“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself”. Some time ago I read this quote written by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi and it made me think about all the little things in life that have a huge impact on the way you feel about yourself. Honestly, at that point in my life I was doing nothing to improve my well being, nothing to make me feel better until I discovered the power of yoga. I realized that’s what I was missing in my life until then – something to make me dedicate some time to myself. Yes, yoga is the perfect opportunity to start exploring and be curious about who you are.
But just like for any other practice, practicing yoga without any additional props is not the most convenient experience. For that reason having a proper yoga mat and a meditation bolster are one of the essentials to ensure successful yoga sessions. In this article, I’ll pay special attention to meditation bolsters and why they are so beneficial for your favorite yoga poses.
A meditation bolster is a cushion used in yoga practice, and it comes in a rectangular and cylindrical shape. These bolsters are usually filled with cotton, but some of them come with buckwheat filling. Plus, there are also yoga bolsters with washable covers which is something that has a huge impact on their lifespan. These pieces of yoga equipment are very beneficial for people who have injuries as they provide them with a higher level of comfort. Moreover, they are the ultimate yoga prop for women who practice prenatal yoga. Wondering why meditation bolsters are so popular? Take a look.
Relaxation – In order to put your body and mind in a relaxing state, take two yoga blocks and put them under the bolster. Place one of the blocks on its short side for more support while the other one on its long side so it can offer you as much height as possible. After that, lay your back on the bolster and just relax.
Flexibility – If you are working on splits or have tight inner thighs, practicing with a bolster can help you improve your flexibility. Place the cushion in front of you while sitting with your legs wide spread and then lay your upper body over the top of the bolster. Your flexibility will improve with time and once you achieve this you can use a rectangular bolster and get deeper into the stretch.
Low back release – If you suffer from low back tension, use your bolster to fight against this problem. This is where you should consider buying a heavy and high-quality bolster that will provide you with the much needed support. Simply, place the bolster under your hips and lay your entire body on the cushion.
When looking to buy a yoga bolster, consider the kind of support you would like and then choose the shape that suits you the most. Also, consider the weight of the bolster; a quality cushion will weigh more, thus it will provide more support.
