Let me begin by saying that there is really no compulsory need for props in yoga. Since one’s yoga routine can be tweaked and customized to each individual’s requirements, the difficulty and intensity can be modified as per each individual. So, as such there is actually little need for props, except to lower difficulty levels (or increase them), or to help people with mobility or health issues. Let us however take a look at the most commonly used yoga props and why they are used.
The yoga mat – this is of course the most commonly used one and I recommend the use of this for everyone in my yoga class. A good yoga mat will offer slight cushioning to the joints, prevent impact and prevent slipping to maintain correct position. A yoga mat also helps maintain hygiene so long as it is regularly cleaned and maintained.
Yoga blocks/ bricks – These yoga props offer support, help increase range of motion and the ability to stretch. These are typically made of wood, cork, compressed foam or similar lightweight material. They help ‘raise the floor’ for certain exercises. For instance they could help with the forward bend if one cannot touch one’s toes or for the plough pose (halaasan) if one cannot reach behind the head with one’s toes. They help in balancing when doing some of the more difficult poses.
Yoga strap /band – This yoga prop helps increase resistance to improve the efficacy of some poses without having to use weights. It can also help vary your yoga workout by letting you add different variations to standard poses.
Yoga bolster/ pillow – This can add comfort and reduce impact/ difficulty of certain aasans – particularly for older people or those recovering from injury or surgery. They also help to offer support for pregnant women who want to continue with yoga safely through their pregnancy. This can be large and firm, shaped like a pillow or it could a smaller cylindrical prop to help support the neck, or a limb/joint.
Yoga ball – Many other exercise disciplines also use this large (often inflatable) ball to improve core strength. It helps lengthen the spine, and stretch areas that would otherwise be difficult to do.
Yoga chair(s) – The yoga chair can be of two types – the first is one with legs; a steady chair that offers support for certain aasans requiring bending and inversion. This type of yoga chair may be fitted with a back bender extension and a front bar. The other is a special legless chair with a seat that rests on the ground and offers support for the back. Older people or those with back problems can be seated at ground level and still get support for their back when meditating, doing pranayama or other seated poses.
Another simple yoga prop available to all of us is a wall. This helps with restorative yoga poses to help one relax and increase wellbeing. It helps offer support for some poses and also offers support for the legs up the wall pose. Not all of us can do a freestanding headstand (sirsaasan), but can make a start using the wall as a support. So go ahead, and add some variation or comfort to your yoga routine with these props if you want.