Yoga: A Props Guide

It’s common to overlook the prop station at your yoga studio or when building your own at-home collection. The abundance of prop options can be intimidating for some, while others may believe that props are unnecessary. They might think that props are only for beginners or inflexible individuals, or that they’re only required for restorative or yin yoga classes. However, the truth is that props offer benefits for everyone and can be utilized in all types of yoga. Neglecting props and attempting to force yourself into a pose without support can lead to serious injuries.

Before delving into the basics of yoga gear, let’s debunk a prevalent misconception about yoga: the idea that a pose should look a certain way. In reality, each person has a unique body type and bone structure. Consequently, a yoga pose will never appear identical on different individuals, and more importantly, you should never try to mimic someone else’s pose for the sake of your body’s safety. 

This underscores the importance of props in every yogi’s practice. Not every yoga pose will be accessible to everybody. Whether you’re holding poses in a yin yoga class or flowing through them at a faster pace in a vinyasa yoga class, yoga props serve as valuable tools to support you, help you find balance, achieve proper alignment, and more. In the following sections, we will explore essential yoga equipment and explain why it’s beneficial to have a variety of yoga props readily available for your yoga practice.

Essential Yoga Equipment and its Benefits

1. Yoga Blocks

Yoga blocks are an incredibly versatile tool and are considered a must-have for any home practice, as shared by a therapeutic yoga teacher.

Here are some of the benefits of using yoga blocks:

1. Enhances stability: Yoga blocks provide added support and stability during various poses, helping you maintain proper alignment and balance.

2. Brings the ground closer or within reach: In poses like forward folds, yoga blocks can bring the ground closer to you, allowing you to comfortably reach the desired position without straining.

3. Offers more space in the body: By using yoga blocks, you can create more space in your body, particularly in poses that require lengthening or opening specific areas.

4. Can turn active poses into resting poses: Certain active poses, such as bridge poses, can be modified with yoga blocks to transform them into more restful and gentle variations.

5. Alternative to a meditation cushion: While not the most ideal prop for meditation (see: Yoga Bolsters below), yoga blocks can serve as a temporary option for supporting your lower back by elevating your hips higher than your knees during seated poses in the opening or closing portions of an asana class.

In summary, yoga blocks offer multiple benefits, including stability, accessibility, body space, pose variations, and even a temporary support option for meditation.

2. Yoga Bolsters

Yoga bolsters, although not used in all yoga poses, become essential once you experience the incredible support provided by these thick cushions. They are particularly beneficial in restorative yoga or yin yoga classes. As one yoga teacher explains, “Bolsters are utilized to promote relaxation, create a sense of softness in postures, and facilitate opening in the body.”

Here are some benefits of using a yoga bolster:

1. Firm seat for meditation or seated poses: A yoga bolster offers a stable and comfortable foundation, allowing you to maintain a proper posture and focus during meditation or seated poses.

2. Brings the ground closer or within reach: In certain poses, a yoga bolster can bring the ground closer to you, enabling a more accessible and comfortable alignment.

3. Can open the heart and body: Yoga bolsters are particularly useful in heart-opening poses, as they provide gentle support and help create space in the chest and body.

4. Great for restorative yoga and yin yoga: Yoga bolsters are commonly used in restorative yoga and yin yoga practices, where longer holds and deep relaxation are emphasized. They facilitate a sense of ease, comfort, and restoration during these gentle and nurturing practices.

In summary, yoga bolsters offer a firm seat for meditation, bring the ground closer or within reach in poses, promote opening in the body, and are especially valuable for restorative yoga and yin yoga classes. Once you experience the support and comfort they provide, you’ll find it hard to attend a yoga class without one.

3. Yoga straps

Yoga straps are valuable tools in both active (yang) yoga styles and yin yoga. As explained by Brett Larkin, “Straps can be used to assist in binding your arms in different poses. They are lifesavers for individuals with tight hamstrings and shoulders. If you have limited flexibility or are new to yoga, a strap can safely guide you into poses that were previously challenging.”

Here are some benefits of using a yoga strap:

1. Enhances balance and alignment: By utilizing a yoga strap, you can improve your balance and refine your form in various poses. The strap provides support and stability, allowing you to find proper alignment and engage the targeted muscles effectively.

2. Improves posture: Regular use of a yoga strap can help correct and improve posture. It assists in aligning the spine, opening the chest, and drawing the shoulders back, promoting a more upright and aligned posture both on and off the mat.

3. Increases range of motion: Using a strap enables you to gradually increase your range of motion in different areas of the body, such as the shoulders, hamstrings, and hips. It allows for gentle and controlled stretching, helping to release tension and tightness over time.

4. Relieves shoulder tension: The yoga strap can be utilized to open up the shoulders, release tension, and improve flexibility in this area. By incorporating strap-assisted stretches and movements, you can promote greater mobility and ease in the shoulders.

Incorporating a yoga strap into your practice can bring about these benefits, supporting your overall body alignment, flexibility, and well-being. It is a versatile tool that can aid in enhancing your yoga practice and promoting a more balanced and aligned body.

4. Yoga Blanket

The yoga blanket is a highly versatile prop that offers a wide range of uses. It is a worthwhile investment due to its adaptability. You can fold it up to serve as a substitute for a meditation cushion, unfold it a few times to provide cushioning for sensitive knees during asana practice, roll it up to provide support for your neck and joints during restorative postures, or even use it to add warmth and gentle pressure during the final relaxation pose of savasana.

The benefits of using a yoga blanket include:

1. Cushions and supports sensitive joints, providing comfort during yoga poses.

2. Serves as an alternative to a meditation cushion, allowing for a comfortable and supported seated position during meditation.

3. Facilitates heart-opening poses, helping to open and expand the chest and promote a deeper stretch.

4. Provides warmth and gentle pressure during resting poses, promoting relaxation and a sense of grounding.

Overall, a yoga blanket enhances your practice by offering both physical support and added comfort.

5. Sandbags

Sandbags are often overlooked as a valuable yoga prop, but they offer numerous benefits to enhance your practice. As highlighted by Larkin, these weighted support systems provide grounding and enable yoga practitioners to surrender to deeper stretches and restorative postures.

The benefits of using sandbags include:

1. Therapeutic properties: The weight of the sandbag enhances a sense of ease and relaxation, promoting a deeper level of calm and comfort during your yoga practice.

2. Anchoring the body: By placing sandbags strategically, they help anchor and stabilize the body, allowing you to feel more grounded and supported in various poses.

3. Ideal for restorative yoga and yin yoga: Sandbags are particularly useful in these gentle and restful practices, where they can contribute to a greater sense of surrender and relaxation.

Incorporating sandbags into your yoga routine can bring about a new level of stability, tranquillity, and support, enriching your overall experience on the mat.

6. Yoga Mats

When it comes to yoga mats, just like understanding different props and their versatile uses, there is a wide variety of options available. 

Here are the benefits of each type to assist you in selecting the perfect mat for your practice:

Sticky Mats:

• Provide a secure and slip-free surface
• Suitable for all levels of yoga practitioners
• Lightweight yet durable for easy portability
• Hygienic and easy to clean

Eco-Friendly Mats:

• Biodegradable and environmentally conscious choice
• Free from toxins and chemicals
• Longer lifespan for sustainability
• Recyclable materials for reduced environmental impact

Travel Mats:

• Lightweight and highly portable
• Easy to fold or roll up for convenient transportation
• Ideal for those with limited storage space

Thick Mats:

• Offer comfort and cushioning for sensitive joints
• More durable compared to thinner mats
• Particularly beneficial for restorative and yin yoga classes

Hot Yoga Mats:

• Ultra sticky surface for enhanced grip
• Made from extra absorbent materials to manage perspiration
• Odour resistant to maintain freshness
• Designed with an ideal thickness to ensure grip and balance during hot yoga sessions

Considering these benefits, you can now make an informed decision to select the yoga mat that best suits your specific needs, preferences, and style of practice.