Why should you use props in your yoga practice?
At the beginning of every yoga class, there’s always a moment of doubt — should you grab two blocks and a strap? Will you need it in class? What does grabbing a prop imply about your flexibility or strength for class? The answer to that last question is nothing. Props get a bit of a bad reputation, because for many yogis, they seem like they are only there for yogis who can’t get into the pose themselves. What nonsense! Without props, you might not get to experience some of the amazing benefits that yoga has to offer.
Props are actually there to support you.
The reason props like a strap, pillow or block are in the room are because they offer support. Just like yoga teachers walk around the room and have the option to correct their students, props help you face obstacles on the mat that you might need some help with. Even if you could get into a deeper expression of a pose without one, using one might help your form and confidence about the pose itself.
Even the most advanced of yogis, in real life and on Youtube, benefit from using props. They might help you regain your breath, find some much-needed stability or simply act as a protective guard against your own balance. When I first started practicing, I didn’t want to use any kind of prop because I thought that I didn’t need it or that it made me look like a weaker student. Actually, using blocks in the right way can make you a stronger yogi, because you’re being mindful about your own body and its limitations at any present moment.
What kinds of props are there?
Depending on what kind of pose you’re getting into, you might need a different kind of prop. There are blocks, the classic help available if you’re bending forward in some way and can’t touch the ground yet. By using a block, you’re bringing the ground back up to you. Belts act as an arm or leg extension. If you are on the way to reaching your foot and need some extra help, a belt can bring that closer to you without bending or compromising the pose.
Blankets are perfect for those who have some kind of knee problem, myself included. Without blankets to fold underneath my knee, I wouldn’t be able to get into a low lunge without a lot of serious knee pain. They can also work as back support. And lastly, bolsters are those long pillows that can be placed anywhere that they are needed. They open up the body and allow you to relax without stressing about the hardness of the floor.
So, why should I use them?
Props are there to make sure you don’t miss out on the stretches that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach. They allow you to see what alignment might mean in a pose that you normally express in a different way. With props, you can work on cultivating a stronger sense of comfort in your yoga class, breathe deeper and relax more. And once you have that foundation, you can try new poses and be more experimental in all of your yoga practice!
