NOT USING YOGA PROPS? HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD START

I’ve seen many people over the years struggle in a yoga class just because they refused to use a yoga prop. I am not sure how yoga props got such a bad wrap but I am hoping to help release the shame people seem to have when it comes to using them. Props are not just for beginner yoga students or people who are not flexible...yoga props are for EVERYONE! I think of yoga props as tools to use in your practice no different than a carpenter uses tools. They help get the job done and done correctly so you reduce the risk of injury and help better align your body in the pose. 

Let’s start with the different types of yoga props...

1. Block - blocks come in different shapes and sizes and help to bridge the gap between your body and your yoga mat. It can also help to build flexibility in your body. Yoga props can be used in both sitting and standing poses. I like using a foam block under my sitting bones while in meditation or doing forward folds. You can also a block under your sacrum in a supported bridge pose or use it for poses where your hands can’t reach your yoga mat.

2. Bolster - bolsters also come in different shapes and sizes and are used to help support the body in various poses. One common use of a bolster is under the knees in savasana.

3. Strap - straps are a beautiful way to help with stretches and are used with students with tight/stiff muscles and joints as well as intermediate and advanced students to find a deeper stretch and lengthening in the body. 

4. Towel - don’t have a strap or bolster you can always grab a towel and it will do the trick just as easily. 

5. Sandbags - these are typically used in both Restorative and Yin yoga. They come in different weights and are used to help relax muscles, creates a feeling of being more grounded, and most importantly helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). Once you are in your pose they can be placed on various parts of your body such as shoulders, back, belly, etc. 

But really...why should I use a yoga prop?

1. Yoga props help create a personalized practice. How you ask? Well, let’s start with each body is unique and not every yoga pose is easy for every body to get into. By using a prop such as a block or a strap you can help your body find the proper alignment for that specific pose which in turn allows you to reap the benefits. Why do yoga if you can’t get the benefits of the poses, right?

2. Props can help you relax easier into a pose. Just by having a little support from a prop, your body can relax into the pose allowing you to breathe deeper and easier. 

3. Props are also wonderful to help quiet your mind. There is nothing worse than being distracted in a yoga pose because you are uncomfortable or feeling unstable. By using a prop to properly align yourself you can focus your mind now on sinking into the pose and bringing your focus back to your breath. 

4. Props help to reduce the risk of injury. This is a big one! By not being able to get into proper alignment in the pose you run the risk of injury.

5. Don’t miss out! By using a prop you don’t have to worry about missing out on doing a pose. I’ve heard people say they can’t do a pose but with an easy adjustment of adding in a prop, they now can get into a variation of the pose and enjoy the benefits of what that pose has to offer.

I am going to challenge you to try a prop the next time you are on your yoga mat and see how it can make a difference in your practice. Drop me a DM on Instagram or email and share your experience with me.

KT