B.K.S. Iyengar, founder of Iyengar yoga, observed that many of his students weren’t able to achieve proper body alignment in their poses due to physical limitations.  (Iyengar yoga is characterized by precise focus on body alignment.)  He developed props as a means of support so that his students could gently move into and properly hold their postures without strain and injury.

There are a lot of reasons why using yoga equipment may be to your benefit, even when practicing styles other than Iyengar.  If you are new to yoga or recovering from an injury, you’re probably discovering the limits of your flexibility.  If you are an experienced yogi, you know that there are days when poses come more easily to you than others.  Or, as your practice advances, you find that you want to deepen your pose or move into more challenging poses but need a little help.  This is when yoga props become useful.

When choosing your props, think about your personal needs.  Do you have problems with your knees?  Lower back?  Wrists?  Are you unable to touch your toes in a forward bend?  When you sit on the floor, is your back and pelvis straight or rounded?  Do your heels touch the floor during Downward Facing Dog?  Are you able to hold your hips level in Pidgeon Pose? These are some clues as to which props can help you most.

Yoga Mats.  A good yoga mat is an important part of your practice. Its non-slip surface helps to keep you stable while holding your poses and its cushioning provides protection from cold, hard floors.  Mats come in a variety of sizes, weights and thicknesses and are made with a variety of materials, like latex,  rubber or cotton.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages and it comes down to your own personal preferences when selecting your mat.  Many choices are eco-friendly from companies that give back to the earth, like Manduka, Jade and Natural Fitness.

Yoga Blocks or Bricks.  Yoga blocks bring the floor within reach when your flexibility doesn’t allow you to touch it without bending your knees or straining your back.  Blocks aid in helping you maintain proper alignment while performing poses like Triangle or Downward Facing Dog.  They can be made of various materials, like foam or a more eco-friendly cork or bamboo, and are lightweight with beveled edges for comfort.

Yoga Wedges.  A foam wedge is similar to a block, but is longer and is shaped like a triangle.  It’s designed to offer support and prevent over-stretching in poses where you sit — to help keep your back straight, squat or stand — when your heels can’t touch the floor, and core poses – to help keep pressure off your wrists.

Yoga Straps.  Yoga straps come in various lengths and with a variety of clasps to allow for adjustment and quick release.  They are extremely useful for those with limited flexibility or recovering from injury.  They help to increase your reach without strain and hold a pose for longer periods of time without compromising alignment.

Yoga Bolsters & Blankets. Yoga bolsters are large, firm round or rectangular cushions that are used for support for proper alignment while allowing you to relax into stretches and meditation.  Yoga blankets, also known as Mexican blankets, are used in the same manner, but can also be used to keep you warm during restorative poses.

Sandbags.  Yoga sandbags hold up to 10 lbs of sand or rice.  Sandbags allow you to gently fall deeper into your stretch and increase your flexibility over time.

Yoga Towels.  I’d like to mention one more item that isn’t really a part of traditional yoga props.  However, during some yoga practices, such as Bikram or hot yoga and Ashtanga yoga, your body heats up and creates a lot of sweat.  Even on the stickiest of mats, you may find that your hands and feet slip.  Placing an absorbent towel on top of your mat can solve this problem and allow you to enjoy your practice to its fullest.

Yoga props can help all yogis at every level.  When you pay attention to your body and respond to its needs, you’ll avoid injuries and get the most out of your practice.

Namaste!

This entry was posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 10:22 am and is filed under Yoga Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.