I promised myself when I began my yoga journey that I wouldn’t become an accessory junkie. You know these people: they get an interest – say, skincare – and cannot help but to buy up all the serums, moisturizers, and face masks their cabinets can hold. I mean, it’s been tempting, trust me. I’ve always been a book addict so, admittedly, my stack of yoga books is growing. However, I have resisted the urge to go off and buy more blocks and mats then my body will ever need.
With one exception…
I GOT A NEW BOLSTER! SQUEEE!
Now – to be fair! – my previous bolster was heavily used. I bought it second-hand from a studio’s grand closing sale and it was, shall we say, deeply loved in sweat. At one point during a practice, the stench was too much to bear so I knew I needed to get a new one. A bolster is one of those props I don’t use very often in practice – but when I do use it, I become one with the thing. While a bolster (or any yoga prop, for that matter) isn’t required to have a complete practice, they provide a few benefits. Here are the reasons I like to lug one out occasionally:
- Offers Back Support – Whenever I’m having a lower back flareup, a bolster provides support while giving me a soft cushion of comfort.
- Opens the Torso – Yogis, you have not lived until you’ve experienced a Supported Fish pose (Matsyasana) with a bolster at 6am. Expansion of the heartspace, especially first thing in the morning, can be aided well with a bolster situated along the spine.
- Helps with Twists – When I need a little extra love during my practice, I like to hug a bolster to my body while I do seated spinal twists (Parivrtta Sukhasana). It not only encourages a straight spine while twisting, but gives me some emotional support as I open up my hips.
Now, on to today’s practice:
The Instructor: Candace Cabrera of Yoga By Candace
The Practice: Yin Yoga with Bolster (>30 minutes)
Candace Cabrera is a new-to-me YouTube yogi, so I had to cyberstalk a little before doing her workout. One look at her bangin’ IG account told me that this woman knows her yoga stuff. Not only does Candace talk about poses, but she speaks on other aspects of yoga including breathwork, her reflections as a decade-long yoga instructor, and healthy recipes to boost your practice. This yin practice is a combination of fived poses that can be done either with a bolster or a soft stand-in such as a stack of blankets. It was perfect for recovery after my power yoga session this morning and I look forward to trying one of Candace’s flow practices in the not-so-distant future. She’ll definitely be back on the blog soon!
See you on the mat tomorrow!
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