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7 Best Yoga Pillows To Support Your Body Through A Restorative Practice, Pregnancy, And More
Child's pose has never been so comfy.
If you're looking for a yoga sesh that doesn't involve loads of chaturanga pushups, restorative yoga is about as close to a nap as a flow can get. Seriously, the entire point of restorative yoga is to *relax*, which means you'll get to enjoy restful poses for minutes at a time and use cozy props like yoga pillows or bolsters and blankets. (Sign me way, way up.)
Yoga pillows are comfortable props you can lay on during yoga, sit on as you meditate, or even use to support your stomach through pregnancy. When using them, you feel more physically held. That will allow your body and mind to rest more deeply, says yoga teacher and trainer Suki Clements, CPT, RYT. For example, resting your torso on a yoga bolster in child's pose takes any physical effort out of the equation so you can really settle in.
Peep a few of the best yoga teacher-approved pillows and bolsters, below:
Yoga pillows and bolsters range in size, shape, and firmness, Clements says. They can be rectangular, cylindrical or round, thick or thin, and made from a variety of materials (though cotton is a common option). "Much like a sleeping pillow, picking a yoga pillow is personal preference," says Clements. "For restorative purposes, though, you may want a firmer bolster, because when they are too soft you often need to add towels or blankets for more height or support."
See below for the best instructor-approved yoga pillows.
Manduka Enlight Rectangular Yoga Bolster
Manduka Enlight Rectangular Yoga Bolster
Manduka's popular rectangular-shaped bolster is a top pick amongst yoga instructors. Not surprising, given the brand's solid rep and the bolster's uniquely soft microfiber cover and partially-recycled stuffing.
"It has enough support and holds its shape without being too bulky," says director of education for YogaSix Kelly Clifton Turner, RYT (registered yoga teacher). She likes to slide one under her knees to take the pressure off the lower back, and another longways beneath her spine, which opens up the chest.
Clifton Turner also gives this one bonus points for how easy the covers are to take off, wash, and replace.
Retrospec Sequoia Rectangular Yoga Pillow
Retrospec Sequoia Rectangular Yoga Pillow
"This is such a tried and true bolster for me," says Dani Schenone, RYT, holistic wellness expert for Mindbody. "It's perfect for sleepy restorative yoga classes."
Schenon also loves that this yoga bolster comes at a lower price point than many others out there, shouting out Retrospec for being an "all-around amazing and inclusive brand."
Another perk: Retrospec's rectangular Sequoia bolsters come in five different colors, so there's something for everyone.
Hugger Mugger Standard Yoga Bolster
Hugger Mugger Standard Yoga Bolster
Though a pricier pick, Clements swears by Hugger Mugger's rectangular yoga bolster.
"I like the sizing of it, she says. "It's tall enough that I don’t need additional props on top, firm enough that I feel supported and protected, and also has the element of softness so I can truly relax into a pose during my practice."
Another reason it's worth the splurge: Hugger Mugger's props are handmade in the USA and available in eight colors, from subtle Plum to popping Poppy.
Sol Living Restorative Round Yoga Pillow
Sol Living Restorative Round Yoga Pillow
Sol Living is famous for their budget-friendly yoga gear, and this cylinder-shaped bolster seriously holds up.
Made with cotton fill and an ultra-soft microfiber cover, it's a comfortable, easy-to-maneuver option that won't break the bank.
"It's really comfortable and the color is beautiful color," one Amazon reviewer, Lindsey, writes. "I lay with it under my knees to alleviate lower back pain or place it under my seat with my legs straight in the air to relax before bed. I love the size too; it's the same size you'd see at a yoga studio."
Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Yoga Cushion Set
Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Yoga Cushion Set
Searching for a pillow that'll guide you through pregnancy and postpartum? Look no further than this gem from Brentwood Home, available in three different shapes and sizes.
Physician Dr. Navya Mysore, MD, says that the circular meditation pillow is great for supporting your tailbone during pregnancy, whereas the bolster (the largest one) is super comfy for side lying support while doing yoga positions lying down.
"I loved the pranayama cushion [the long, skinny one] to help elevate my feet even when I was just hanging out on the sofa," she says. "Your feet can swell naturally a little more in your third trimester of pregnancy."
Manduka Enlight Lean Yoga Bolster
Manduka Enlight Lean Yoga Bolster
Manduka's Lean bolster is a lightweight version of their popular classic, making it great for travel and easier to move on and off your mat.
"I dub this the Goldilocks bolster; it’s not too heavy and not too light," Schenon says. "I can easily pull this on and push it off my mat during a vigorous vinyasa class, and it’s the perfect aid for pesky poses (like one-legged pigeon) after a steady flow."
Like the standard-size Enlight bolster, the Lean features the same partially-recycled fill and easy-to-wash microfiber cover.
Gayo 100% Cotton Rectangle Yoga Bolster Set
Gayo 100% Cotton Rectangle Yoga Bolster Set
If you're after an all-in-one restorative yoga set, Gayo's inexpensive rectangular pillow comes with a cotton travel bag and a second patterned cover (for when you want to mix things up).
Slightly shorter than the standard bolster, this Gayo pick is easy to travel with. Oh, and it also just so happens to be made with organic cotton, so you can feel good about the quality of the material.
"I practice yoga, teach yoga, and am currently in another yoga teacher training," says Amazon reviewer Katina. "This is great for my training days, my teaching days, and my own restorative practice! I’m so happy with this purchase. It’s the perfect size to take to the studio or keep at my home studio, and supports my body weight with the perfect firmness."
This article is part of Vision21, a year-long initiative from Women's Health encouraging readers to dream big and achieve their goals. Add to our vision boards on Pinterest and click here for more Vision21 content.
Neha Tandon is the senior commerce editor of Women's Health—she's an expert in discovering the best products and services you can buy and giving recommendations. She discovered her love for magazines when as a teen, she started stealing her mother's magazines. Determined to see more women who look like her and her family members on the glossy covers of magazines, she was guided by seasoned editors and mentors to write for brands including New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, BRIDES, Harper's Bazaar, Business Insider, Byrdie, and Well+Good. When she’s not grilling dermatologists about the latest skincare trends, she’s doing candlelit yoga or watching Humphrey Bogart movies over vegan pizza. Follow her on Instagram.
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