Yoga Alignment and Support: The Art of Using Props
Props like bricks, chairs, and belts don't make yoga easier; they make it safer and more precise. Whether you are stiff or recovering from an injury, we use these tools to help you find your perfect alignment.
Here we use a chair to support the body in Purna Shalabhasana (Full Locust Pose). This prop allows the student to experience the full extension of the pose while I provide guidance for correct alignment.
A chair can be a powerful tool for a deep forward bend. Our students are using chairs to support their upper bodies, allowing them to relax their spines and release tension in their backs.
This is an advanced backbend using a chair for support. I am guiding the student to hold my hands, which helps him to open his chest and shoulders even more deeply.
Yoga blocks are essential for poses like Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose). They bring the floor closer to you, helping you maintain a long spine and a deep twist.
This video demonstrates how to use a chair and a wall to work towards Poorna Salabhasana. I break it down step-by-step, showing how props can help you build the strength and flexibility needed for advanced poses.
In this class, students are using chairs and the wall to practice variations of Poorna Salabhasana. This method allows everyone to work at their own level and progress safely.
Preparing for advanced backbends with chairs. I am showing the students how to use the chair to support their back, allowing them to open their chest and shoulders without fear of falling.
Uttana Kurmasana is a very deep forward bend. Here, we are using a chair and a strap to help the student bind his legs and fold forward, making the pose more accessible.
Using blocks and the wall, our students are working on a variation of Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana. This setup helps to build core strength and hamstring flexibility.
This side-bending stretch is enhanced by using a chair. The students can hold onto the chair for stability, allowing them to focus on lengthening the side of their body.
About The Art of Using Props
Think of a brick or a chair as an extension of your own arm. If your hand cannot reach the floor in a pose like Trikonasana, we do not force it. We bring the floor to you using a block. This prevents straining your back and keeps your spine aligned, allowing you to actually feel the stretch instead of just fighting to reach the ground.
In the Iyengar tradition, props are not crutches for beginners. They are precision tools for everyone, from absolute novices to advanced practitioners. When you use a chair for a deep forward bend, you are giving your spine the support it needs to release tension without the fear of falling or overstretching.
Why We Use Props:
- Safety First: For students dealing with office-related shoulder stiffness or chronic back pain, props ensure you can practice without aggravating your condition.
- Accessibility: If you have limited flexibility, a bolster or strap allows you to hold a pose for longer, which is where the real physiological changes happen. You don't need to touch your toes to gain the benefits of a forward fold.
- Alignment: Using wall ropes or chairs provides tactile feedback. You will immediately feel the difference between a collapsed chest and an open, extended one.
At Vyas Yoga School, our philosophy is simple: Karma karte raho (Keep doing your work). We do not believe in forcing the body into shapes it is not ready for. Whether we are using a chair for a backbend or a block for a side stretch, the goal is always to create a practice that is sustainable, healing, and aligned with your current body. If you have been struggling to hold poses or feel restricted by your body, join our sessions to learn how these simple tools can transform your daily practice.
Vyas Yoga Center
I am Yogacharya Diwakar Vyas. At my school in Rishikesh, we believe yoga is for every body, not just the flexible. We use props because they bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to be, safely and step-by-step.
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