can be placed beneath the hips during seated poses to provide additional height and help create a more comfortable upright position. It can also be placed beneath the knees or wrists to provide extra cushioning, rolled to support the neck or back, or folded into a thicker pad for kneeling poses. In restorative poses, blankets can be combined with other props to fill spaces between the body and the floor and provide additional support.
A yoga blanket can also be used simply for warmth and comfort. During Savasana, the blanket may be placed over the body to help maintain warmth as the body becomes still. For seated practices, the blanket can be folded into a firm cushion, while a tightly rolled blanket can provide more concentrated support. The ability to fold a blanket to different thicknesses makes it possible to adjust the amount of support for individual needs and different poses.
The History of the Yoga Blanket
Yoga blankets have been used as props for many decades, although the exact history of the modern yoga blanket is not as clearly documented as the history of some other yoga equipment. Historical accounts of yoga practice in India describe cotton blankets being used by practitioners, while blankets became increasingly common as yoga schools and studios developed in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. American practitioners commonly used Mexican cotton blankets as well as wool blankets because they were durable and could be folded and used for support.
The development of modern yoga props is particularly associated with the growth of Iyengar Yoga and the teaching of B.K.S. Iyengar. Blankets became an important part of prop-based practice because they could be folded to provide specific amounts of height and support. Early yoga studios sometimes used whatever durable blankets were available, including surplus military blankets. Over time, purpose-made yoga blankets became widely available, and today they are a familiar prop in yoga studios and home practices.
The Benefits of Using a Yoga Blanket
One of the primary benefits of a yoga blanket is its ability to provide cushioning and support. A folded blanket can create a softer surface beneath the knees, wrists, ankles, hips, or other areas that may experience pressure against the floor. It can also provide additional height beneath the hips in seated poses, helping some practitioners maintain a more comfortable upright position. Yoga props in general can help improve stability, positioning, and comfort while practicing.
Yoga blankets are also useful for warmth and relaxation. During longer periods of stillness, including Savasana and restorative practices, a blanket can help keep the body warm and comfortable. Because a blanket can be folded, rolled, or opened depending on the need, it can serve several purposes during the same practice. Its flexibility makes it useful for beginners as well as experienced practitioners who want additional support or cushioning.
The Different Sizes and Shapes of Yoga Blankets
Yoga blankets are available in a variety of sizes, weights, materials, and weaves, and there is no single standardized size for every yoga blanket. Traditional studio blankets are generally large enough to fold several times or roll into a substantial support. Many are rectangular and designed to be folded into different thicknesses. Some blankets are relatively lightweight and flexible, while heavier blankets provide a firmer surface when folded and can offer more substantial support.
The shape of a yoga blanket is generally rectangular because this makes it easy to fold into different configurations. A blanket can be folded into a square or rectangle for sitting, folded into a long strip for supporting a specific part of the body, or tightly rolled to create a cylindrical support. When opened completely, it can provide warmth and coverage over the body. The size and weight that work best depend on how the blanket will be used, the practitioner's body, and whether the primary purpose is cushioning, support, elevation, or warmth.
Which Styles of Yoga Use Different Types of Blankets
Yoga blankets are used in many different styles of yoga, but they are particularly common in practices that make extensive use of props. Iyengar Yoga is one of the styles most strongly associated with blankets because props are used to help practitioners work with alignment, positioning, and support. Blankets can be stacked or folded to create specific heights and can be used to support different parts of the body during poses.
Blankets are also commonly used in Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga, where poses may be held for longer periods and comfort and support are important. They can also be used in Hatha, gentle yoga, prenatal practices, Pranayama, meditation, and general yoga classes. The same blanket can serve different purposes depending on the practice for example, providing cushioning during a more active class, elevation during seated work, or warmth during relaxation. There is therefore not necessarily one specific type of blanket for each yoga style; the way the blanket is folded, rolled, or positioned is often more important than the blanket's name or category.