I remember a class where a Yoga teacher explained that one studio that they taught at actually wrote “help” on their Yoga blocks in order to remind students that they are there too help.
Using props is not cheating or making it 'easier".
In fact it's quite the opposite, using props are really beneficial to your Yoga practice to help you find more space, correct alignment and really feel into a posture more.
And I suppose, sometimes it does make it easier but why struggle? Life is hard enough so just use a damn block! Ha
Yoga props are often a thing we invest in but don’t really know how to use or we grab them before class because the person next to you has.
So, here are my top three ways to use a yoga block, yoga strap and a bolster to help you get clued up & propped out!
Bring the ground to you by using a Yoga block!
You can use a Yoga block in many postures to help bring the ground to you, instead of reaching desperately to find the floor whilst distorting your body, grab hold of your yoga block & make a kind choice to help benefit your body.
Using your block in the following postures will help you to find a longer spine, more stability & better alignment:
Triangle pose (Trikonasana)
Wide leg forward fold (Prasarita padottanasana)
Extended side angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
Half moon (Ardha Chandrasana)
Cross legged seated (Sukhasana)
Half split (Ardha Hanumanasana)
Create more space & stability with your Yoga Strap!
If you've ever been to one of my "Beginners Flow" or "Gentle Yoga" Yoga classes, you'll know by now that I love to utilise a Yoga strap to help work into the legs and hips at the very start of class.
But there are so many other ways you can use a Yoga strap. They are commonly used in Restorative Yoga to help you relax into shapes whilst being supported & are a main part of Iyengar Yoga where they are used throughout class to help you find correct alignment.
Here is how I like to use a Yoga strap:
To lengthen the hamstrings, work into the IT band & open into the inner thighs
Using it as an extension of your arm, handy when you cant find your foot in Extended hand to big toe (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana) or Dancers pose (Natarajasana)
Posture! Help guide the shoulders back & open the chest using your strap around your torso & shoulders
Find comfort with your bolster...
If your a "Yin Yoga" fan you'll be familiar with a bolster.
A heavy, supportive cushion full of buckwheat. Bolsters help you feel held when holding shapes, allowing you to soften into postures & not strain in anyway to stay there.
When lying down in savasana you can soften into your lower back, making it more comfortable for anyone who struggles to lie flat because of back sensitivity.
When Childs Pose (Balasana) is a resting pose for you, its great to use your bolster on your lower back in to lengthen your lower back & guide your bottom towards your heels. It's like a hands on adjustment but using the weight of the bolster!
Put it all together...
Prop heaven & restorative bliss!
We have Props for sale at the studio & a number of props for you to borrow and use when you attend class or join a private session.
Yin Yoga has been very popular this year so far so we have upped the class capacity, this means there is a shortage of bolsters & you will therefore need to bring your own or a substitute e.g blankets & cushions.
If you'd like to invest in your own bolster, the ones we stock at the studio are £35 each.
Thanks for reading & hopefully I'll see you in class all propped up soon or possibly at our February Valentines Event (you'll 100% need a bolster for that)