Chapters (1)

Yoga Props 101: Why use a blanket during yoga?

Blue Lotus Yoga / Mike Kooiman · 1:12

In this practice

Key teachings

Using props for proper alignment and comfort
Making yoga accessible for all body types and flexibility levels
Reducing effort in seated postures through support

Ideal for

Beginners in yoga
Individuals with tight hips or lower back discomfort
Anyone seeking more comfort and support in seated postures
Practitioners interested in prop usage

Lesson

Instructions

Blankets are great for lifting the hips, ribs/shoulders, for protecting the knees—and relaxation!

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Mike Kooiman is a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance.

Steps

Folding and positioning a yoga blanket for seated postures
Sitting on the edge of a blanket to elevate hips
Maintaining stillness in seated meditation or cross-legged poses

Benefits

Improved spinal alignment with less effort in seated poses
Increased hip comfort and wider hip angle
Enhanced ability to maintain stillness during seated practice
Protection for knees (as mentioned in description)
Overall relaxation and support (as mentioned in description)

Transcript

What do I want a blanket for during my practice? Well, I'll tell you the most common reason that I will advise people to use a blanket is to sit up on. So, you have it at about this width or this squareish orientation and then you fold it in thirds and then you sit at the edge of this mat. And so mostly what this is great for is if we are new to our practice or if we have tight hips, what happens is we sit on the floor and we fight. We don't have the strength in our hip flexors. Uh it's a lot of effort just to sit upright. So by sitting at the edge of this, we create a wider angle at the hip and you'll feel it immediately. you sit up straighter with less effort and that is a big goal. All right. Same thing if we are going to cross the legs or anything. So, if you are going to sit for any period of time or you're trying to just maintain some stillness in a seated pose, use the blanket.

Practice summary

Level: all levels
Duration: 2 minutes
Equipment: yoga matyoga blanket
Target areas: hipsspinepelvis
Energy: calming

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