Yoga Props- Key to Comfortable Asanas!!
Yoga also has its own small set of apparatus. Called yoga props, they help make the yoga poses more comfortable, create resistance or give the body something to lean on or bend over.
These props help you achieve the proper alignment, balance and make the pose a bit easier. The use of props also minimizes the strain and supports your muscles, thus allowing you to save your energy by exerting less effort on a pose.
Choosing quality props is the first step in deciding which props to use, as incorporating cheaply designed props into your yoga practice can do more harm than good. Remember, just like people, all props are not made the same.
Where Did All of These Props Come From?
In the 1960's a Yoga Guru named B.K.S. Iyengar noticed that many yoga students weren't achieving proper body alignment in each posture. This was not only due to poor training, but also to the physical limitations of each person's unique body. For instance, a person who has tight hamstrings may compensate for this by keeping the knees bent in many standing forward-bending postures. Or, a person who has bow legs may not be standing correctly in Corpse Pose, or may have trouble balancing due to the misalignment of their legs.
Iyengar believed that by adding certain props to postures, everyone can achieve the same benefits and goals of their yoga practice, regardless of any physical limitations he or she may have. After continuous use of props, Iyengar noticed that a person can even retrain his or her muscles to stay where they are supposed to be, thus curing any misalignments a student may have.
So How Do I Choose the Right Props?
Choosing quality props is the first step in deciding which props to use, as incorporating cheaply designed props into your yoga practice can do more harm than good. Remember, just like people, all props are not made the same. Below, you will find a helpful list of things you should look for when you are purchasing props for your yoga practice.
YOGA BLOCKS- Yoga Blocks come in a variety of different sizes and shapes, and are widely used to modify poses so that anyone with any flexibility level can correctly perform each posture to the best of his or her ability.
YOGA BOLSTERS- Yoga Bolsters are large, firm, pillow-like props that are most helpful to postures relating to meditation, rest, and also prenatal yoga postures. Think of it as a giant pillow.
YOGA STRAPS- Yoga Straps can be used in a variety of different ways in many different poses. The can act as a connection from one hand to another, or a foot to a hand when you are not flexible enough to reach without any help. Yoga straps can also be used to bind areas of the body together. For instance, if you have bow legs, certain postures may require you to stand with your legs together. This can be achieved by placing a Yoga Block in between the calves, and then binding the legs together with a yoga strap.
YOGA BLANKETS- Yoga Blankets, also known as Mexican Blankets, can be used in a number of ways in Yoga Practice. One of the most obvious is that it can be used as a blanket to keep you warm as you lie on the floor in Savasana, or Corpse Pose. Yoga Blankets can also be used in the same manner as Bolsters are used, as added support in postures.
YOGA WEDGES- Yoga Wedges, just like Yoga Blocks, are used to provide support to modify poses for every flexibility level. Unlike Blocks, Yoga Wedges are longer and have an angled top. Since they are longer than Blocks, they provide more of a sturdy base. However, the Wedge is not as tall as the Block, and requires a bit more flexibility than using a Block.
YOGA BALL- Also known as Swiss Balls, Physio Balls, Exercise Balls or PE Balls, the Yoga Ball is becoming very popular in Yoga Practice. Because they are large and strong enough to support your entire body weight, they can be used in many different standing forward and backward bending poses. The Yoga ball can also be used in various Pilate’s exercises as well.
YOGA SANDBAGS- Yoga Sandbags are very useful tools in any Yoga posture. While it is not a good idea to force yourself into a stretch, Yoga Sandbags allow you to gently fall deeper into any stretch, slowly improving your flexibility over time. Yoga Sandbags can also be used for extra support in postures, the same way Yoga Bolsters are used.
FOAM YOGA PAD - Foam Yoga Pads are versatile props that can be used in a variety of different Meditative poses as well as Yoga Postures. Foam Yoga Pads add extra cushioning between your body and the floor when sitting in Meditative poses, or you can even stand on them in balancing poses for an extra challenge. You can even stack Yoga Pads on top of each other to shorten the distance between your hands and the floor in poses that require flexibility.
Summary:
Using props in Yoga practice is one of the best things you can do for your body, both as a beginner student or advanced. As you probably already know, every day of your Yoga practice can bring new surprises, and some days you may feel more limber than others. On those "hard to stretch" days, it's a better idea to use a Yoga prop in your practice rather than to sacrifice your form and technique.
