Top Benefits of Using Yoga Props for Beginners and Advanced

The blocks, straps, and other props used in some yoga practices are not always viewed with respect. Some people look down on props and their use as a cheat or for beginners only. The truth is that yoga practitioners at any level can benefit from using them thoughtfully. 

Whether you are a yoga practitioner or a yoga teacher, don’t let jokes or shaming keep you from using what you need to get the most out of yoga.  

What is a Yoga Prop? 

There are many styles of yoga and ways of practicing. The leading style that brought the use of props into practice is Iyengar yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar developed his own method of yoga and formed a school in India in 1975. 

The Iyengar method is a type of hatha yoga, which focuses on poses, or asanas. Iyengar prioritized aligning the body in poses and holding them rather than achieving a flow from one pose to the next. He also introduced the use of props to achieve better alignment. He innovated the use of props more than any other yogi, and millions of people still use them today. 

A prop is any tool that makes a pose more accessible or improves body alignment in that pose. Some common props include blocks, bolsters, chairs, straps, and pillows.

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Top Benefits of Using Yoga Props

Props are tools and should be used as such. They do not signal weakness or diminish your practice. Here are some of the top reasons you should consider embracing props for your own practice or help students use them. 

Improve Access to Yoga with Props

One of the greatest benefits of Iyengar’s introduction of props is that they make yoga accessible to more people. Nearly anyone can benefit from yoga with the right instruction and modifications. The use of props opens the door to yoga for people with physical limitations as well as beginners who are building a practice. 

Props Individualize Yoga Practice

Even for individuals with few limitations, yoga is most effective when personalized. All bodies are different and not everyone can conform to a single idea for any pose. The use of props allows each practitioner to make a pose their own, resulting in a more effective and safe practice. 

Get More out of Each Asana

You get the most out of yoga if you can get your body to do what it’s supposed to in the asanas. What props allow is better positioning and alignment so you can get all the benefits of yoga poses. If a pose is too uncomfortable or you can’t hold it with the correct form, not only do you not reap the benefits, but you could get hurt. 

With appropriate use of props, poses are more stable and go deeper. This allows you to breathe more deeply and relax fully into the asana. If it helps you hold a pose longer, the prop gives you more time to benefit from it. 

Advance Your Practice

Props can be really useful in the transition to more difficult poses. It can be intimidating and potentially even dangerous to try some advanced asanas without assistance. A prop can be a tool that helps you advance to these more challenging poses. It’s like a stepping stone that gets you further in your practice. 

Yoga Props Benefit Your Mind Too

If you have ever struggled to find balance in a pose, you know how difficult it can be to quiet the mind during practice. Yoga is both physical and mental. If you can make your practice meditative, connecting body and mind, yoga is good for mental health. Using props to find stability in poses allows you to do this more effectively. 

Don’t Miss Out on the Benefits of Using Yoga Props

No one should feel weak or like they are cheating for using props during a yoga practice. Everyone has a different skill set and ability level. Props simply help get you into a position so you can enjoy its benefits.

They can enable you to perform an asana you might struggle with otherwise. They enhance your performance and advance your practice. Don’t let anyone make you feel less than for using props. In fact, they are probably missing out on some major benefits. 

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Essential Yoga Props for Beginners and Beyond

One reason people tend to shy away from props is that they don’t understand what they are or how to use them. Before you start using props, they might seem complicated, but they are really just simple tools. If you are new to yoga props, try these: 

• Blocks. The yoga block is one of the most basic and essential of all yoga props and was first introduced by Iyengar. You can find them in various materials, including wood, foam, and cork. Blocks are particularly useful for any pose in which it’s difficult to reach the floor, for instance in triangle pose. A block brings the level of the floor up to you until you gain greater flexibility. 

• Straps. A strap is another basic tool for yoga. They come in different lengths and materials. Straps help you create muscle tension and get a deeper stretch without sacrificing good form. For example, during cow face pose, if you cannot reach your hands together behind your back, a yoga strap acts like an extender as you become more flexible in the stretch. 

• Bolsters. A bolster is like a cylindrical pillow. In a pinch you can substitute an actual pillow. A yoga bolster or pillow provides cushioning to make certain poses more comfortable. This is particularly helpful for anyone with back pain that prevents them from lying directly on a mat on the floor. 

• Knee pads. If you have any knee pain at all, extra padding can make more poses accessible. For any yoga pose that requires you put your knees down on the yoga mat, try a pad to make it more comfortable. 

If you are new to yoga and don’t want to invest too much in props just yet, it’s easy to find substitutes around the house. Books or sturdy boxes can stand in for blocks. Use a folded blanket or pillow as you would a bolster or knee pad. Instead of a strap, use resistance bands or a belt. 

As you advance in your practice, you can continue to use props as needed. You might also consider trying more advanced props. These included curved blocks, yoga wheels, and rollers. It’s best to work with a more advanced yoga practitioner when using some of these while trying challenging poses. 

Yoga props are invaluable tools for an effective yoga practice. Learn how to use them correctly and to personalize your practice or that of your students for the best results. 

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