The Art of Alignment and Using Props
Yoga is not about forcing your body into a shape. It is about finding that steady, comfortable space within a pose using the right support.
Sthira Sukham Āsanam. This sutra reminds us that yoga is not about forcing the body, but about finding a balance between strength and ease. With patience, the posture unfolds naturally, with a smile.
Here, I demonstrate how to slowly and gradually work towards the full Chakrasana, or Wheel Pose. It is essential to prepare the body by mobilizing and strengthening the hands, legs, and core to ensure safety.
Don't hurry or worry about achieving the perfect position. If needed, use props and allow your body to flow, preparing it for flexibility. Slowly and gradually, you will get there.
Tittibhasana, or Firefly Pose, is a part of the Ashtanga intermediate series. It strengthens the arms, wrists, and core. Before practicing, it is crucial to warm up by mobilizing your wrists, arms, and pelvic area.
When practicing balancing poses, the importance of Drishti, or a focused gaze, is key. As someone with flat feet, holding these poses gives me an extra dose of motivation and builds confidence.
Practice mindfully to correct your asana. This not only helps you advance but also improves overall body alignment. Here, I show how to use wall support for Shoulder Stand to enhance blood circulation and regulate the thyroid.
Be calm and mindful, as your body is giving you signs to create your own flow. Here, I use a yoga wheel to explore backbends and find a deeper opening in my practice.
Silence is the best process to improve anything. Listen to your inner voice and flourish. Using a yoga wheel and wall support, I explore a handstand variation, finding strength in stillness.
Let's learn the tripod headstand step by step. I guide you on how to place your head and hands, engage your core, and lift your legs, ensuring you use your shoulder strength for a safe and mindful practice.
Here are five variations of Setu Bandhasana, or Bridge Pose, that I use as warm-ups for deep backbends. These preparatory practices engage the core, open the heart, and strengthen the posterior chain.
About The Art of Alignment & Using Props
I often see students struggle to find stability in a pose because they are pushing too hard, too soon. I use props like blocks, walls, and yoga wheels not to bypass the work, but to help you find your true alignment. When you stop fighting the pose and start listening to your body's geometry, the real transformation begins. It is about feeling steady, not just looking the part.
True yoga, as defined by the Sutras, is Sthira Sukham Āsanam—a balance of steadiness and comfort. When I teach, my priority is helping you find that equilibrium safely. Often, we get so caught up in the final aesthetic of an asana that we miss the benefits entirely.
This is where props become essential. Whether it is using a block to bring the floor closer in a forward fold, a strap to deepen a stretch, or a wall to build confidence in inversions, these tools are invitations to explore your body’s potential without the risk of strain. I guide my students to use walls for stability in shoulder stands and yoga wheels to safely open the chest in backbends.
My approach is deeply influenced by the Mysore and Ashtanga traditions, where alignment is non-negotiable. It is not about reaching the toes. It is about keeping the spine long and the breath flowing. If you are struggling with back pain, restricted mobility, or simply want to understand the mechanics of your practice better, these sessions will help you unlearn the habit of forcing and learn the practice of feeling. You will leave the mat understanding exactly how to engage your core and protect your joints.
Geetanjali Lukhurakhan
I believe yoga is a journey inward, and every body has its own unique terrain. I guide you with patience and tactile adjustments, ensuring you find strength in alignment rather than just copying a shape. My teaching is a reflection of my own practice—honest, steady, and always evolving.
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