Yoga with Props: Making Poses Accessible and Safe
You do not need to be flexible to start yoga. You just need to be willing to try. I use props to help you modify poses so they fit your body perfectly.
Ever wonder why yoga mats have different thicknesses? In this video, I explain the differences and help you choose the right mat for your practice, whether you need more cushioning for restorative yoga or a thinner mat for a dynamic Vinyasa flow.
Why should we use yoga blocks? This video demonstrates how blocks can reduce pressure on your joints, help you lift in challenging poses like lotus, and maintain alignment in seated stretches.
This video covers three common mistakes I see in yoga, including avoiding props. Props are not just for beginners; they can enhance the practice for yogis of all levels, helping to deepen poses and prevent injury.
If you find your back rounding in certain poses like Baddha Konasana, or butterfly pose, you are not alone. I always encourage using props to support your practice. Here is a simple way to use a chair to help lengthen your spine and find more ease in the posture.
A chair can be an amazing prop for backbends. This video shows how to use a chair for a supported and deep stretch for the back, which feels incredible if you have stiffness.
A strap is a fantastic tool for seated forward folds. Instead of rounding your back to reach your feet, you can use a strap to help lengthen your spine and get a better hamstring stretch.
You don't need fancy props to work on your posture. This video shows some easy shoulder-opening exercises you can do with just a towel to help counteract slouching.
Using a combination of props like a wheel, blocks, and a strap can create a deeply restorative backbend. This setup allows for a passive and supported heart-opening stretch.
If you are struggling to get into Halasana, or plow pose, props can help. This video demonstrates how to use blocks or a yoga wheel to support your body and make the pose more accessible.
Here I am using the wall and blocks to practice Pincha Mayurasana, or forearm stand. The wall provides stability, allowing me to work on strength and alignment without the fear of falling.
About Yoga with Props: Making Poses Accessible
Many students walk into my studio thinking they need to be flexible to start yoga, but the truth is you don't practice to get flexible, you practice to stay healthy. I use props like cork blocks, straps, and wall ropes to bridge that gap. They help you hold poses like Ustrasana (Camel pose) or Paschimottanasana (Seated forward fold) longer and safer, letting you focus on your breath rather than struggling to touch your toes.
There is a common misconception that props are only for beginners. In reality, I use them in my own daily practice to deepen stretches, refine alignment, and protect my joints. Here is how we use them in my sessions at my Santacruz West studio:
Why Props Are Essential
- Yoga Blocks: These are your best friends for bringing the floor closer to you. If you are struggling with a seated twist or need a lift in your lotus pose, blocks provide the height you need to keep your spine straight.
- Straps: If you feel your back rounding in forward folds, a strap is perfect. It gives you the extra length to hold your feet while keeping your shoulders down and your back flat, ensuring you get the hamstring stretch without the strain.
- Walls and Chairs: We use walls for stability during inversions like Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm stand), allowing you to build strength without the fear of falling. Chairs are fantastic for supported backbends, helping to open up the chest and relieve stiffness in the thoracic spine.
My Approach
Whether you are joining me for a group batch or a private session, we tailor the prop usage to your unique anatomy. If you have tight hamstrings, we use straps. If you are recovering from an injury, we use bolsters and blocks to support you. My goal is never to force your body into a shape. It is to find a shape that supports your body. This makes the practice sustainable, helps prevent injury, and builds the foundation you need to progress confidently.
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