Tribe Verified

Master Your Yoga Poses Safely With Props

byAsan YogaIn-person training at 3 studios across Mumbai and PuneStarts from₹70,000 Per CourseView full gallery

Props are not crutches; they are the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. I use blocks, belts, and ropes to ensure your alignment is correct, making every pose accessible for every body.

Yoga blocks are incredibly versatile. This video demonstrates four ways to use them, from providing lift in arm balances like Bakasana to creating stability in standing poses and support in backbends like Ustrasana (Camel Pose).

A yoga block can be a bridge to new levels of strength. Here, a student uses blocks to practice L-sit (Brahmacharyasana), building the core and arm strength necessary for more advanced arm balances.

This is Tolasana (Scale Pose) with the support of blocks. Using blocks under the hands provides the necessary lift to raise the body, teaching the principles of balance and core engagement in a supported way.

A close-up showing the connection between hand and block. This firm foundation is key. You will learn how proper hand placement on a prop activates the forearm muscles and protects the wrists from injury.

A yoga belt is an extension of your arms. This video shows four different ways to use a belt, from improving shoulder mobility and lengthening hamstrings in Uttanasana to achieving deep backbends like Natarajasana safely.

Is a rounded back compromising your forward bend? I demonstrate how looping a strap around the feet in Paschimottanasana helps you maintain a straight spine, effectively targeting the hamstrings without strain.

Here is how props can work together. Using a chair and a strap, a student can safely work on their flexibility for Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), building balance and length over time.

The yoga wheel is a modern prop that offers unique benefits. This video showcases how it can be used as a roller to release back tension, a support for deeper backbends, and a tool to challenge your balance and core.

This video breaks down five ways to use a yoga wheel, including stabilizing warrior poses, deepening Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), and practicing core transitions that prepare you for headstands and arm balances.

The yoga wall ropes are a hallmark of Iyengar yoga. I show how ropes can be used for deeper, supported backbends, creating stability in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) and opening the chest in Ustrasana.

About Tools for Transformation: Mastering Poses with Props

Most people struggle with forward bends because they focus on touching their toes, which leads to a rounded spine and potential neck strain. I teach you to loop a yoga strap around your feet instead. This simple adjustment keeps your spine straight and hamstrings engaged, protecting your back while allowing you to safely deepen the stretch in your hamstrings without overcompensating.

Teaching yoga in Mumbai and Pune since 2019. — Approved by the tribe
A

Asan Yoga

In-person training at 3 studios across Mumbai and PuneStarts from ₹70,000 Per Course

I am not a typical yoga buff. I came from weightlifting and running, so I understand the need for clear guidance and steady, measurable progress. I will show you exactly how to use every prop to unlock your body's potential without the guesswork.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe

In my classes, we use tools like the rope wall to decompress the spine and build strength in a way that feels like flying. It’s about exploring what your body can do with the right support and guidance.11
Using blocks for support in Hanumanasana (the splits) helps to stabilize the pose and keep the hips and shoulders square. This allows for a gradual and safe opening.

Props & Alignment: Safe Yoga for Every Body

V
Vandana YadavOnline classes available; Studio sessions in Bandra West and travels to clients across Mumbai
22

Deepening Your Practice with Props

T
The Practice RoomOnline and at studio in Cooke Town, Bengaluru
Using a rope to achieve spinal elongation. This technique, which I often instruct as "Hagga hidibeku!" (Hold the rope!), creates space between the vertebrae and is excellent for back health.4
A supported backbend on a chair with a bolster. This setup allows for a deep, passive opening of the chest, which is highly beneficial for improving breathing capacity.
Here, a block and bolster are used in a seated twist. The block provides leverage for the hand, and the bolster elevates the hips, allowing for a deeper and more anatomically correct twist.
A clear example of how a chair and blankets are used to support the body in an inversion. This precise setup is a hallmark of the Iyengar method, ensuring safety and maximizing the pose's benefits.

Iyengar Yoga Props for Precision

M
Madhava RLive online classes via Zoom
Using a stool in Parivrtta Trikonasana helps establish a firm foundation. As Guruji taught, when the base is correct, the asana is correct. This prop allows the student to focus on the spinal twist and horizontal extension of the chest, teaching the body stability and balance.100
Here, I demonstrate Savasana on the Simhasana Box. This prop gently arches the upper back to open the chest, enhances lung capacity, and supports the natural curves of the spine. It elevates Savasana to a deeply therapeutic and restorative practice, calming the entire nervous system.
This supported forward bend on a chair with bolsters allows the practitioner to hold the pose without strain. It facilitates the surrender of the mind and body, which is the essence of Isvara pranidhana, or dedication to a higher principle. The props help in achieving physical quietude, which is a prerequisite for mental stillness.

Precision Iyengar Yoga Classes with Props

A
Amina Sarkar Bharat RamOnline classes & in-studio at Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi
9

Guided Yoga Practice with Props in Bandra

T
The Yoga HouseIn-person classes at the Bandra West studio
12
Using a chair and strap to work on Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose). This modification helps isolate the hamstring stretch while keeping the spine long and stable.
A demonstration of Utthita Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) using a block for hand support. This ensures the chest remains open and the spine stays aligned, which is the true purpose of the asana.
Seated in Padmasana (Lotus Pose) on blocks with a strap for support. This setup helps in training the hips and knees for the full pose while maintaining an upright and comfortable spine.

The Iyengar Method: Using Props for Precision

P
Prashant YogashrayaOnline & In-person classes at Jayanagar Studio

More from Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC) by Asan Yoga

FeaturedThe Art of Alignment: Hands-On AdjustmentsThe Asana Journey: From Foundation to AdvancedBeyond the Mat: Pranayama, Meditation & PhilosophyYour Path to Teaching: Pose Breakdowns & TutorialsOur Community: Student Journeys & TestimonialsMeet the Guides: Our Instructors & StudiosWorkshops, Events & The 'Why' of Yoga

More services by Asan Yoga

Yoga ClassesCorporate Wellness Programs
  1. Home
  2. Asan Yoga
  3. Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC)
  4. Tools for Transformation: Mastering Poses with Props