Best Yoga Blankets & Meditation Shawls (The Most Versatile Yoga Prop)

Meditation should be a joyous, uplifting experience.

It should signify a calm space in our life, one where day-to-day turmoils cannot enter.

We can heighten this feeling by treating ourselves to some simple accessories: a good meditation cushion, a timer and, perhaps, a well-made meditation shawl.

It just goes to make our five or ten minute period meditating that much more enticing.

Here’s a selection of several wonderful meditation shawls for you to consider.

Most are made in Eastern countries, usually in India. I’ve included a description of each shawl within the article. I’ve picked them for their designs and the quality of the material.

A meditation shawl is simply a blanket that you can drape around yourself. It might not seem like it, but it really can make you feel more comfortable.

Generally speaking, you want a shawl that is at least 100cm (40 inches) by 200cm. The word “pashmina” refers to a very fine and soft cashmere wool made in India.

The Best Yoga Blankets and Buddhist Meditation Shawls

OM Yoga Prayer Shawl

OM Meditation and Yoga Shawls: If you’re searching for a beautiful, high quality, inexpensively priced meditation scarf, then the OM rainbow colored shawl is perfect.

This over-sized scarf, which is made using viscose rayon, is both beautiful and affordable. It is worth noting that the scarf has the sacred OM symbol masterfully knitted into its pattern.

Each scarf has different color stripes making each one individual and unique.

The OM meditation and yoga shawl is perfect for morning meditation sessions, and can even be worn during the day to remind you to stay mindful and present.

Takhi Merino Handwoven Oversized Shawl

Takhi Merino Handwoven Shawls: If you are looking for a lavish hand-knotted, handwoven scarf, then this is the perfect option for you.

The Takhi Merino Handwoven Shawl is solid with simple border designs, available in three colors and made using 100% merino wool.

Takhi Merino scarves should keep you warm as you meditate. You could also wear them on a chilly day.

Peach Couture Elegant Double Layer Reversible Shawl

Double Layer Reversible Paisley Pashmina Shawl: This item is relatively inexpensive, compared to other items shawls on the list. 28in by 70in and in a very wide variety of colors.

This is the best option if you want something cheap (inexpensive) that also looks and feels great.

Tache Tartan Plaid Warm Winter Meditation Blanket

Tache Tartan Throw Blanket by Tache Home Fashion: The is a very simple option! Plus, it’s inexpensive so you can’t really go wrong with this tache tartan blanket.

It’s wonderfully soft and big enough at 50 by 60 inches to wrap yourself up completely during meditation.

Ziji Meditation Shawl

100% Wool Meditation Shawl by ZijiHandicrafts Nepal: This 100% wool shawl was hand-crafted in Dharamsala, India.

This shawl is excellent for use in meditation, prayer, mindfulness activities or breathing exercises. It’s a lovely color too. This is the kind of shawl that you find piled up in retreat centers.

Om Gayatri Mantra Meditation Yoga Prayer Embossed Shawl

Om Gayatri Yoga Prayer Shawl by Rajasthan Cottage: This cotton shawl, which 28 by 78 inches long, has a silky feel. It features the om meditation (aum) symbol and the Gayatri mantra (a very widely-recited Vedic mantra).

It’s very well-priced and a good choice if you want something with a “spiritual feel” but don’t want to pay a huge amount.

If you liked this short selection why not also have a look at our selection of meditation cushions and best incense for meditation. Also, if you’ve bought a good shawl that you use for meditation, please mention the shawl that you use in the comments.

What’s the Purpose of a Meditation Shawl?

Maybe I’m a little biased since I own a website dedicated to meditation, yoga, and mindfulness, although I think most people would benefit from owning a meditation prayer shawl.

They’re functional, warm and incredibly cozy blankets.

Finding the right meditation blanket is like finding the perfect couch. It looks good, it feels good, and you can see a use for it.

I’ve mentioned it before, but purchasing a meditation blanket, bench, cushion or even starting yoga can make all the difference when it comes to your meditations.

If you have found yourself sitting on the bare ground or sitting on the floor, you have likely felt the pressure start to built-up on your back, ankles, and knees.

This can be uncomfortable even when you are not doing any meditation. Now, imagine meditating like this for nearly half an hour or more.

Luckily, meditation cushions and blankets are not that expensive. If you engage in daily meditation, you should seriously consider getting one as soon as possible.

There Are Many Uses of a Meditation Shawl

Shawls are used for:

• providing comfort in times of stress or loss
• when undergoing medical procedures
• during illness and recovery
• during meditation, prayer or bereavement periods
• when birthing or nursing a newborn baby
• during weddings, bridal showers or commitment ceremonies
• during important ritual occasions
• during menses, ordinations, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations
• during socializing
• as holiday presents and many other uses

The possible uses for meditation shawls are practically endless. It is also customary for people to gift meditation shawls for loved ones. The giver will often choose to personalize the shawl for the recipient by adorning it with charms, feathers, shells, and mala beads.

What Is a Meditation Blanket?

First and foremost, a meditation blanket is merely an oversized blanket that is uniquely styled and can be folded into a thick bolster or wrapped around you to provide comfort during meditation.

Meditation blankets come in many different colors, prints, materials, sizes, and shapes. They are more portable that cushions making them easier to travel with or carry around.

Thicker blankets are better if you prefer additional comfort, support or like to sit higher. These, however, tend to be heavier. They can be folded in longways to be fit under both knees which makes them great for kneeling meditations.

Alternatively, they can be folded into a thick bolster for lotus style meditations. These blankets are often of Indian or Mexican origin and feature a wide range of wool blends.

There are also round mandala-printed blankets that are lightweight and thin. These blankets can be folded or rolled into different sizes and thicknesses. They, however, do not provide as much cushioning and support.

The main advantage of this type of blanket is that they are easy to carry around or take along with you while traveling. Many of these blankets can also double as shawls like those worn on beaches and safaris.

Who Needs a Meditation Shawl?

Before anything else, you need to ask yourself how often you intend to meditate.

If you plan on meditating between three and five times a week, I would advise getting a simple cushion or blanket.

I say this because, when began using a meditation blanket, I started off with some thick blankets that I already had at home.

They were good for the most part, but I later realized that all I needed was one large blanket or maybe two plus a quality yoga mat.

I folded my meditation blanket and placed it under my bottom. I found that I still needed a yoga mat or another blanket to support and cushion my knees. Alternatively, you can use the blanket under a zafu.

As I mentioned, the blankets were good for the most part. However, after a couple of meditations, I realized that the microfiber blankets I was using were not as comfortable as I wanted.

But, if you do not intend to meditate that often, you can easily use something you already have at home. If you want to meditate on a regular basis, you can go ahead and get a high-quality meditation blanket.

Types of Meditation Blankets

As I said, there are numerous types of meditation blankets. You can choose between thick blankets, round mandala blankets and wool and synthetic blankets.

There are also some high-end cashmere blankets if you want to splurge.

Here is a brief explanation of each:

1. Round Mandala Blankets: These have color prints. The blankets are thin and typically made of cotton so don’t expect them to make a comfortable bolster.

2. Wool & Synthetic Blankets: These come in solid colors. They are very warm.

3. Mexican Blankets: These are very thick and are made from materials such as acrylic, polyester, and cotton. They come in striped and solid patterns and have fringe ends. They are of very high quality and are the most popular meditation blankets at the moment.

When making a comparison of meditation blankets, look for blankets that are high quality and reliable.

The blanket provides a lot of styles, versatility, and comfort. I was impressed with the thickness, weight, and large size of the blanket. The blanket is perfect for both meditation and yoga.

Incorporating Meditation into Your Life

Meditation is an action in which a person trains the mind to be induced into a state of relaxed consciousness to gain some benefit or as an end in itself.

Meditation has been used since antiquity and is a major component in many of the world’s cultures.

Learning this very basic art will allow you to undergo a psychological process in which your attention will be brought to the internal and external experiences around you in what is called mindfulness.

Many scientific studies have shown that meditation and mindfulness are heavily correlated with greater well-being and perceived health.

The effects of meditation can range from the relief of stress to a general reduction of anxiety and even depression. Today, more and more people are only now discovering the benefits that this ancient practice can yield in our hectic and often toxic reality today.

Next, let’s discuss 6 simple steps to start meditating and how it will make the greatest difference in your life.

Step 1: Settle on a Purpose for Meditating

Whether you’re searching for inner peace, an alleviation of stress, or just simply curious, it is important to know exactly what it is you want out of meditation. This is so that you have a clear goal to work towards and a source of drive.

Meditation takes some practice to be able to do with ease so don’t get frustrated. Having a clear objective to work towards will give you enough motivation to continue your practice.

It can be anything from a desire to be more grounded and calmer or to find out inner truths about yourself that you wouldn’t have discovered in the regular course of our hectic lives.

Step 2: Find Your Area of Practice

This should be a spot that’s free of external distractions. An area that is quiet and relatively peaceful for you.

It can be anywhere you find peaceful but if you have your own bedroom then this will likely be the best spot. Once you have an area to meditate, clear it of any dirt or clutter.

You might want to create a meditation alter with crystals, rocks, candles and/or anything you feel will aid you in your meditations. You may also play meditation music, light incenses, or use scented candles for a nice aroma.

Step 3: Find your Sitting Position

There are many recommendations out there on how best to sit for meditation. However, the emphasis is still on your own comfort. You get no benefit out of the full lotus position as a beginner – aside from joint pain.

Find a position you feel the most comfortable in. This may be the cross-legged position, sitting on a cushion, or even sitting on a chair if your legs tend to get numb from sitting cross-legged. There are also recommended meditation benches for bad knees.

Step 4: Clear your Mind

Once you are seated, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and just relax.

Step 5: Allow your Thoughts to Float Away (Don’t Fixate)

Many people make the mistake of thinking that meditating is literally about trying your best to think about nothing. Keeping your mind an empty void.

This is simply not true since in its simply impossible to think of absolutely nothing.

Meditation is, in fact, the opposite. You must allow yourself to think but do not fixate. You are an observer and must simply acknowledge a thought and let it go.

Allow yourself to understand that those thoughts and emotions exist. The thoughts are there but do not engage any of them, instead let them float away. This is also where you develop mindfulness.

This will take some practice and a lot of focus on most thoughts, feelings or images tend to warrant a reaction. For example, you have a thought that says “I have to go to work tomorrow”, you must learn to acknowledge that thought is there but not fixate on it.

If you engage in this thought, it will, in turn, affect you in ways such as: feeling annoyed that you have to work, or worrying about some deadline you have to meet.

This must be avoided.

Your goal is to reach the state of an observer, not to engage your thoughts.

The purpose of this is to clear your mind of all the thoughts that are fighting for your attention. You are clearing them out – one by one.

After routine meditations, you will eventually reach inner quietness in which you are at peace with yourself. You will be able to focus much more than before and live more in the present.

Step 6: Coming Out of Your Meditation

Meditate for as long as you want or until you feel cleansed and purified.

30 minutes should cut it but if you wish to go longer then that’s perfect!

When you are ready to return to your physical self, begin by acknowledging the physical world around you. Then, acknowledge your physical body and slowly open your eyes.

Take your time when doing this and do not rush. If you open your eyes too quickly and try to resume physical activities, you will be left feeling jarred.

Spend some time after meditating, still seated, to reflect on the thoughts, emotions, and images you’ve gone through during your meditation. Try also to put your thoughts to the present without prejudice or judgment.

Some Reminders:

It is common among novices to find themselves falling asleep during their meditations. This can be due to mental fatigue caused by a lot of mental clutter.

To avoid dozing off during meditations, it would be best to meditate in the morning after waking up. You will find yourself even more energized after.

Some individuals experience resistance when trying to meditate. This is because of the negative thoughts that come to the surface.

It is important that you remain an OBSERVER in meditating and not and ENGAGER.

Realize that those thoughts, feelings, or images exist in your mind but they will simply float away. Once you get past these resistances, your meditation will become a more comfortable and easy experience.

Meditation and mindfulness can help combat depression, alleviate anxiety, greatly lessen stress, and improve your general well-being.

It helps you focus and turns you into a calmer, more grounded human being. It has been in practice for thousands of years by a multitude of races, religions, and traditions.

Cultivate this indispensable habit for your own inner growth and health.