Welcome to this step by step tutorial on how to make a homemade yoga bolster. This is a no sewing necessary guide on how to make a yoga bolster (because I sure as heck can’t sew). Using some common household items, I’m going to show you how to make a yoga bolster with quilts. You can also use blankets.
At the time that I’m writing this, the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a growing and immanent danger in the USA. People are practicing self-quarantine and social distancing. Schools, places of work and gyms have closed down and we’re all spending a lot of time at home at the moment.
As a full time personal trainer and fitness instructor, I want to help my clients and group exercise students find creative ways to stay active at home. I’ve created a free online Facebook group where I provide daily workout videos, recipes and healthy living advice (click here and answer the group questions to join in).
One of the biggest challenges in learning to workout at home for many people is getting creative to transform household items into exercise equipment. So I’ve created this guide on how to make a yoga bolster with quilts (or blankets) so that my clients, students and Facebook group members can create their own homemade yoga bolster in order to participate in an upcoming restorative yoga routine in my Facebook group.
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What is a Yoga Bolster?
A yoga bolster (sometimes called a yoga pillow) is a tool that can be used to create relaxation during a yoga practice, soften a yoga posture or assist in opening up the body.
They are like a body pillow but with a more firm structure than a standard pillow to help support the users body weight and are very commonly used in restorative yoga and prenatal yoga.
Some come in a round shape.
Rounded Yoga Bolster
(Click here to see pricing on Amazon)
Others in a rectangular shape.
Rectangular Yoga Bolster
(Click here to see pricing on Amazon)
A solid yoga bolster is a wonderful investment, but you can also use a few common household items to make your own yoga bolster at home, on a budget and without having to sew a single stitch.
So let’s get started on learning how to make a yoga bolster with quilts.
How to Make a Yoga Bolster with Quilts
What You’ll Need:
- 4 large quilts (if you don’t have any quilts, regular blankets will do the trick).
- 2 large pillow cases
I chose to use quilts because they provide a greater firmness, similar to that of a more traditional yoga bolster. A bolster should be more firm than a typical pillow, to help support the weight of your body while you are resting on it in a yoga posture.
Assembling Your Homemade Yoga Bolster
These are quilts that were hand by and given to me over the years by my grandmother. Aren’t they beautiful? (Thank you, Mema!)
As you can see, they are a variety of lengths, widths and thicknesses. Not a problem at all. The quilts do not need to be uniform in order for this to work.
Begin by folding all of the quilts in half length-wise. Compare to see which quilts are the widest and longest.
Next, layer the quilts so the widest/longest quilts are on bottom and the thinnest/shortest quilts stack on top.
Next, roll the blankets into one long cylinder. Try to keep a somewhat tight, compact roll (but don’t overthink it either, it should only take a few moments for you to roll this up).
You want to create a fairly sizable structure that can fully support the body from the base of the neck and skull down through the length of the spine.
This t-shirt quilt is just fabulous, by the way, isn’t it? This was a Christmas gift request I made of my Mema a few years back.
I sent her a couple bags full of t-shirts that my husband and I had collected over the years (many before we knew each other) that we no longer wore and were taking up space in our closet but had various degrees of sentimental attachment.
We didn’t want to get rid of them, so she turned them into a t-shirt quilt. Now we can keep all those wonderful memories alive for years to come with this family treasure of a quilt.
(If you don’t have a quilt-making-Mema, you can find people online who make t-shirt quilts for commission!)
Next, find two long pillow cases. Pull them onto either end of the rolled up quilts just like you would pull them over a pillow.
And there you have it! Your very own homemade, new sewing require yoga bolster.
It’s not fancy, but it is very functional. This will get the job done and is the homemade yoga bolster I will be using in my virtual restorative yoga classes in my free fitness Facebook group.
Thank you for reading my step by step tutorial on how to make a yoga bolster with quilts. If you found this post useful, I simply ask that you share it with a friend.
And feel free to join in my Facebook group for free workouts, recipes and healthy living and nutrition tips (click here and answer the group questions to join in).
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All writing and images copyright © 2020 Rachel Elise Weems Woods
Christie Adams Design says
I love this idea!! I am going to give this a try with my teenage daughter!!
ReeseWoods says
It’s so straightforward and effective!
Amber Myers says
How cool! I love how this came out. Perfect for those who do Yoga.
ReeseWoods says
And perfect for anyone who wants to try out restorative yoga at home!
Marta says
LOOK AT THAT!! I was wanting one after seeing you use one in an IG post and now I can make my own! Thank you!
ReeseWoods says
You can do it!!
Tami says
I have a linen shelf full of blankets and quilts I’m about to throw out. The four in the best shape will now be repurposed for this.
ReeseWoods says
Yes, girl! Do it!
Sharon says
These look so easy to make and I love that they are able to be put away easily when not in use. Very neat!
ReeseWoods says
And super versatile!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
That is a smart way of making an improvise yoga bolster if you don’t have one yet.
ReeseWoods says
It’s a great DIY tool!