The Best Yoga Pillow in 2022 | Review by Bestcovery

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The Best Yoga Pillows to Enhance Your Practice

  1. MV Joie Embroidery Design Yoga Pillow
  2. Mindful Modern Large Meditation Yoga Pillow
  3. Y O GAYO Cotton Rectangle Yoga Pillow
  4. Gaiam Rectangle Meditation Yoga Pillow
  5. Florensi Meditation Premium Yoga Pillow
  6. Trideer Soft Velvet Rectangular Yoga Pillow
  7. Peace Yoga Buckwheat Yoga Pillow
  8. Buyer's Guide

Yoga and meditation are known for posture enhancement and strength, but relaxation and stress relief are important reasons a lot of people enjoy the practice as well. None of these benefits are possible without proper equipment.

In this guide, you will find the best yoga pillows in 2022 for better alignment, strength, and relaxation. Whether you are a beginner or advanced yogi, there is a yoga pillow to suit your meditation style, height, and flexibility. Support props such as yoga pillows are especially important for those who are less flexible, pregnant, or injured. Here are our top picks.

Best Yoga Pillow Worth Considering in 2022

MV Joie Embroidery Design Yoga Pillow - Best Overall

MV Joie has considered everything when creating a great yoga pillow. MV Joie’s zafu meditation cushions are available in three colors representing the areas of awareness you would like to develop. Indigo blue inspires wisdom, higher consciousness, and inner peace. Mint green inspires compassion, kindness, and abundance. The gray color represents simplicity, wisdom, and calmness.

  • Comes with an anti-dust cotton drawstring bag and lavender pouch
  • Has fumigated buckwheat stuffing and added charcoal packages to keep the filling odorless and dry
  • Only available in one size

The luxurious cushion cover is made of faux suede, giving it a soft feel. Its look is enhanced by a gold embroidered design. The zafu measures 13” x 5", has a carry handle, is machine washable, and is perfectly adjustable and portable. It can also serve as a laptop lap desk, yoga block, or lounge pillow.

Mindful Modern Large Meditation Yoga Pillow - Runner Up

This yoga pillow is ideal for seated meditation sessions, and certainly one of the most stylish out there. Its sleek design is available in white, grey, and black and comes in a trendy pillow box. This yoga pillow helps relieve pressure on your knees, ankles, and legs while you maintain correct posture.

  • You can add or remove hulls according to the level of support you need
  • The cushion features a carry handle and a removable outer cover for washing
  • Although the buckwheat has undergone cleaning and disinfecting, bugs do sometimes still manage to find their way into the filling

This large zafu yoga bolster is made from 100% cotton with a natural buckwheat hull filling, which is considered the best natural filling for yoga pillows. Despite its slightly larger size, it is easy to clean and transport.

Y O GAYO Cotton Rectangle Yoga Pillow - Honorable Mention

Gayo’s rectangular yoga bolster pillow is the perfect travel size so you can continue your meditation practice while you’re on the go. It comes with a carry bag, keeping it clean and easy to carry around. As a bonus, you also receive a beautiful pattern-printed second pillowcase.

  • The pillow comes with a free carry bag as well as an extra pillowcase
  • The sturdy pillow features a removable black cover with a hidden zipper for easy washing
  • The pillow provides firm support and won’t be suitable if you are looking for something soft and light-weight

The extra firm yoga pillow is made with 100% certified organic cotton. It measures 6.5" x 11" x 18", making it 28% shorter than a standard rectangular yoga block. It is the perfect size for smaller body frames and even for children.

Gaiam Rectangle Meditation Yoga Pillow - Contender

Gaiam offers softcover rectangular meditation pillows in black, purple, and blue. The rectangular pillow is made to support the body during yoga, soften your posture, and ease discomfort. The long shape is useful to relieve lower back tension and prevent muscle strain.

  • Has an easy to remove, machine washable cover
  • Features a convenient handle strap that allows for hassle-free carrying
  • The pillow offers soft support and may not be firm enough for those who prefer something more sturdy

The cover is 100% polyester making it durable and easy to clean. The pillows interior is filled with natural cotton for ultimate comfort. This is a great pillow for those who need extra support due to pregnancy or lack of flexibility.

Florensi Meditation Premium Yoga Pillow - Consider

Florensi has created a unique meditation cushion with a beautiful lotus flower pattern resembling unity, growth, compassion, and connection. The round cushion, also known as a "zafu," provides enough height to be used as a floor chair or pillow, making it ideal for long seated meditation.

  • It comes in a variety of colors
  • Pillow covers are removable and machine washable
  • The pillow is fairly small and best suited to smaller-framed individuals

This large velvety premium yoga pillow measures 16 inches in diameter. It is 5 inches high and an inch of foam is added for extra comfort. It is designed with longevity in mind, made with long-lasting materials and buckwheat hulls to prevent the cushion from flattening over time. If you want to change the thickness, add or remove buckwheat hulls.

Trideer Soft Velvet Rectangular Yoga Pillow - Consider

This soft rectangular yoga pillow embraces convenience, comfort, and support in its design, making it deal for prenatal yoga.

  • It comes with a handy guide on tips to incorporate the pillow into your poses and relaxation techniques
  • Removable and washable cover
  • Can slip on smooth surfaces

The light-weight bolster pillow weighs under 2 pounds and features an easy-grip carry handle. The silky velvet pillow cover offers a touch of luxury, and its hidden zippers allow for the removal of the cover for washing. Trideer's yoga bolster pillow is made from mixed density layers of organic recycled foam, providing support during restorative yoga and easing a wide range of poses.

Peace Yoga Buckwheat Yoga Pillow - Consider

This unique crescent-shaped pillow serves as a multi-purpose comfort pillow. Ideal for beginner and advanced yoga enthusiasts, it offers proper spine support. The crescent design lets you tuck your feet closer to your body, reducing lower leg stress during yoga poses. The pillow can also be used as a sleep aid for neck and limb support, as a yoga block, or meditation pillow.

  • The outer cotton pillowcase is machine washable
  • A stuffing of buckwheat hulls provides optimal support without heat retention
  • Doesn't come with a carrying bag

The cushion is available in a calming blue color and measures 18” x 9.6” x 5.7”. The cover is removable for washing, or you can simply spot-clean it with a damp towel. The pillow interior is buckwheat hull, which is considered the best filling for meditation cushions.

Buyer's Guide

There are multiple types of yoga pillows available in various shapes, sizes, and firmnesses. Getting the right pillow will greatly improve your comfort and posture during meditation. Choosing the proper yoga pillow or meditation cushion depends on a few things including your meditation position, comfort, proper alignment, and the texture of the cushion. In this guide, we’ll help you discover exactly which type of yoga pillow is ideal for you.

How to Choose the Best Yoga Pillow

Consider the following characteristics when determining which pillow will suit your practice style best.

Types of Yoga Pillows

Zafu Meditation Cushion

The zafu meditation pillow is a traditional round cushion. When meditating, you should sit on the edge of the zafu so your legs slope down and can rest comfortably. These cushions are designed to slightly lift the hips and upper body. This posture allows for a natural spinal curve alignment.

With natural spinal alignment, the back, neck, shoulders, and head follow a comfortable upright posture. It is important that you are easily able to maintain an upright, proper, and comfortable posture during meditation.

On its own, the zafu is best suited for someone of average height with good flexibility. If you are tall or have limited flexibility you may benefit from a higher seating position, which can be done by adding filling to your existing pillow or purchasing a taller one.

Cosmic Cushion

The cosmic cushion is shaped like a fortune cookie with a built-in slope. The extended sides support the thighs while the heel cutout lets the ankles stay snuggly positioned close to the body. The cosmic yoga cushion is ideal for taller or less flexible individuals, but anyone can use it comfortably for proper alignment and support.

Rectangular Yoga Pillow

With its straight edges, the rectangular meditation cushion does not interfere with heel positioning. It provides lift for proper alignment but is generally not as high as a standard zafu. The rectangular yoga pillow is often preferred by flexible individuals as well as experienced participants as they are perfectly useful for a variety of poses and practices.

Zabuton Meditation Cushion

The zabuton meditation pillow is placed under a zafu or other yoga pillow. Because proper body alignment in seated postures can cause additional pressure on the knees and ankles, a zabuton perfectly cushions these areas to relieve discomfort. They are especially helpful when practicing on hard surfaces.

Yoga Pillow Stuffing

Yoga pillows generally come either stuffed with kapok or buckwheat hulls. Some may be filled with synthetic or recycled fillings as well. Typically, buckwheat hulls are considered the ideal filling for yoga pillows.

Kapok

Kapok is a soft cotton-like material that becomes dense and firm when blown into a cushion. Unlike cotton, foam, and polyester batting, it does not compress completely with pressure. It is soft and lightweight yet doesn't collapse and become unsupportive.

Buckwheat Hulls

Buckwheat hulls are the dark, small, saucer-shaped exterior of buckwheat grains. They provide stability and weigh more than kapok. Buckwheat hull pillows conform well to the shape of the body and are known to be the best type of filling for meditation practice. The one downside is that if the buckwheat has not been extremely well fumigated and processed, little bugs may still appear among the hulls. Thankfully, this is an easy fix, as you can wash the pillow cover and freeze the hulls, which will easily kill and get rid of any remaining bugs.

Yoga Pillow Features

When buying a yoga pillow, you may want to check the product for the following:

- Does it come with a removable outer cover that is machine washable?
- Does it come with any extra accessories such as guides, bags, or extra covers?
- Does the cushion have a handle for easy carrying?
- Is the size convenient for your height and flexibility?
- Is the fabric durable?
- Do you prefer a round, rectangular, or crescent-shaped cushion?

Comfort and Color

Some people prefer stiffer support while others want a softer meditation accessory. Consider the filling when choosing the support you prefer. Many, especially buckwheat-filled pillows, can be customized by adding or removing filling. Even when using a harder support pillow you can choose one with a soft, velvety outer cover. There is a great range of fabric cover types from hardy, durable materials to soft, suede-like covers.

Some people are not as picky about the color of their yoga pillow. However, certain manufacturers offer a range of colors that are light and calming, while others focus on colors that align with chakras you want to develop. Others may simply focus on colorful covers for aesthetic purposes.

Yoga Pillow FAQ

Q: Can you buy buckwheat hulls separately to refill a yoga pillow?

A: Yes. Although yoga pillows and bolsters come already stuffed, there are suppliers who sell buckwheat hulls separately.

Q: What can you do to get rid of bugs in buckwheat hulls?

A: It is not uncommon for bugs to be found in buckwheat pillow stuffing, although the hulls generally go through an extensive cleaning process. Remove the pillowcase, turn it inside out and wash it. You can also freeze the hulls to kill any bugs. It is best not to wash the hulls themselves since they can be hard to dry.

Q: What size yoga pillow should I get?

A: The pillow size needs to provide comfort from all angles and make your positioning easier, not harder. Although it is a matter of personal preference, taller individuals usually prefer cushions with more height, allowing for room to cross their legs comfortably. Shorter, or more flexible individuals will do just fine will smaller size pillows that are fairly low.

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