Hi.
I’m relatively new to practicing asanas and as my body begins to reshape itself I am wondering if there is a best kind of mattress and pillow for serious yoga student to be using to provide crucial benefit for the spine, neck and other areas of the body and support the overall practice and progress of the work done in asana practice? Can any experienced teachers or experts please share some helpful advice on this important subject?
I think the type of mattress that is best for a certain person differs from person to person, whether yogi or not.
I used to wake up with back pain everyday with my old mattress (no else who slept on it complained) but when I swtiched to a new mattress I immediately noticed a difference.
I think pillows will require some trials as well. I am very sensitive to having a proper pillow and will wake up with a sore head if my pillow is not just right.
In a nutshell, I think that one type of pillow or mattress is not right for everyone. It’ll take some research to find out what mya be right for you.
As you may know, I teach Purna Yoga™. Purna means “whole” or “complete” and therefore we teach a whole yoga. One of the four areas of our teaching is lifestyle/nutrition.
I would pay careful attention to the materials that are used in your bedding and linen. Some commonly used materials are flat out unhealthy while others are not in your “best interest”. This would also apply to the detergent you are using to wash your linens.
As for the bed itself, spring systems generally offer less in terms of spinal integrity. There are beds like the Soy-Rest and Strobel memory foam beds, Royal-Pedic’s organic cotton and wool mattress, and the amazing futons our own Soaring Heart futon’s produce here in Seattle. Bear in mind that not every “green” bed will be gold for your spine:-)
Please do not sleep on your belly - unless you’ve got a massage table to sleep on with a face cradle. If you must sleep on your side, wedge a pillow or small bolster between the thighs. In terms of pillows, a small roll under the cervical spine is best but very difficult for some to get used to.
Gordon
It's great that you're thinking about how your mattress and pillow affect your yoga practice. A good mattress can definitely support your spine and help with alignment, which is key for both rest and recovery. Many yoga practitioners find that a firmer mattress works best, as it provides better support for the body. If you need specific options, reaching out to Plank Mattress customer service could help you choose the best mattress that suits your needs for comfort and support. A supportive pillow for your neck can also make a big difference, especially after deep stretches or inversions.