Folding Blankets For Meditation: A Guide

Folding a blanket for meditation is an important skill to master, as it can provide extra support and comfort during your practice. There are several ways to fold a blanket, depending on the type of pose you are doing and the area of the body you want to support. For example, you can fold a blanket into a Tadasana, which is the standard fold for providing lift and cushioning in many sitting and kneeling poses. Alternatively, you can roll the blanket up and place it between the legs so the hips can rest on it during Child's Pose.

How to Fold a Blanket for Meditation

Tadasana fold

The Tadasana fold is the "storage fold" for a wool blanket. It is simple to do and involves only three folds. First, take your wool blanket and unfold it completely. You will notice that one side is longer than the other. The long sides are the left and right sides when unfolded.

Now, fold the blanket in half, joining the two short sides. Make sure to match the sides evenly and smooth out any wrinkles or rolls in the blanket. Next, fold the blanket in half again, joining the two short sides. Repeat this process once more, so that you have folded the blanket in half a third time, again joining the short sides.

With these three simple folds, you will have achieved the Tadasana fold, also known as the storage fold. This fold is important because it provides a stable base for other folds and arrangements of the blanket that are used to support different asanas. The Tadasana fold also helps to retain the heat generated during your yoga practice, providing a warm and inviting surface for meditation after your flow.

Pyramid fold

To fold a meditation blanket into a pyramid fold, start with your blanket in the Tadasana fold, with the fringe away from you. Take the end of the blanket and fold it over so you have about a one-and-a-half-inch space at the top. Then, grab that space and fold the bottom of the blanket over so that you have equal space on either side of the top layer. Finally, grab the entire blanket and fold it over so that you have equal space on either side, and you will have created a pyramid shape.

This pyramid fold is great for providing a lift and a deeper backbend when you're lying on your back in Savasana or Supta Baddha Konasana. It will also help open your chest and shoulders, which is great for Pranayama (breathing practice) and reversing the curvature that occurs from hunching over a computer.

Rolling a yoga blanket

There are many ways to use a yoga blanket in restorative and prenatal yoga, or even in a regular practice for a little extra lift or support.

The Standard Roll

To roll your yoga blanket, start with your blanket in the Tadasana of the Blanket Fold, with the fringe away from you. Take the end of the blanket and start to roll it up nice and tight, like a cinnamon roll. You can stop when you have a small roll, or you can keep going, depending on how much lift you need. If you are injured, it is recommended to stick with a smaller roll.

The Yoga Rope

You can also roll your yoga blanket to create a long, soft yoga rope or strap for restorative poses. To do this, take your yoga blanket and unfold it completely, so it is lying lengthwise in front of you. Then, start to roll it into itself, until it forms a long rope.

Using the Standard Roll

The standard roll can be used in a variety of ways. You can run the roll along your spine for a nice chest opener, or place it across your mat and set it at your lower lumbar for a gentle back bend.

Using the Yoga Rope

To use the yoga rope, take it over your feet, so the soles of your feet come together. Then, thread the rope under your ankles, knees, and the meaty part of your hips. You can then lay back with support and relax.

Using a yoga blanket for the chest

Yoga blankets can be used in a variety of ways to support and enhance your practice. One such use is to roll the blanket tightly and place it under your back, stopping halfway up your spine. This will help to open up your chest.

To do this, start with your yoga blanket fully unfolded. Then, roll it tightly into a cylindrical shape. Place the roll under your spine, with the roll running from the base of your spine to about halfway up your back. You can then slowly lower yourself down onto the blanket. Your arms can be placed by your sides or out to the sides with your palms facing up for a deeper stretch. Focus on your breathing, taking deep breaths and concentrating on your exhales. Stay in this position for three to eight minutes.

This technique is particularly useful if you don't have access to a bolster, as it can provide a similar effect without the expense. It is also a good way to help open up your chest and improve your posture. This is especially beneficial if you spend a lot of time hunched over a computer or doing other activities that cause you to slouch.

Yoga blankets can also be used in other ways to support your yoga or meditation practice. For example, you can fold a blanket and place it under your head and neck during Savasana (Corpse Pose) to send signals to your brain to relax the muscles in your neck. You can also place a rolled-up blanket under your knees during a seated pose to provide support and ease of movement.

Using a yoga blanket for the shoulders

Yoga blankets are highly versatile and can be used for warmth, refinement in poses, support, and alignment. They are particularly useful for restorative yoga practices, providing a feeling of ease and lightness in the breath, and educating the body in the proper alignment of the head, neck, shoulder girdle, and ribs.

When using a yoga blanket for the shoulders, it is important to ensure that the blanket is folded precisely to provide consistent support from the shoulders to the tips of the elbows. This helps to create a firm platform to balance on and protect the neck. The trick is to fold the blanket and place it so that it starts directly underneath the shoulders, not the neck. The neck and head should "hang off" the blanket, allowing the neck to remain in its normal range of motion and reducing strain on the cervical vertebrae and thoracic spine.

For a shoulder stand, the height of the blanket should be consistent from the shoulders to the elbows, with the upper arms on the sticky mat to prevent slipping. Additionally, the buttocks should be at the same height as the blankets to facilitate moving in and out of the pose. For a supported shoulderstand, you can fold your blanket in half lengthwise, creating a long fold.

Yoga blankets can also be used to provide support for the chest and neck. For example, when resting the head on a folded blanket in Savasana (Corpse Pose), the soft surface touching the neck skin sends signals to the brain to relax the muscles. A folded blanket can also be placed for the head, with the neat edge of the fold towards the shoulders, providing a soft surface for the neck.

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