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You can technically incorporate any standard blanket into your practice. That said, the best yoga blankets are designed to be comfortable, supportive, washable, easy to fold, and large enough for your needs. Since there are a lot of boxes to check here, I reached out to Jacqui DeFlorio-Reid, certified Yoga teacher and studio founder, to help me narrow down the options.
In yoga, blankets are used for three purposes: as a prop to facilitate alignment during asanas, as a cushion to keep you comfortable during meditation, and as a cover to keep you warm during restorative poses. “Mexican blankets are traditionally used in yoga studios for a few reasons,” DeFlorio-Reid wrote to Bustle. “One reason is that they are very durable; they outlast many other types of blankets,” even when washed frequently. They also work well to accommodate “different folding techniques” and they’re great “for padding body parts such as knees in asanas.”
According to DeFlorio-Reid, most Mexican blankets are made from a “blend of cotton, wool, and polyester. That being said, 100% cotton is advisable as well,” as both options will be durable and supportive. Overly plush blankets might feel soft, but they won't function as adequate yoga props when used during your practice. “I steer clear of 100% wool [blankets because] they can be too bulky when folding,” DeFlorio-Reid wrote — plus they can also be a little bit itchy.
Finally, check the dimensions of the blanket to ensure that it's big enough for your needs. A blanket should cover your whole body during savasana, but bigger blankets aren't just for tall yogis — they can also be folded in a larger variety of ways to help customize the height and level of support.
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The Expert-Recommended Pick
- Also available on Everyday Yoga, $50, and Gaiam, $50
“A 100% cotton brand that I recommend would be the Halfmoon yoga blankets,” DeFlorio-Reid wrote. They’re oversized, soft, and comfortable while still remaining supportive — and they have special flat selvage edges so you can fold them with precision when supporting different poses. Since this blanket is thinner than a traditional Mexican blanket, it’s easier to roll into a bolster-like shape, plus it’s durable and machine-washable so it can stand up to your practice. Finally, it comes in 10 different designs, from subtle pastels to beachy stripes.
- Size: 60 by 80 inches
One reviewer wrote: “Great for sitting meditation. Perfect for placing behind your knees for specific yoga moves. Awesome to throw over your shoulders [...] I love my halfmoon yoga blanket.”
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The Most Budget-Friendly Pick
Save a bit of money with El Paso Designs’s yoga blanket, which comes in a huge range of eye-catching colors. Each one is created on a loom using recycled acrylic materials, a loose-stitch, and a traditional Mexican pattern. Despite its price, this blanket has a 4.7-star rating and over 6,900 reviews. It’s also machine-washable and can be tumble-dried on low heat.
- Size: 74 by 54 inches
One reviewer wrote: “I purchased this blanket to use in my yoga practice. It is perfect; soft, light weight enough so that it isn’t bulky, and just the right length.”
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The Most Affordable Cotton Yoga Blanket
For those who’d prefer all-natural materials, the Lotuscrafts yoga blanket is made from 100% cotton; it’s also manufactured and dyed under sustainable and fair working conditions. Yes, it’s thinner than most — but since it’s fairly large, you can customize your level of support, thickness, and warmth by folding it in various ways. You can also wash it in the machine.
- Size: 80 by 60 inches
One reviewer wrote: “Just the right thickness and texture; pure cotton comfort; washes well. I spread it on top of a rug to do some exercises. The larger size (compared with a standard yoga mat) allows a lot more freedom. Great product!”
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The Mexican Yoga Blanket That Comes In 13 Colors
Looking for something that's warm, durable, supportive, washable, and highly reviewed? Go with this traditional yoga blanket from YogaAccessories. It’s made with acrylic, polyester, and a touch of cotton, and it’s fully machine-washable to ensure that it stays clean, whether you’re using it at home or in the studio. With its weight of 2.4 pounds, it’s thin enough that you can retain your balance, but thick enough that it’s supportive and cozy. Get it in your choice of 13 different colors. No wonder it has an overall rating of 4.6 stars from over 1,400 Amazon reviewers.
- Size: 75 by 52 inches
One reviewer wrote: “I use this great blanket folded under my bum for legs up the wall yoga pose and blanket style over me in a cool room for corpse pose. Also took it to the stadium for a concert and it was comfortable and a great barrier on cold metal bleachers. It washes well and is lofty and soft.”
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The Best For Restorative Practices
DeFlorio-Reid also recommends the Yogikuti Yoga blanket, which was hand-woven by experienced Indian artisans using 100% cotton. It’s made specifically for relaxing, restorative poses because it’s warm, skin-friendly, soft, and easy to fold into various shapes. It’s also larger than most traditional Mexican blankets, so it can cover your whole body while you’re in a restorative pose for a long period of time.
- Size: 80 by 60 inches
One reviewer wrote: “Substantial yet soft feeling, beautiful purple blanket. [...] Lovely medium deep purple color. Will be great for restorative yoga since these blankets are fairly soft but also feel sturdy.”
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An Eco-Friendly Wool Yoga Blanket
Wool is a great fabric for fitness activities because, despite its warmth, it wicks moisture and is surprisingly breathable. This blanket from the yoga brand Manduka is made from 75% wool and 25% synthetic materials (so it’s technically a blend) — and both of the aforementioned are fully recycled, so it’s an eco-friendly pick too. You can wash this blanket on the delicate cycle and hang it out to dry, which will preserve its soft, plush texture that works equally well as a support prop or a savasana cover. Finally, since it’s the largest blanket on this list, it’s likely the best pick for tall yogis.
- Size: 82 by 60 inches
One reviewer wrote: “I love this blanket for yoga. You can fold it up and roll it to create a robust bolster, or you can spread it out and it will cover you completely in savasana. It is excellent knee padding for low lunges. I love that it is mostly recycled materials (wool) and is well bound (new material). It is a little scratchy because it is wool, but it also helps with temperature regulation because it’s wool - neither too hot nor too cold. It is versatile - made to be just about any thickness needed!”
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The Highest-Rated Handcrafted Mexican Blanket
The Benevolence LA Authentic Mexican blanket has earned a near-perfect overall score of 4.8 stars, making it one of the highest-rated options on Amazon. It’s handwoven by artisans on a traditional wooden loom using 100% recycled fibers, and it contains a blend of cotton, acrylic, and polyester. Reviewers love it because it’s warm, supportive, easy to fold, and holds up really well to everything they’ve thrown at it — including countless cycles through the wash and use as a picnic blanket at the beach.
- Size: 50 by 80 inches
One reviewer wrote: “High quality for yoga usage. Plush yet durable. I’m totally satisfied. Even though it’s brand new- it’s not hard or smelly of harsh dyes. This is the ultimate brand.”
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