Yoga Props 101: The Must-Have Tools to Support & Deepen Your Practice
Support, colour, presence - props that hold us through the practice.
Hi beautiful friend,
Let’s talk yoga props!
There can sometimes be hesitation around using yoga props, especially in classes with more seasoned yogis. It’s easy to feel like you “shouldn’t need” support or that props are only for beginners. But the truth is: props can deepen your practice, support your alignment, and make your flow more comfortable and sustainable - no matter how long you’ve been practising.
In fact, using props isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of listening to your body. It’s about honouring where you are today, and giving yourself the support you need.
Why Are Yoga Props Important?
Yoga props are like a trusted friend you can call on in a yoga class, bringing extra support, helping your alignment and adding depth into your practice.
Here’s how they can help:
Support and Alignment: Props like blocks and straps provide physical support, helping you maintain good form. A block under your hand in triangle pose, for example, brings the ground closer and allows you to stay aligned, grounded, and present with your breath - without straining.
Injury and Prevention: Pushing too hard or too fast into poses can lead to injury. Props act as a bridge, guiding you safely from where you are, to where you want to be. They’re also brilliant for enhancing flexibility in a safe and gentle way. For example: adding blocks under your knees in reclined butterfly pose allows the muscles to release with ease, not force.
Making Yoga Accessible: Yoga props open the door to everyone, no matter your experience, body type, or flexibility. Since every body is unique, props allow us to approach yoga poses in ways that work best for us individually.
Essential Yoga Props
Let’s break down the go-to props that can really transform your practice:
Yoga Mat
Your yoga mat is the foundation for your practice and provides grip and cushioning. A good mat helps you feel secure and grounded. When choosing a mat, look for one that has a non-slip surface and enough thickness to protect your joints.
Yoga Blocks
Blocks are incredibly versatile. They can support your hands, feet, or seat in various poses. For example, in a standing forward fold, placing a block under your hands brings the ground closer, allowing you to lengthen your spine without straining. Blocks come in different materials, like foam or cork - choose what feels right for you.
Yoga Strap
Straps are your best friend when it comes to stretching and achieving more flexibility. They’re great for poses where you can’t quite reach, like a seated forward fold or when holding your foot in a standing balance. By looping a strap around your foot or hand, you can extend your reach while maintaining proper alignment and stability.
Bolster
Bolsters provide a soft, supportive surface for restorative and relaxing poses. They’re especially useful in poses like supported bridge or heart openers, where you can allow your body to relax into the bolster’s gentle lift. Using a bolster can turn a passive pose into a deeply restful experience.
Blanket
A true multi-tasker! They can add extra warmth and cushioning during seated poses and meditation, provide support under your hips or knees, or act as a gentle cushion for your head. Fold a blanket to give just the right height or softness for poses that require a little extra padding.
Wall
Often overlooked! Use the wall for support in balance postures, inversions (like legs-up-the-wall), or even to align your standing poses.
Essential Yoga Props Quick Summary
Yoga Mat - Grip & cushioning
Yoga Blocks - Balance, alignment & reach
Yoga Strap - Stretching & flexibility
Bolster - Restorative, comfort & support
Blanket - Cushioning, warmth & versatility
Wall - Balance & inversions aid
Optional Props
While all of the above props are optional (besides a yoga mat, of course), they each bring their own benefits to enhance your practice. There are also a few additional props you might consider exploring, though they aren’t essential - they are more like ‘nice-to-have’ tools that can add a little extra comfort and relaxation.
Meditation cushion - for comfort during seated meditation
Eye pillow - to encourage deeper relaxation in Savasana
Yoga wheel - great support for backbends and opening the chest and shoulders
Yoga Journal - while not a physical prop for the mat, journaling can be a powerful tool to support your yoga journey off the mat. A dedicated yoga journal gives you space to reflect on your practice, track how you feel, and notice patterns over time. Writing even a few lines after practice can deepen your self-awareness and bring the benefits of yoga into daily life.
If you’d like to explore this further, I’ve created a 30-Day Yoga Journal, filled with the very prompts I’ve used in my own practice. It’s printable, so you can start right away!
Tips for Using Props Effectively
Always listen to your body - props are there to support, not push.
Adjust your props to suit your unique body and needs.
Props can help you relax into a pose, rather than strain.
You might rely on props more in the beginning, but with regular use, they can help build the strength and flexibility needed to eventually ease away from them.
And remember - there’s no rush! Yoga isn’t about performance; it’s about connection.
Using props doesn’t mean you're “less advanced”, it means you’re practising with awareness and self-respect. Whether you're brand new or have been flowing for years, props can elevate your experience, help prevent injury, and offer support when you need it most.
All my love,
Join the Conversation
Do you use yoga props in your practice? Which ones have helped you the most? Let me know in the comments - I’d love to hear your experience and continue this beautiful conversation.
If you're just starting your yoga journey and need some poses to get started, you might also enjoy: 5 Essential Yoga Poses for Beginners
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