Deepen Your Yoga Practice with Props
Using props isn't a shortcut, it is a way to get the most out of every pose. Whether you are struggling with balance or just want a deeper stretch, these tools help you practice safely and effectively.
A class using large stability balls for Halasana, or Plow Pose. The ball provides support while allowing for a deep stretch of the spine and shoulders. I guide students to "breathe deeply" throughout.
A glimpse into our ball yoga class. Here, students use smaller balls for partner core work and larger stability balls for inversions like supported Halasana.
More from our ball yoga class, where I am assisting a student with a supported inversion on the stability ball. This is a safe way to build confidence for inversions.
Using a yoga stick for support in Trikonasana, or Triangle Pose. This prop helps maintain alignment and allows for a deeper stretch in the side body.
This video shows two different uses of props. First, a student sits in Sukhasana for meditation, and second, another student uses a yoga wheel and blocks for support in Vrikshasana (Tree Pose).
Sanjeev sir assisting a student with a yoga strap in a standing leg stretch. Straps are excellent tools for increasing hamstring flexibility without compromising form.
I am demonstrating a variation of a standing leg stretch using a yoga block for support. Blocks help bring the floor closer to you, making poses more accessible.
Students using stability balls to support their core while practicing a variation of Shalabhasana (Locust Pose), which strengthens the back muscles.
About Yoga with Props: Go Deeper
When you use a stability ball or a yoga block, you are not just sitting or leaning on them. For example, during a supported Halasana (Plow Pose) on a stability ball, the prop takes the weight off your spine, letting you hold the stretch longer and breathe deeper into the movement. This is how we help you safely move into poses that might otherwise feel inaccessible or intimidating.
Props are the bridge between where your body is today and where you want it to be. They allow you to maintain proper alignment without compromising your form.
Blocks are essential tools; they bring the floor closer to you, allowing you to maintain a straight spine in Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) without collapsing your chest. When I see students struggle with hamstring tightness, I reach for a yoga strap. It allows them to feel the stretch in their legs without rounding the back or straining the lower body.
For students in our Paschim Vihar and Vikaspuri studios, we use the yoga wheel to open the thoracic spine and build the necessary confidence for inversions. The stability balls are a staple for core engagement, helping you find your balance in poses like Shalabhasana (Locust Pose).
My goal is not for you to perform an advanced pose perfectly on day one. It is for you to understand the anatomy of the movement. Whether it is using a strap to gently lengthen your hamstrings or a block to steady your Tree Pose, these tools make the practice sustainable. It is about working with your body, not against it.
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