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5 Restorative Yoga Poses You Can Practice With Props You Already Have at Home

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, giving yourself time to slow down and reset often takes the backburner.

Even in the yoga community, Power classes, Vinyasa flows, and Hot Yoga often take the spotlight. And while each of these practices bring their own unique and beautiful experience, they often overshadow a very important practice: Restorative Yoga.

From the outside looking in, Restorative Yoga looks like a glorified nap: lots of pillows, comfortable blankets, and the rare opportunity to use a bolster. But Restorative Yoga poses allow your body – and your mind – an opportunity to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate.

Curious about Restorative Yoga? Here are 5 Big Benefits of Restorative Yoga (Plus the Motivation You Need to Try It!)
 
 

Can You Practice Restorative Yoga at Home?

Whether you’re taking live virtual classes led by a teacher, watching pre-recorded videos and practicing at your own pace, or a little bit of both, one of the biggest differences between practicing at home and in a studio, for most people, is the lack of props.

Some yogis may have a block or two at home, or even a strap laying around. But most people may not have access to bolsters or yoga blankets while practicing at home. And one practice that often relies significantly on props is Restorative.

But don’t fret! You can practice Restorative Yoga at home. And you don’t need a million expensive props to do your favorite Restorative Yoga poses.
 
 

Practice These 5 Restorative Yoga Poses With Props You Already Have at Home:

That’s right . . . you can practice with items you already have around the house to substitute for yoga props. And you’ll likely be amazed by how well these substitutions actually work!

What you’ll need:

  • Two couch/throw pillows
  • One regular pillow
  • One blanket
  • One couch or bed

 

 
 

1. Reclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Butterfly Pose Props

Set-up:

  • Place your regular pillow vertically toward the top of your mat with your blanket folded on top
  • Place two couch/throw pillows on either side toward the middle of your mat

 

Let’s try it:

  • Lie down with your head and upper body on your regular pillow and blanket and with your legs extended out long
  • Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall out to your sides, with your heels slightly away from your pelvis, creating a diamond shape
  • Let the outer edges of your knees fall onto the couch/throw pillows
  • Extend your arms out to your sides

 

2. Supported Child’s Pose (Salamba Balasana)

Childs Pose Props

Set-up:

  • Keep your regular pillow in the same position, but remove the folded blanket and couch pillows

 

Let’s try it:

  • From Butterfly Pose, roll over so your front body is now on the pillow
  • Bring your big toes to touch and separate your knees, bringing the pillow between your thighs toward your pubic bone
  • Unfold your blanket one time and roll it vertically (so it resembles a Tootsie Roll shape) and place your head on it, resting on either cheek
  • Spend several moments here before turning to rest on the other cheek

 

3. Supported Reclined Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)

Supine Twist Props

Set-up:

  • Keep your regular pillow in the same position
  • Optional: place a couch pillow nearby to bring between your legs

 

Let’s try it:

  • With your knees bent, bring your right hip to the bottom of your pillow
  • Lay your right arm along the pillow and then bring it out to your side on the floor
  • Stretch your left arm out the opposite way
  • Lay your side body down on the pillow
  • Either turn your head in the same direction as your knees or turn your head the other way
  • If it feels comfortable, place the couch pillow between your legs

 

4. Legs Up the Wall Variation

Legs Up Wall Props

Set-up:

  • Have your regular pillow ready for you to lay your head on

 

Let’s try it:

  • Slide yourself against the edge of your bed or couch, place your head on your pillow and bring your legs up, bending your knees
  • If you’re practicing on a hard floor and don’t want to move your mat, you can also lie your body vertically on your regular pillow and place your head on your couch pillow

 

 
 

5. Savasana (Corpse Pose)

Savasana Props

Set-up:

  • Place your folded blanket under your head
  • Put your couch pillows under your knees
  • Place your regular pillow under your ankles/heels

 

Let’s try it:

  • Lay your head on your folded up blanket, set up your couch pillows underneath your knees, and bring your heels/ankles on your regular pillow
  • Relax and let go!

 
Looking for more? Try These 4 Restorative Yoga Poses to Relax Your Body and Mind
 
 

Restorative Yoga at Home Doesn’t Have to Involve Expensive Props!

Restorative Yoga at home is not only possible, but it’s actually much more accessible than you previously thought.

Use these five yummy Restorative Yoga poses with props you already have and enjoy the many benefits that Restorative Yoga brings.

 

Yoga Class
With Allie Geer
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5 Big Benefits of Restorative Yoga (Plus the Motivation You Need to Try It!)
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Katie D'Onofrio

Katie is a yoga instructor and writer. When teaching, she always reminds her students of the lighter side of life and yoga, while still creating a deep and meaningful practice. Aside from yoga, Katie loves reading and shopping at Trader Joe’s. She’s also the blogger behind Yoga By KT, where she talks about yoga, food, wellness, and all things in between.

yogabykt.com

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