How to Use a Yoga Bolster with Angela Kukhahn

Ask any avid yogi, and they'll tell you they swear by their trusty yoga bolster. The cushion's elongated shape and moderate height provide the ideal support for practicing handstands, resting in a shavasana, and every pose in between.

Still, you might be thinking, "Come on, is that thing really that great?" It can be hard to imagine becoming so attached to a simple prop, especially when your personal practice is coming along just fine. But trust us — investing in yoga props like the humble bolster will allow you to take poses deeper, make certain poses more comfortable, and hold them for longer. 

Here's why a yoga bolster is about to become your new best friend.  

The Benefits

Yoga bolsters are incredibly helpful for restorative yoga, which emphasizes stillness, deep breathing, and full restoration of the body and mind. Allowing your body to rest on the support of a bolster or another prop helps release tension in your muscles and sink into a therapeutic state of relaxation. And, depending on the way you choose to use a yoga bolster, it can also enhance deep breathing exercises by opening the heart and chest and improve circulation in tired limbs. There's nothing quite like flopping back onto a soft, comfortable resting place after a long, stressful day. 

Of course, a bolster will also take your poses to the next level. You can easily use the cushion as a prop to sink deeper into your favorite poses or provide additional support when trying out new ones. Just be aware of your limits, and never push your body past the point of being comfortable. 

3 Easy Ways to Use a Yoga Bolster

If you've never used a yoga bolster and don't know where to start, don't worry. LA yoga instructor Angela Kukhahn provided us three demonstrations of her favorite ways to incorporate Brentwood Home's Crystal Cove Yoga Bolster into her restorative yoga routine. Watch the video below!