Props Are Your Friends: Creative Ways to Support Your Practice

In yoga, props are often misunderstood. Many see them as tools only for beginners or those needing extra support—but in truth, blocks, bolsters, and straps are some of the most powerful allies for deepening your practice at any level. Far from being a sign of limitation, they’re an invitation to explore your body with more awareness, alignment, and ease.

Blocks can bring the ground closer to you, offering stability and length in poses like Triangle or Half Moon. But they’re not just for support—try placing a block between your thighs in Bridge Pose to activate your inner legs, or under your hands in Downward Dog to shift the angle and open the shoulders more deeply.

Bolsters create space for softness and release. They can transform your restorative practice, helping you settle into deep rest in poses like Supported Fish or Reclined Bound Angle. But they’re also valuable in active practices—use one under your hips in seated forward folds or between your knees in twists to align the spine and make each posture more sustainable.

Straps extend your reach, allowing you to maintain integrity in your alignment even when flexibility is a work in progress. In Seated Forward Fold, for instance, a strap helps you hinge from the hips rather than rounding the spine. They also open new pathways—loop a strap around your foot in Dancer Pose or King Pigeon to safely build toward backbends with more control and comfort.

Props remind us that yoga isn’t about how a pose looks—it’s about how it feels. They create space, enhance alignment, and invite curiosity into movement. Whether you’re new to the mat or have years of experience, using props isn’t a shortcut—it’s a sign of wisdom in your practice.

So next time you roll out your mat, don’t hesitate to reach for those blocks, bolsters, and straps. Let them support you, challenge you, and help you discover something new about your body, your breath, and your practice.