Eye Pillows vs Sleep Masks for Yoga: Why I’m Switching Things Up
Welcome back to my Yoga props for home practice series! If we haven’t met yet, I’m Nick Danu – a therapeutic Yoga teacher, Yin Yoga teacher trainer, and Yoga business mentor. I started this series because so many of my students were getting overwhelmed trying to figure out what props to buy for their home practice.
To watch me talk about this Scroll down to the video
Here’s the thing: when I first started teaching, there were only a few quality prop companies out there. Now? Everyone’s jumped on the “let’s make money off Yoga” bandwagon, and honestly, a lot of it is just… not great. I don’t want you wasting your money on stuff that’s not necessary or won’t last. I’d much rather you invest in good quality items that’ll serve you for years.
So far in this series, we’ve covered blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, and mats. Today I wanted to pause and talk about something that’s definitely a “nice to have” rather than a must-have – but it’s something that’s recently changed my practice in a surprising way.
Let’s talk about eye pillows and sleep masks.
My Eye Pillow Love Affair
I’ve been using eye pillows for years. Mine is made of silk on the outside with a bit of flax on the inside. They come scented and unscented, I prefer unscented because of allergies (especially if you’re using them at a studio). This little guy has been my companion in Yin poses where I’m lying on my back, in Restorative practices, and during yoga nidra sessions. Blocking out the light really does help you relax on a deeper level.
A few tips if you go the eye pillow route:
- Don’t get one that’s too heavy. We don’t want a lot of weight on the eyeballs. If yours feels heavy, pull it up so it sits more on your brow bone.
- Consider a dark color. I didn’t get black just because I love black (though I do). It’s also practical – if you’re wearing mascara or eyeliner, you don’t want to wreck your pretty light-colored pillow.
- Get creative with uses. I’ve seen people use them as light weights in Restorative Yoga, to ground an extended arm, or to fill little nooks. I recently discovered tucking mine between my knee and foot when sitting adds nice support.
But Then… I Started Cheating
Okay, lean in. I’ve been cheating on my eye pillow.
I go to a Restorative class most weeks at a studio where I teach, and every time we’d shift positions, my eye pillow would slip off. You’re getting this nice dark cocoon energy and then – oops – light comes flooding in. And forget about lying on your side on a bolster – trying to balance an eye pillow on your head in that position? Not happening.
So I started thinking, “Maybe I’ll just skip the eye pillow.”
Then I saw a student nearby who was clearly a Restorative Yoga pro. Not only did she have her own cozy fleece blanket, but she also had a sleep mask. And I thought… wait. Wouldn’t this make way more sense?
The Sleep Mask Revelation
Don’t get me wrong, eye pillows are great if you’re in one position on your back and aren’t moving for a while. But if you’re going to roll over and shift around? The sleep mask wins.
I actually have two sleep masks (I use them for sleeping too), but one has become my go-to for Yoga class. Here’s why I love it:
- It has a rim around it so it doesn’t sit directly on my eyes. No squished eyelashes, no smeared makeup.
- Thin elastic band that just pops over your head. My other mask has thick Velcro that’s uncomfortable when lying on your back, but this one is so thin you barely feel it.
- It stays put. No more slipping off when I transition between poses.
- Easy to peek. If I need to see to transition into a new pose, I can just lift it slightly and peek – no dramatic thud of an eye pillow hitting the floor.
The main difference? Eye pillows have weight; sleep masks have practically none. Some people really like that gentle weight, so it’s personal preference.
What to Look For in a Sleep Mask
If you’re considering going this route:
- Look for ones with a contoured rim so it doesn’t press on your eyes (these cost more but are worth it)
- Choose thin elastic over thick Velcro if you’ll be lying on your back
- Go with black or dark colors if you wear eye makeup
- You can find inexpensive ones at drugstores meant for flying – you don’t have to invest a lot to try this out
Do You Actually Need This?
Here’s my honest take: an eye pillow or eye mask is a nice to have, not a need to have for Yoga. It depends on your practice style too.
If you do a really active practice and your final relaxation is five minutes? Maybe you don’t need to bust out all the props. But if you’re doing Yin practice where you really know the poses and can settle in deeply, or if you do Restorative Yoga or Yoga nidra? This might be a game-changer for you.
Technically speaking, you could put a little washcloth over your eyes to block out the light. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
But if you already have all the other props – blankets, blocks, bolsters, straps – and you’re looking to add a little more creature comfort to your practice? Or if it’s birthday or holiday time and you need gift ideas for the yogi in your life? One of these can be really lovely.
It’s amazing how much deeper you relax when you actually block out the light.
My Verdict
I tried leaving my eye pillow at home and taking my sleep mask to Restorative class as an experiment. I’m sold. Maybe at home when I’m doing one pose for a long time or a Yoga Nidra practice, I’ll pick up my eye pillow again. But for classes where I’m moving around? Sleep mask all the way.
I hope you found this helpful!
Check out the rest of my Yoga props series for reviews on other essential equipment.
Until we meet again!
xo
nyk
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