The Power of Props: Why Using Yoga Props Can Deepen Your Practice

As a keen yogi, I have on many occasions witnessed people in yoga classes being incredibly hesitant to use props in their yoga practice. Many see props as a sign of weakness or something that beginners rely on. So, as a yoga teacher, I made a decision to always tell my students that props are our friends and we always experiment with props vs. no props so we can notice how we feel. Props can actually enhance your practice, no matter your level of experience. They offer support, allow for deeper engagement in poses, and help prevent injury. In this post, we'll explore why using props can be so beneficial, address some common misconceptions, and highlight poses that can be enhanced or adapted with props to suit different needs.

Why Props Are Beneficial

Props like blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets can be a game-changer in your yoga practice. They provide stability, support, and alignment, helping you access poses that might otherwise feel out of reach or uncomfortable. More than just for beginners, props can assist experienced practitioners in refining alignment, deepening poses, and staying in postures for longer durations.

1. Support for Alignment and Balance

Props are particularly useful for helping students maintain proper alignment. Often in more challenging poses, we compromise alignment to achieve the shape of the pose. A prop can provide the necessary support to help maintain alignment without strain. For example, placing blocks under your hands in a pose like Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) can prevent over-stretching and keep the spine aligned.

2. Enhancing Flexibility Gradually

For those with tight muscles or a restricted range of motion, props offer a gentle way to work toward greater flexibility. In poses like Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), a strap around the feet can help bridge the gap if you can’t quite reach your toes, allowing you to experience the stretch without overextending.

3. Deeper Relaxation

Props aren’t just for active poses; they are essential in restorative yoga. A bolster under the knees in Savasana (Corpse Pose) or beneath the back in Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose) can create more comfort, encouraging deeper relaxation and release.

4. Preventing Injury

Yoga props can also prevent injury, particularly for those with physical limitations or during recovery from an injury. For example, placing a block under the hand in Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) offers stability, reducing the risk of falling or straining the lower back.

Common Misconceptions About Props

Despite the clear benefits, many people are reluctant to use props. There’s often a misconception that props are only for beginners or that using them is a sign of weakness. In reality, props are a tool to make yoga accessible for everyone, regardless of their experience or flexibility. Here are a few common reasons people avoid using props and why they should reconsider:

1. "Props Are for Beginners"

One of the biggest myths about props is that they are only for those new to yoga. However, props are beneficial for practitioners of all levels. Even advanced yogis use props to deepen their practice. Props help maintain alignment, encourage longer holds, and enhance mindfulness in each pose.

2. "Using Props Means I’m Not Good Enough"

Some students feel that relying on a prop makes them “less capable” or “not good enough” at yoga. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Using props actually demonstrates self-awareness and respect for your body’s limits, which is one of the key principles of yoga.

3. "Props Interrupt the Flow"

Some worry that using props will disrupt the flow of their practice, especially in a Vinyasa class. While it's true that grabbing a block or strap might take a moment, the benefits far outweigh this brief pause. Props can help you move more mindfully, ensuring you perform each pose with precision and care.

Poses That Benefit from Props

Let’s look at some common yoga poses and how they can be enhanced or supported with props.

1. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

• With a Block: Place a block on the outside of the front foot to bring the floor closer to you, helping maintain length in the spine and avoiding strain in the hamstrings and lower back. This also prevents collapsing into the pose, allowing you to open the chest more fully.

2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

• With a Block: Placing a block under the sacrum in Bridge Pose turns it into a restorative version, allowing you to release tension in the lower back while gently opening the chest. This is especially helpful for those who find it difficult to lift the hips or maintain the pose without strain.

3. Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

• With a Blanket or Bolster: Placing a blanket or bolster under the hip of the bent leg in Pigeon Pose can help balance the hips and reduce pressure on the knee, allowing for a deeper, safer stretch in the hips.

4. Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

• With Bolsters and Blankets: Using a bolster or blanket under the spine while placing blocks under the knees offers deep relaxation and a gentle heart-opening stretch. This is a wonderful pose for quieting the mind and relieving stress.

5. Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

• With a Block: If you can’t comfortably reach the floor in Forward Fold, place blocks under your hands to allow for a supported stretch, maintaining length in the spine without forcing the pose.

Embracing Props as Part of Your Practice

Ultimately, props are there to support and deepen your yoga practice. Whether you're looking to enhance flexibility, improve alignment, or make a pose more restorative, props are a valuable tool. By integrating props into your practice, you're showing awareness, self-compassion, and a willingness to adapt—qualities that are at the heart of yoga.

As a yoga teacher, my role is to help guide you through a practice that works for your body. Props offer a way to modify and enhance poses to fit your unique needs. So next time you step onto the mat, don't hesitate to reach for a block, strap, or bolster. Embrace the support they offer and feel how they can take your practice to a new level. After all, yoga is about listening to your body, and props are just one way to deepen that connection.

Namaste, Angie at Sussex Yoga