When practicing yoga, there is one item we use almost weekly called a bolster pillow.
But what exactly is a bolster pillow?
Yoga bolsters are dense pillows of varying sizes used to support various parts of the body in different “asanas” – or positions. They can either be placed mid-back or near your tailbone, or you can have it situated under your body directly in line with your spine. (I had a student use it this way during tonight’s class and she said it did wonders for her spine. She even stayed in that position for the final 8 minutes of my class because it felt so good on her back.)
The bolster pillow is great tool to simply open your chest cavity, allowing you to focus on breathing. And, by placing it under your tailbone, it takes the pressure off the lower back while you are in a meditative-state. Or, some students prefer to use it during shavasana by placing it under the knees.
Whether you use a bolster pillow during yoga or in your home, just remember to inhale and exhale … and embrace the stillness.
Namaste,
Jeannette