How to choose the right yoga bolster.

If you occasionally reach your physical limits with your asanas, that's simply a normal part of your yoga journey, and it's perfectly fine to accept it. We face pressure to perform often enough in everyday life, and it has no place on the yoga mat. Instead, you can give yourself a helping hand with props. Yoga bolsters are particularly well suited to this! However, with such a wide range of yoga bolsters, it's easy to lose track, so with this guide we'd like to help you make your choice. With a bolster, you can intensify your yoga exercises even more or support challenging yoga poses. In principle, a yoga bolster is also a wonderful aid to help you relax better when stretching.

WHAT IS A YOGA BOLSTER AND HOW DOES IT HELP YOU?

A yoga bolster is an elongated yoga cushion that you can use for all your support needs in yoga. It can be rectangular or round, smaller or larger, with a cover made of different materials and with different fillings. This varies by manufacturer. The bolster is basically designed so that you can stay on it for longer, which is why in these situations you reach for the yoga bolster rather than the classic block. Unlike the block, the yoga cushion is not only many times larger, but also softer, making it perfect to lie on. A bolster relieves your body on so many levels: back, neck, shoulders, abdomen, hips, legs, head and even your thoughts.

You can also use the bolster as a seat to gently ease yourself into an upright posture. To do this, sit cross-legged with your pelvis at the short edge of the bolster so that it almost tips over. This makes your pelvis tilt forward and your spine straighten up. There are many other asanas (especially in Yin Yoga) that you can practise beautifully with a bolster. For instructions or inspiration, it's best to ask a yoga teacher you trust.

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT YOGA BOLSTER?

1. THE RIGHT SHAPE

Lotuscrafts offers two different shapes of yoga bolster. Most yoga bolsters are rectangular; the round shape is usually called a yoga roll. To choose the right yoga bolster, you should ask yourself two questions. Firstly, you have to like the look and feel of your bolster. You should enjoy practising on and with it, otherwise it won't give you the support you need during your practice. Secondly, the main use of the bolster is decisive.

The advantage of the rectangular bolster is that it doesn't roll away. It offers stable balance, good back support for lying positions and comfort for the spine and hips. That's why this shape is the better choice if you mainly want to do exercises with pressure on your back. Round yoga bolsters (yoga rolls) are very well suited to yoga asanas in which the chest is opened with a curve of the spine. A good example here would be the supported bridge. You can also use yoga rolls as a weight to help you perform your exercises better. For example, in a seated forward bend, place the yoga roll on your knees. It's also great as a support for limbs, for example under bent knees.

2. THE COMFORTABLE FILLING

Lotuscrafts yoga bolsters come with two different fillings: kapok and spelt husks.

Our rectangular yoga bolsters are filled with kapok. Kapok is obtained from the pods of the kapok tree. This cotton-like plant fibre is particularly suitable as a filling if you want a soft, squashy cushion. Kapok is also ideal for allergy sufferers, as this plant fibre hardly attracts mites and is very breathable.

Our round yoga rolls are filled with spelt husks in Germany. Spelt husks are the shells of the spelt grain and are prepared accordingly to become “cushion filling”. First the grain is removed, then the husks are washed, dried and dedusted. This ensures hygiene and a long shelf life. Spelt husks are also soft, hold their shape and adapt well. That's why Lotuscrafts cushions mould easily to your chosen sitting position. The filling is also environmentally friendly and replaceable.

3. THE SOFT COVER

All Lotuscrafts yoga bolster covers are sewn from robust organic cotton and are washable. The cover is closed with a drawstring and can be tightened as you like. The cover is made from high-quality, ecological materials and can be removed separately.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY BOLSTER?

Protect your yoga bolster from moisture and air it regularly. Only wash the cover when absolutely necessary, as the cover may shrink slightly when washed, making it harder to put back on the bolster. The cover should fit nice and tight on your bolster, otherwise it will be too soft and won't offer support. To get the cover over the inner cushion more easily, you can wrap a smooth material, such as packaging film, around the inner cushion. On a smooth surface, the cover slides over the inner cushion more easily. The cover is washable at 30°C, should not be tumble dried and should not be dry cleaned. The inner cushion with filling is not washable.

WHICH EXERCISES CAN I DO WITH A YOGA BOLSTER?

A yoga bolster can be used as a prop in a wide variety of exercises. Bolsters are used particularly often in Yin Yoga, where poses are held for longer. Below you'll find a few examples. You can find more information about Yin Yoga and a selection of exercises with video tutorials here.