Yoga Props: Bend, Twist, and Stretch with Perfect Ease!

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It is every yogi’s dream to be able to effortlessly twist and bend their body however the yoga posture demands. But when you actually get to it, you realize that your body is no longer as flexible as you believed it to be. The rigidity of your muscles and joints might act as an impediment to your yoga process, limiting your practice to just a few simple poses. However, the use of yoga props and accessories helps in making yoga easier, helping you to perform nearly any asana that you wish to!

Here is a look at which accessory can be used in which pose. This list is not comprehensive, and is just meant to give you a fair idea of how accessories can be used while practicing yoga. Remember that there are many more poses which are not listed here, which can be made easier or further deepened with the use of yoga accessories.

Downward dog pose and warrior pose- Yoga mat:

Even though a yoga mat is one such accessory that is more of a requisite than an add-on, its benefits in certain poses are more than one can imagine. Two such poses are the downward dog pose and the warrior pose. Both these poses are best performed on a sticky yoga mat which reduces friction, making it easy to hold the poses for longer periods.

Half moon pose, standing forward pose and bridge pose- Yoga blocks and sand bags:

Yoga blocks are amongst the most popular yoga accessories. They are best used in poses that require bending. They make up for a lack of flexibility by allowing the practitioner to hold the pose long enough, despite not being able to touch the ground. The bridge pose can be easily performed using a yoga block. The block can be slid below the sacrum to offer support to the pelvis. Sand bags are beneficial in the standing forward pose. By propping a sand bag below your feet, you can increase the stretch on the back of your legs while performing this pose.

Seated forward bend and head-to-knee forward bend- Yoga strap:

The use of a yoga strap can be useful for beginners while practicing the seated forward bend. The strap is tied around the feet, helping to keep them together, which helps to hold the pose for longer. Yoga straps can also be used in the head-to-knee forward bend. If you are unable to reach the extended foot in this pose with you hand, you can put one loop of the strap around the foot, and the other around your hand to make this pose easier. However, it is important to ensure that your arm is fully extended while doing so, and that you do not pull your entire body forward using the strap. A simple belt will work as a strap.

Bound angle pose and pigeon pose- Yoga blanket:

As you begin to know yoga better, you might want to further intensify certain poses. The Bound Angle pose can be deepened with the use of two yoga blankets, propped under the outer thighs. This can be used along with a sand bag placed at the groins. This shall offer maximum release to the thigh heads, increasing the impact of the posture. A thick, folded blanket can also be used in the pigeon pose. The blanket is propped beneath the hip, which helps in extending the front leg hip all the way to the floor.

Legs up the wall pose and reclining Bound angle pose- Yoga bolster:

A yoga bolster offers immense support in the Legs up the Wall pose. The bolster is propped below the lower back, offering support to the entire body, and helping in holding the pose for longer. A yoga strap can also be used in this pose. The strap is used to tie together both the legs, making it easier to relax the body during the pose. A bolster can also be used in the Reclining Bound Angle pose, in which it is propped below the thighs to further elevate them.