5 Best Mexican Blankets You Can Use During Yoga That Won’t Break the Bank

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mexican blankets for yoga

Yoga props are frequently underrated. Many yogis feel like propping themselves up with blocks or using a strap to reach their foot makes them less of a yogi.

However, celebrity yoga teachers, and other experienced yoga teachers, are more than happy to use straps for backbends and blocks for standing poses!

You might be considering using straps and blocks, but what about blankets? If you regularly go to a yoga studio, you’ve probably seen piles of colorful Mexican blankets stacked in cubbies or against the back wall.

Have you thought, “What are they for? How would they serve as props during my yoga practice?”​

You will be surprised just how versatile a Mexican blanket can be!

At a Glance: The Best Mexican Yoga Blankets:

Types of Mexican Blankets​

There are a few different weaves of Mexican blankets, but the weave that is best for you ultimately depends on what you’re using the blanket for. We’ll get to those details later!

The Falsa​

The falsa is the most common type of blanket in yoga studios and on retail sites. There are three variations of the Falsa blanket, all of which utilize an X or box pattern for the entire length.​ (1)

The “standard” is the most common type found in yoga-related stores.

It’s longer at 74” inches and the weave is tight to withstand frequent use. The material is thick, so you’ll only need one or two of these blankets for your basic use.​

The Serape​

A serape is less of a blanket and more of a shawl. In traditional Mexican culture it was generally worn by men, but is now mostly used as a home blanket or decoration. (2)

A serape is brightly colored and fringed at the ends. Also, some variations of these blankets have hoods and openings for the head, similar to a poncho.

They can even be used for seated meditation or cushioning your knees, and you’re bound to find a color or pattern that appeals to you!​

Mexican Blanket Contents​

Traditional Mexican blankets are woven by hand with natural fibers, such as cotton and wool. Traditional blankets are much harder to find, and if you come across one that is hand woven, it won’t be cheap.

mexican blankets content

Mass machine production has increased the use of synthetic fibers, such as polyester and acrilon.

If you prefer natural fibers you should make sure to ask a salesperson for the fiber content before making your purchase.​

Wool blankets can’t be machine washed, so if you’re buying them for yoga students to use, you’ll want to search for all-cotton or synthetic fibers for ease of care.

You don’t want to spend hours hand washing or dry cleaning dozens of blankets every week!​

If you’re buying a blanket to use at home or for personal use, wool gets softer with every use, and it offers a cushier feel than other alternatives.

Wool is more expensive than cotton or synthetic fibers, so just keep that in mind while you’re shopping.​

Using Mexican Blankets in Your Yoga Practice​

It might seem silly to buy a blanket for the sole purpose of using it during yoga, but they're incredibly handy, especially if you have a thing for yin and restorative yoga.

Can’t quite picture how to use one? Here are a few ideas!​

Do You Have Fussy Knees?​

Roll a thick blanket up and you’ve got yourself a marvelous assistant, which will make certain poses more comfortable and rewarding.

  • Child’s pose: Roll your blanket up to your desired thickness, using a tight roll for firm support and a loose roll for more aid, then place the blanket behind your knees.

    This type of support reduces how deeply your knees are bending, making child’s pose more accessible if you have experienced a knee injury.
  • Single pigeon: While it’s a great hip opening pose, pigeon is stressful on your knees if your hips are tight, or if you’re a new student.

    When your hips and hamstrings are tight, the hip on your bent knee is going to be several inches off of the ground, facilitating knee pain in some yogis.

    To keep this from happening, fold or roll your Mexican blanket to the desired thickness, then wedge it under your hip so you can fully melt into your pose.

Replacing a Bolster

Maybe you’re old fashioned or you can’t bring yourself to drop $60+ on a yoga bolster.

Buy a few budget-friendly Mexican blankets and you’ve got yourself a customizable yoga bolster!

Roll your blanket up to make the following poses more restorative:​

  • Seated forward folds: If you aren’t the biggest fan of a seated fold, make the pose cozy with your blanket!

    Roll or fold as many blankets as you want, then stack them as sky high as necessary on your thighs.

    When you fold forward, you’ll have a comfy little table to snuggle.​
  • Legs up the wall pose: This is the tired person’s inversion, meaning if your legs are above your head, it’s an inversion!

    Get some extra inverting by putting a folded or rolled blanket under your hips, which gets your legs higher without requiring an extra effort.

    You can also place a blanket or two under your head if you’re feeling particularly drained.

The best Mexican Yoga Blankets on the market

If you’re unsure of where to look, let our guide help you get started!

YogaAccessories (TM) Traditional Mexican Yoga Blanket​

Sale
YogaAccessories Traditional Mexican Yoga Blanket ( Dark Purple)
  • Our high quality yoga blanklets are offered in a variety of bright color options
  • Composed of 50% acrylic / 40% polyester / 10% cotton

Last update on 2020-05-01 at 02:20  - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

These blankets come in an assortment of bright colors and patterns, and they’re extra soft so you can use them for more than yoga!

  • They’re woven with a cotton blend for cushioning, softness, and ease of care.
  • These Mexican blankets are 100% machine washable.
  • YogaAccessories blankets are pretty sizeable at 74” by 52”.
  • The weave is loose, which means you won’t be able to use them as a yoga rug if you’re an Ashtanga yogi.
  • These blankets are fairly thin, so if you need a lot of support, you’ll want to order more than one.

Authentic Mexican Falsa Blanket​

Authentic Mexican Falsa Blanket
  • Blanket size approximately 76" L x 53" W inches
  • Authentic Mexican Blanket Made in Mexico

Last update on 2020-05-01 at 02:20  - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

These traditional Falsa blankets are perfect for your yoga practice or just for cuddling up with on the couch.

  • Bright and attractive colors make this great for your yoga practice, or for draping over the back of your couch.
  • The blanket softens with each wash, providing the perfect softness for restorative yoga poses.
  • Falsa blankets are very affordable, which is a plus if you need to purchase a stack for your yoga studio.
  • The thin weave leads to thread shifting over time, especially if you machine wash it frequently.
  • You don’t get to choose your color, so if you’re picky on colors, this might not be the best choice for you.

Hand Woven Diamond Mexican Yoga Blankets​

RollingSandsHarmony Hand Woven Diamond Mexican Yoga Blankets Red
  • Diamond Style Yoga Blanket Measures 82" Long x 52" Wide, and Weighs Approx. 3 Pounds
  • Hand Woven in Mexico

Last update on 2020-05-01 at 02:20  - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you want truly authentic yoga blankets, these are about as authentic as you can get!

  • Diamond Yoga blankets handwoven in Mexico and made with a cotton blend.
  • These beauties measure 82" long x 52" wide and weigh a hefty three pounds. You won’t lack for thickness with these!
  • You can choose a variety of unique colors including bright blues, pretty pinks, and sassy oranges.
  • The colors vary in real life, but this is usually due to the extravagant handweaving process.
  • There are various imperfections found in most blankets, but this is typical for handcrafted goods.

El Paso Designs Serape Style Falsa Blanket​

El Paso Designs Serape Style Falsa Blanket. Classic Mexican Style Serape Pattern...
  • Made in Mexico! Serape Style Falsa blanket features the traditional Mexican pattern of colorful stripes and a bright cascading gradient design
  • This Mexican blanket is tightly hand-woven from acrylic resulting in a heavy tapestry that almost feels like wool

Last update on 2020-05-01 at 02:20  - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

These blankets come in traditional colors. They’re also extra thick for durability and comfort during your practice!

  • El Paso Designs are handwoven with acrylic, making them extremely tough no matter how much you use them.
  • Blankets measure 57 inches x 74 inches, so when they’re folded or rolled, you plenty of cushioning.
  • The colors are extremely vibrant and attractive! If your influenced by color during your practice, you need of these blankets to add to your prop collection.
  • The number of supported devices to stream your classes makes Grokker a true to-go platform for your fitness needs.

    View your classes/recipes on your iPhone or iPad, Apple TV, or computer
  • These Mexican blankets are not machine washable, so don’t purchase them for your studio unless you want a big dry cleaning bill!

Del Mex X-large Mexican Serape Blanket​

Del Mex (TM) X-Large Mexican Serape Blanket Red (82" by 62")
  • X-large Serape Blanket perfect for Decor
  • Great for many uses; pic nic, hot rod, tablecloth

Last update on 2022-08-13 at 04:07  - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you like the colorful stripes of the traditional Serape blankets, you’ll fall in love with these!

  • The traditional handweaving process complements the colors, and the soft cotton/acrylic blend is ideal for cozy restorative yoga poses.
  • Blanket dimensions are 62"x82", ensuring plenty of support in seated poses.
  • The acrylic in the fiber blend doesn’t make this the thickest blanket out there, but it’s good for rolling up for certain yoga poses.

Whether you’re propping yourself up in seated poses, sinking into them in restorative asanas or covering yourself for a quiet savasana, every yogi should have at least one blanket in their arsenal of yoga tools.​

If Mexican blankets have been a staple in your practice for ages, what are your favorite ways to use them?​

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