The most used modern yoga props are the yoga mat, blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets. These tools are used to help with stability and alignment. They also make poses more accessible, and provide support and comfort, particularly in restorative practices.
Yoga mat
- Although many practitioners don’t consider it a prop, the mat is a fundamental accessory in modern yoga.
- It provides a grippy, non-slip surface, which is essential for safely holding poses and preventing injuries.
- It also offers cushioning for kneeling or lying poses and can establish a designated ritual space for your practice.
Yoga blocks
- One of the most common and versatile props, blocks “bring the floor closer to you” to support your balance and alignment.
- Beginners can use them to make poses more accessible, while experienced yogis can use them to explore deeper expressions of a posture.
- They are available in various materials, including foam, cork, and wood, each offering a different level of stability and density.
- Whether or not to use blocks and how many, relies on the position for which they are being used, and the individual needs of the practitioner.
Yoga straps
- Straps function as an extension of your arms, helping you to deepen stretches and improve flexibility.
- They allow you to maintain proper alignment in poses that require more range of motion than your body currently has, such as seated forward folds or binds.
- Straps are useful for yogis of all levels and are a standard piece of equipment in many studios.
Yoga bolsters
- These are firm, large cushions often used in restorative or Yin yoga to provide support and comfort.
- They can be placed under the knees in Savasana or under the back to support the spine in reclined poses, helping muscles relax more deeply.
- By supporting the body, bolsters allow you to hold poses for longer durations.
Yoga blankets
- Blankets are another versatile prop that provides support and cushioning.
- A folded blanket can elevate your hips in seated poses, provide extra padding for your knees, or be used as a soft support for your head.
- They are also used to keep the body warm and comfortable during final relaxation.
Eye Pillows
- Weighted Eye Pillows (12-16 oz) are primarily used to cover the eyes during restorative poses and Shavasana.
- They help to block out light and distractions so that the yogi/ yogini can maintain focus inward and relax.
Other notable props
- Knee pads: Small, cushioned pads used to relieve pressure on the knees during kneeling poses.
- Yoga wheels: Cylindrical props used to assist with backbends, stretch the front of the body, and massage the spine.
- Meditation cushions: Cushions, or zafus, used for seated meditation to provide comfort and support proper posture during long sessions.
- Chairs: Used in some styles, like Iyengar yoga, to help with alignment and make certain poses accessible to a wider range of students.
