Props in yoga are tools that support and enhance your practice by helping you achieve proper alignment, deepen your stretches, and make poses more accessible. Here are some of the commonly used props in yoga class and how to use them:
- Yoga blocks: Blocks are typically made of foam or cork and come in different sizes. They are used to bring the ground up to you or to provide additional support in certain poses. For example, you can use blocks under your hands in a standing forward fold if you can’t reach the ground or to help you sit more upright in seated forward folds.
- Yoga straps: Straps are used to help you reach further in a pose or to provide additional support. For example, you can use a strap to help you reach your foot in a seated forward fold or to hold your leg in a supine hamstring stretch.
- Yoga blankets: Blankets are used to provide additional cushioning or support in poses. They can be used to sit on in seated poses or to support your knees in a kneeling pose.
- Bolsters: Bolsters are long, narrow pillows that provide support in restorative poses or in poses where you need additional support. For example, you can use a bolster under your knees in savasana or under your hips in a supported bridge pose.
- Yoga wheels: Yoga wheels are circular props that can be used to deepen stretches, improve balance, and open up the chest and shoulders. They can be used in a variety of poses, such as backbends or hip openers.
When using props, it’s important to listen to your body and use them in a way that feels safe and supportive. Props should not be used to force your body into a pose or to compensate for poor alignment. Instead, they should be used to help you find proper alignment and to deepen your practice.