Iyengar Yoga with Props for Precision and Alignment
In my sessions, you will often find me using props like chairs, belts, and bolsters. These are not shortcuts, but intelligent tools that help you find stability, understand your alignment, and access deeper levels of strength.
This video shows highlights from my Iyengar Chair Workshop. It was an incredible afternoon of exploring creative ways to use the chair to refine alignment and discover new possibilities in the practice. Workshops like these are where the real "aha" moments happen.
Some people think props don't make a difference, but they are essential to an intelligent practice. Here you can see how a bolster supports a handstand variation, allowing for a safer and more aligned inversion. Props do matter.
A simple chair can completely transform your yoga practice. This video demonstrates how a chair can be used to deepen stretches, improve flexibility, and master backbends by providing stability and helping you achieve better alignment.
The wall is one of the best yoga props you can find. It's your ultimate tool for achieving the perfect stretch, flawless alignment, and reliable support in every pose, from seated stretches to balancing postures like Ardha Chandrasana.
This video collage shows how to use various yoga props. Blocks ground you in Trikonasana, a belt helps you stretch in Supta Padangusthasana, a chair supports leg extensions, and a bolster provides stability in balancing poses.
About this collection
Many students worry that using props is a sign of weakness, but in the Iyengar method, they are essential. Using a chair for backbends or a belt for leg extensions allows you to hold poses longer and correct skeletal alignment without strain, which is crucial if you are managing chronic back pain or recovering from an injury.
Why Props Are Essential
I believe that yoga should make you feel supported, not just stretched. When we use props, we are not avoiding the work. We are using intelligent design to adapt the pose to your anatomy. Whether it is a belt to help you reach your feet without rounding your spine, or a chair to support a backbend, these tools help you find the correct alignment that your body needs to heal.
The Iyengar Approach in My Classes
My teaching is rooted in the Iyengar tradition, which focuses on precise alignment and mindful movement. This is particularly effective for those dealing with specific concerns:
- Back and Knee Pain: We use wall ropes and bolsters to create traction and stability, allowing the spine to decompress safely.
- Posture Correction: Laptop life takes a toll. We use blocks and chairs to build strength and awareness, helping you realign your shoulders and spine.
- Hormonal Health: For those managing PCOS or reproductive health, specific supported poses help regulate the nervous system and manage energy levels.
How to Start
If you are new to the Iyengar method, you do not need to be flexible to begin. You only need to be curious. My small group sessions use live video feedback to ensure that you are using your props correctly. For those who need more focused attention, my 1-on-1 sessions allow us to design a sequence strictly for your body type and medical history. We will look at your alignment, assess any pain points, and move at a pace that is right for you.
Pragya Bhatt
I am Pragya. After my own pregnancy journey, I realized that yoga should make you feel cared for, not just pushed to your limit. I focus on mindful movement and precise alignment, helping you connect with your body through every stage of life.
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