Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
Probably one of the best Yoga mats out there on the market. Free if all the nasty stuff!
I LOVE PROPS! Using them, buying them, trying new ones, talking about them, finding new creative ways to integrate them into practice, and…organizing them! There is nothing quite like seeing a stack of perfectly folded Yoga blankets next to lint free and clean bolsters. Check out The Best Yoga Props post for more information.
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You may be tempted to grab that cheap mat from Target, but let me tell you why you might not want to!
When we are hitting the Yoga mat to support our fertility, we don’t want to be doing harm.
Many of the cheaper mats on the market are made out of PVC, PER, or PU. These chemicals can off-gas, which can disrupt your hormones, especially estrogen. Phthalates (found in most PVC and PVC containing substances) have been linked to birth defects, infertility, asthma, and cancer. YIKES! No Thanks cheap Yoga mats.
The best materials are natural materials: natural rubber, cork and jute.
Tip: Lighter colors tend to get dirtier faster!
And thickness matters – too thick are hard to balance on and too thin is uncomfortable for restorative Yoga. Stick to 3 – 5 mm.
Not all bolsters are created equally.
Square or Round? I find the square bolsters more versatile for a variety of poses. The round ones, yup you guessed it, roll a lot more! It is harder with a round bolster to get them in the right position for a semi-reclined position or legs up in Stone Hendge. Round bolsters are great for under the knees when lying on the back and certain backbends. I have 2 squares and 1 round in my Yoga space!
Lofty or dense? Definitely dense – the more light and fluffy that bolster is, the less supportive and useful it is. Many of the cheaper bolsters are on the lighter side and not great quality. In a pinch, if you just want something cheap that will be better than bed pillows, then they can be fine.
Blankets are the most versatile of all your props.
You can turn two blankets into a bolster, use them as extra padding under a sore hip, and cover yourself up to get cozy and warm. Since they’re so versatile, it’s nice to have a few on hand.
If you’re deciding between blankets or bolsters, go with the blankets!
How many blankets is best? 2 -4
Look to see what your blankets are made of. Soft organic cotton is the best, but is more costly. More synthetic fiber in the blankets will make them a bit itchy and uncomfortable.
Cork or foam? Both have their strengths. Cork is sturdier and more environmentally friendly. Foam blocks are softer against the body.
Thick or thin? Definitely go with thicker (4in) blocks!
1 or 2? Buy a 2 pack!
Long or short? In general a 6ft strap is great unless you’re on the taller side.
Metal or Plastic buckles? I personally like metal buckles better as I would prefer to stay away from plastic when possible. The plastic will be more likely to break.
A perfectly placed eye pillow is the cherry on top of your restorative pose.
The material of your eye pillow should be organic cotton or silk. Stay away from synthetic mixes if possible!
Look for pillows with washable covers.
If you have sensitive eyes, a couple of things to watch out for.
Are the pillows scented? This may aggravate the tear ducts.
How heavy are they? Smaller pillows will put less pressure on the eyeball.
Here are some good block and strap package options.