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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.