The Yoga Essentials Guide: Restorative Edition

We've put together a collection of the products we genuinely use and love to support a restorative practice—from cushioning to bolsters, blankets, and a few wellness favourites that help you settle into rest.

Iyengar Cotton Yoga Blankets

A quality yoga blanket is one of the most versatile props you can own. We use ours to add warmth during Savasana, support the knees and hips in seated poses, cushion sensitive joints, and create comfortable, well-supported restorative shapes.

These thick, handwoven cotton blankets provide the stability and support we look for in class while remaining soft, durable, and easy to fold into different heights. Whether you're building a home practice or deepening your restorative sessions, this is a prop you'll reach for again and again.

Manduka Align Yoga Strap

A yoga strap is one of the simplest tools for making your practice more accessible. Whether you're working on flexibility, improving alignment, or finding more ease in challenging poses, a quality strap helps you move safely without forcing your body.

We love the Manduka Align Yoga Strap for its durable cotton construction and secure metal buckle, making it easy to adjust and reliable for years of practice. It's especially useful for seated forward folds, shoulder stretches, binds, restorative poses, and improving mobility at your own pace.

Perfect for: Beginners, restorative yoga, mobility work, and anyone looking to practice with greater support and awareness.

Yoga Sandbags

Yoga sandbags are one of our favourite props for restorative yoga. The gentle weight encourages the body to soften, helps calm the nervous system, and provides grounding during longer-held poses, meditation, and breathwork.

We use sandbags to create a sense of stability and support by placing them over the thighs, hips, feet, or shoulders, helping the body release unnecessary tension without effort. This durable double-bag design helps prevent leaks and allows you to fill it with the weight that feels right for your practice.

Perfect for: Restorative yoga, Yoga Nidra, meditation, pranayama, relaxation, and creating a deeper sense of grounding.

Yoga Bolster

If we could recommend one prop for restorative yoga, it would be a quality bolster. It provides comfortable support that allows your body to fully relax, making restorative poses more accessible while reducing unnecessary strain on the joints and muscles.

We use bolsters for heart openers, gentle backbends, supported forward folds, hip openers, meditation, and Savasana. This buckwheat-filled bolster offers firm, stable support that holds its shape beautifully, helping you settle more deeply into each pose and encouraging true rest.

Perfect for: Restorative yoga, Yin yoga, meditation, breathwork, prenatal yoga, and anyone looking to bring more comfort and support into their practice.

Weighted Eye Pillow

A weighted eye pillow is a simple addition that can completely transform your relaxation practice. The gentle pressure over the eyes helps encourage deeper rest, eases facial tension, and signals the nervous system that it's time to slow down.

We love using an eye pillow during Savasana, Yoga Nidra, meditation, and restorative yoga to create a greater sense of calm and grounding. Filled with natural flaxseed and lavender, it provides soothing weight and a subtle, relaxing aroma to help you unwind even more deeply.

Perfect for: Restorative yoga, meditation, Yoga Nidra, Savasana, stress relief, and creating a spa-like experience at home.

Flameless Meditation Candles

Creating the right environment can make it easier to settle into your practice. We love using flameless candles to create a calming atmosphere for restorative yoga, meditation, breathwork, and Yoga Nidra—without the worry of an open flame.

They're also perfect for Trataka (Candle Gazing Meditation), a traditional yogic concentration practice that involves gently focusing your gaze on a single point to cultivate steadiness of mind, improve concentration, and prepare for meditation. These battery-operated candles provide a soft, steady glow, making them a safe and practical option for home practice or studio use.

Perfect for: Restorative yoga, meditation, Yoga Nidra, Trataka (candle gazing), sound baths, and creating a peaceful practice space.

Nag Champa Incense

For those who enjoy practicing with incense, Nag Champa has long been a favourite in yoga and meditation spaces around the world. Its warm, earthy aroma helps create a peaceful atmosphere, making it easier to settle into stillness and mark the beginning of your practice.

We often light incense before meditation, pranayama, or restorative yoga as a simple ritual to help shift from the busyness of the day into a more mindful state. A little goes a long way, creating an inviting space for reflection, relaxation, and presence.

Perfect for: Meditation, pranayama, restorative yoga, mindfulness practices, and creating a calming home sanctuary.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the best yoga props are the ones that help you feel supported, comfortable, and present in your practice. You don't need to buy everything at once. Start with the essentials (bolster(s), blanket (s), blocks, and then add pieces as your practice evolves. Choose tools that genuinely help you connect more deeply with your body and breath.

Whether you're unrolling your mat for five minutes or settling into a long restorative practice, we hope these recommendations help you create a space that feels supportive, calming, and uniquely yours.

Happy practicing,

Cyn & Nes

Moontara Yoga + Wellness Inc.

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