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If you’ve ever thought yoga props were only for beginners or those with limited flexibility, think again! Yoga props aren’t just for making postures easier—they’re tools for making your practice deeper, stronger, and more accessible.
Did you hear that my over achieving yogi friends? Props are for you too!
Props help refine alignment, prevent injury, and provide the support needed to explore postures with greater stability and confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just beginning, using props can enhance your practice in ways you might not expect.
~Why Props Are for Everyone~
Yoga props allow you to customize poses to your body, rather than forcing your body into a rigid form. They can help you:
✔ Improve alignment and posture
✔ Aid in building strength + length, versus hypermobility
✔ Reduce strain and prevent injury
✔ Deepen stretches and open the body safely
✔ Build strength in a controlled way
✔ Hold poses longer and with greater ease
✔ Help open up the chest when its hard to breathe in a pose
✔ Provide support that ALL of us need
Now, let’s explore how to use some of the most popular props!
1. Yoga Blocks: Your New Best Alignment Buddy
Blocks are one of the most versatile yoga props. They bring the floor closer to you, making poses more accessible, but they can also be used for strengthening and deepening stretches.
✨ Some Examples:
• Tight hamstrings? Place blocks under your hands in forward folds to maintain a straight spine.
• Need balance? In Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), use a block under your bottom hand to avoid collapsing into the pose.
• Want to build core strength? Squeeze a block between your thighs in Plank Pose for better engagement.
• A block can be used in just about any pose to make it more accessible!
2. Straps: Your Secret to Deep Flexibility
A yoga strap helps extend your reach, making challenging poses more attainable while keeping you aligned.
✨ Ways to Use:
• Need more flexibility in your folds? Loop a strap around your feet and gently pull to stretch safely.
• Want to master King Dancer Pose? Use a strap to bridge the gap between your hands and your foot, gradually increasing mobility.
3. Bolsters: The Key to Relaxation and Support ~ Basically a big yoga pillow
Bolsters provide gentle support, allowing you to sink deeper into restorative poses and breathwork. We use them in our restorative and yin yoga classes.
✨ How to Use:
• In Savasana: Place a bolster under your knees for lower back relief.
• In Heart-Opening Poses: Lie back over a bolster in Reclined Bound Angle Pose to open the chest and shoulders.
• In Child’s Pose: Rest your torso on a bolster for ultimate relaxation.
• There is no wrong way to use a bolster, so play around with it!
4. Blankets: For Comfort and Protection
A simple yoga blanket can provide extra support, warmth, and cushioning during your practice.
✨ How to Use:
• For sensitive knees: Fold a blanket under your knees in low lunges or tabletop position.
• For added lift: Sit on a folded blanket in seated postures to keep your spine long.
• For deep relaxation: Use a blanket as a cozy cover in Savasana for ultimate grounding.
Props don’t mean you’re less advanced—they mean you’re practicing smarter. By integrating props into your routine, you’ll not only refine your postures but also unlock new levels of strength, stability, and ease.
Next time you step on your mat, grab a prop (or a few) and experience the difference for yourself. Be sure to let me know how it goes!
~Angie
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