When it comes to equipment that is considered to be essential for a yoga session, many people will first think of the yoga mat, and potentially blocks and straps, but a pillow is arguably just as important as all of these items.
While a yoga pillow can be good for improving a person’s posture, it also makes staying in the same position for a prolonged period of time much easier, and a whole lot comfier, so it’s never a bad idea to pick one up, especially if you want to challenge yourself with positions and poses that require more flexibility.
Rather than endlessly scrolling to find the right pillow for your yoga exercises, to make things much easier for you, we’ve listed 5 of the best yoga pillows on the market right here which you can pick up today, ready for your next session.
Best Yoga Pillows
All of the pillows included in this list are designed with specific materials that make them extra comfy for yoga.
Many of them also contain a few added features which can help to make stretching and meditating a much more fun and relaxing experience, so without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the best yoga pillows available for you to buy today!
1. AJNA Yoga Bolster Pillow
The problem with a lot of low-quality yoga pillows is that, after using them more than a few times, they can gradually begin to lose their shape, becoming much weaker and smaller, but that isn’t the case with this yoga pillow from AJNA which is made using dual-layer technology.
This not only keeps the pillow durable for the long term, but it compliments the vegan suede material exceptionally well, ensuring that it always feels firm, but still soft enough so that you don’t put any strain on your back, legs, or core while practicing some of the more challenging stretches and poses.
If you look closely, you will also notice a hidden zipper on the side of the pillow, allowing you to easily remove and clean the outside outer casing, so even after those longer sessions where you might be sweating a little more than usual, you won’t have to worry about the smell lingering on the material for very long.
All in all, if you don’t mind paying the fairly expensive asking price, this is one of the best yoga pillows available right now, especially when it comes to durability and the quality of the materials.
Pros
- Very high-quality vegan suede material
- Dual-layer technology means the pillow never loses shape
- The ergonomic design is very easy to clean
- Extremely lightweight
Cons
- More expensive than a lot of its competition
Also available at:
2. Gaiam Yoga Bolster Rectangular Pillow
If you’re looking for a pillow that can help with staying in meditative positions for long periods of time rather than assisting in flexible poses, this is one you’re definitely going to want to consider.
With an extremely comfortable 100% polyester cover and a rectangular-shaped design, this is a fluffy and comfortable pillow that makes it so much easier to focus on your breathing and the energy flowing through your body, since you won’t have to worry about any lower back pain which can often occur from sitting down for too long.
The inside of the pillow is packed full of natural cotton, making it incredibly light to sit on and carry, especially since it also comes with a handle strap, making it easy to take with you to the yoga hall, or even abroad if you ever plan to visit a yoga retreat.
It should be said that you’re not going to get much firmness with this pillow, but if you simply want a lightweight pillow that you can sink into for those longer meditative yoga sessions, it works incredibly well for these scenarios.
Pros
- Natural cotton makes long sitting sessions very comfortable
- Very easy to carry thanks to the handle strap
- The polyester cover is water-proof and stain-resistant
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not very firm
Also available at:
3. Seat Of Your Soul Crescent Yoga Pillow
The crescent-moon shape of this pillow can definitely look a little unusual at first glance, but it is designed this way to alleviate a lot of the pressure from your joints for certain yoga poses, which is why it’s so small and nimble.
Many yoga poses will require you to place your hand, forearm, or elbow on the floor to perform them correctly, and while a yoga mat can help with this, this pillow ensures that you never end up putting too much pressure on these parts of the body, protecting you from a potential injury.
You can even adjust the firmness and height of this pillow exactly to your liking, so feel free to make it a little softer for meditation sessions, and bulk it up when you’re undertaking a yoga position which is designed to strengthen your core and muscles.
The only major downside to this pillow that some customers have reported is the color washing away after it has been cleaned a few times, but if you are more concerned with the properties of the pillow rather than its appearance, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem!
Pros
- Makes performing challenging poses much easier
- It can also be used for sitting
- Adjustable height and firmness
- Plenty of color choices
Cons
- Color can wash away easily
- Can stain easily
Also available at:
4. Cervical Neck Bolster Pillow
Performing yoga poses that require you to lift your legs up against a wall (Viparita Karani) can be quite challenging for a lot of people, especially because this type of position can easily sprain your spine, and can also easily damage your neck if you accidentally use the back of your head to lift your weight up, which is very easy to do.
If it is specific poses like these that are causing you issues, this pillow can help you tremendously, featuring a cervical contour that protects your head and neck at all times.
It also allows you to observe your body from a lying-down position without even having to push your neck forward, and since it is made out of memory foam, the pillow will memorize the shape of your neck and head after the first few times you use it, making it easier to slot into with each subsequent use.
This product also comes with a premium skin-friendly hypoallergenic pillowcase, making it easy to tuck away once you’re done using it.
Pros
- Great for legs-up-the-wall poses
- It can also be used for any poses that require lying down
- Memory foam makes the pillow very comfortable on the neck
- Moisture-absorbing and breathable
Cons
- No adjustable firmness
- The first few uses can be very uncomfortable
Also available at:
5. AllSett Health Bamboo Round Cervical Roll Pillow
Small, comfy, and very flexible, if you simply want a pillow that’s going to help ease out some of the built-up tension in your body without having to break the bank, this product is a great choice.
At 13 inches long, it’s the perfect size to use in a whole range of different positions, whether it’s for more energetic movements in power yoga, or the more methodical poses of Hatha yoga, because of how miniature this pillow is, it has a place in just about any routine.
Beneath the easy-to-remove washable cover, you will find a bolster-shaped core that is surprisingly firm, but still soft enough so that it won’t dig into your back or legs.
On top of all this, it is also incredibly cheap, making it a must-buy if you aren’t too concerned about all the bells and whistles, and simply want a pillow that can help make you feel more comfortable, no matter which type of yoga you practice.
Pros
- Strikes the perfect balance between being firm and soft
- Suitable for any position or pose
- Extremely cheap
- The removable cover is easy to clean
Cons
- It can lose its firmness after constant usage
- The color washes away quickly
Also available at:
Buyer’s Guide
When deciding on a yoga pillow, there are a few key factors that can determine the overall quality of the product, so let’s take a look at the most important ones to keep an eye out for when you go shopping online.
Firmness
You should only really be buying a pillow that is made out of completely soft materials, such as cotton, if you want to only sit on it as part of meditative sessions.
Otherwise, if you intend to use the pillow for more rigorous exercises, make sure that it is at least somewhat firm so that it can also help to train your body.
Shape
Whether it’s a rectangular pillow designed for sitting, or one that’s a little smaller and more ideal for alleviating stress in your limbs during more challenging poses, the shape of the pillow matters just as much as its material and firmness.
Washability
Since you’re going to be spending so much time using your yoga pillow, make sure that the cover is easy to wash, and always check if it has moisture-absorbing and breathable qualities, since these will help to naturally keep it clean and free of odors.
Summary
There are plenty of amazing yoga pillows out there for you to choose from, so make sure to pick one that will suit your routine and exercises the best so that you can feel as comfortable and content as possible when it’s time to relax with some yoga.
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
- Ultimate Guide to Yoga Strap Stretching: 12 Poses for Flexibility - September 15, 2023
- Phalakasana or Kumbhakasana – Plank Pose - September 13, 2023
- All About Iyengar Poses: Beginner to Advanced Guide - September 11, 2023
