Paving the Path to Wellness: Unveiling the Magic of Yoga Props

August 5, 2024

It’s true that you need nothing more than a mat and a quiet space to practice yoga. In fact, you can even practice some asanas on a chair. While that minimalism appeals to many practitioners, it’s holding others back. Especially if you’re new to yoga, props like bolsters, blankets, straps, and yoga blocks can support your body and shape your experience on the mat.

In this blog post, we take a closer look at the magic of yoga props and show you how they can shape your practice. 

The Benefits of Yoga Props

For many practitioners, the simplicity of being able to practice with nothing more than a mat a little bit of space, and comfortable clothes is one of the main attractions. However, adding just a few simple items can transform your practice, allowing you to enjoy it even more. 

Here are some of the main benefits of using yoga props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks: 

• More comfort: whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or considering signing up for your first yoga class, props allow you to hold a pose more comfortably. As your comfort level increases, your ability to stay in a pose and experience it more deeply also grows.
• More poses: not only are our bodies different, but we all hold tension in different places. Using props can make poses available to you that you simply can’t yet achieve without a little extra support. This is a great way of expanding your practice without risking injury. As an experienced practitioner, yoga accessories can help you deepen your poses gradually while staying aligned.
• More opening: many yoga poses encourage you to open areas of your body and relax them. For many practitioners, that’s easier said than done. Yoga props allow you to support surrounding areas, encouraging your body to let go of tension.
• More stability: do you know that feeling when you can just achieve a pose but can’t quite trust yourself to hold it? Props like bolsters and blocks give you the support you need until your body is ready to support itself.
• More relaxation: picture yourself reclining in savasana only to feel a twitch in your lower back. Most of us have been there. Sometimes, just hugging your knees to your chest and gently massaging your back may be enough to relax, but at other times, a bolster under your knees would work better, allowing you to relax more deeply and take advantage of your pose. 

When Were Yoga Props Invented?

We believe that yoga props are as old as the practice itself. We can find evidence of straps dating back more than 2,000 years in reliefs carved into the Great Stupa of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, India. There is also evidence of yoga props in writing dating back several centuries. 

In modern yoga, BKS Iyengar is often credited with making props more popular. Iyengar noticed that students sometimes struggled to hold a pose’s correct alignment. He proposed using blankets or bolsters to provide support rather than allowing them to remain in a less-than-ideal position. 

Which Yoga Props Could I Use?

Ancient yogis may have only had access to yoga straps. Today, practitioners have far more choices available to them. Our favorite props include yoga blankets, blocks, bolsters, and straps. 

1. Yoga Blankets and Bolsters

Yoga blankets and bolsters are an excellent choice for a heart-opening variation of savasana. Placed under your spine, these props encourage your shoulders to drop and your ribcage to open. 

If you’re working on deeper forward folds, bolsters, cushions, and folded blankets allow you to support your torso, relax your hamstrings, and stretch your lower back. You’ll be able to relax more deeply, and within a few sessions, you may be able to sink more deeply into your fold.

Yoga blankets are also excellent tools for relaxing poses like savasana on a chilly day. As your body settles down at the end of the practice, you may start feeling chilly. Cover yourself with a blanket to remain comfortable and enjoy the last pose of your practice. 

2. Yoga Blocks

Yoga blocks provide a more solid kind of support than bolsters and blankets. Their uses are (almost endless. 

Try putting a yoga block under your sit bones when you practice sitting cross-legged. You’ll find your hips opening and knees dropping as your body relaxes. At the same time, it’ll be much easier to keep your spine straight for longer. 

Many new practitioners find side angle and triangle poses challenging, as it can feel like your arms aren’t long enough. Placing a block on your mat helps you extend further and increases your stability. 

3. Yoga Straps

Think of yoga straps or belts as an extension of your arm. They’re an excellent tool to deepen stretches and improve your overall flexibility without rounding your back or losing your alignment. Don’t have a yoga strap to hand? Try a belt or a scarf. Either works well, you just need to make sure that your strap won’t stretch. 

How to Start Using Yoga Props

Yoga props and bolsters can transform your practice. They’re simple and easy additions to your yoga mat, and as soon as you start using them, you’ll find new ways to incorporate them into your practice. 

If you’d like professional guidance to get started or need a little more inspiration, book a Uptown Yoga class today. Many of our instructors love using blankets and other props during their classes, and they’re always happy to show you ways to expand your own practice. Give it a try!