The History of Yoga Bolsters

Pillows have long been used in India for pranayama, meditation, and to promote relaxation during or after yoga sessions. When yoga was introduced to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, yoga teachers began to experiment with pillows to help students relax during meditation and after asanas. For example, around this time, the yogi Mittra began sewing pillows by hand in different shapes for students to sit on. Then in 1976, the yogi Iyengar created a hard bolster that offered support for both beginners and advanced yogis alike. These early bolsters were made in a furniture factory, so they were quite stable and stuffed with cotton. Over time, they were replaced with modern yoga bolsters, which are typically smaller and stuffed with foam. While these bolsters are widely available today, some yogis, including Iyengar yogis, still prefer to use firm bolsters stuffed with organic materials due to the superior support.