What are Props for?
- Michelle Rae Sobi
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
These are some of our favorite ways to use props in your practice.
Props in Yoga
(Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library)
🧱 Overview
Props are powerful companions in yoga practice. They help students feel supported, create space in the body, and enhance ease, safety, and alignment.
Whether you're working with beginners, supporting injury recovery, or deepening awareness in seasoned practitioners, props can transform the experience on the mat.
Think of props as bridges—they meet students where they are, allowing them to access the intention of a pose rather than forcing the shape.
📘 Define It
Yoga props are tools that help practitioners experience proper alignment, stability, and comfort.
They can:
Bring the floor to the student (blocks in Triangle)
Offer support so muscles can soften (bolsters in Restorative)
Create resistance or length (straps in forward folds)
Invite grounding and safety (sandbags, blankets)
While less is often more, intentional prop usage helps students understand what they should be feeling and why the support matters.
💛 What It Means to You
Props are invitations—not crutches.They empower students to:
Stay connected to purpose rather than aesthetics
Feel successful without strain
Explore sensation with nuance and safety
Build confidence as they grow
Your voice as a teacher is essential. Tell students what the prop is helping them experience—opening, stabilizing, grounding, lengthening, resting—so they understand the purpose, not just the placement.
Applying Props in Daily Practice
🌼 Benefits of Props
Props are widely used in Yin, Restorative, and Iyengar yoga, but they can enhance any style when used mindfully.
They help students:
Access poses that might otherwise be out of reach
Build stability and ease
Create healthier alignment
Allow muscles to release deeply
Prevent strain or injury
Experience comfort in Savasana
Progress gradually through flexibility and mobility
Props also offer a sense of empowerment:✨ “I can do this pose in a way that honors my body today.”
⚠️ Downsides to Consider
Props are a tool—not the destination.
Potential challenges include:
Over-reliance ("I can only do Triangle with a block")
Distraction or clutter during flowing sequences
Risk of injury if props are scattered and not placed safely
Overstretching when a strap or support enables a student to push too far
Encourage students to practice self-awareness and discernment. Growth happens through mindful exploration, not forcing.
🧰 Common Types of Props
Here are props frequently used in modern yoga:
Mats (cotton, rubber, thick, thin)
Yoga socks and gloves
Blocks (foam, cork, wood, wedges)
Straps (D-ring, Infinity, fixed loops)
Blankets, towels
Bolsters
Sandbags
Stools, benches
Backbenders
Yoga wheel
Folding chair (backless or regular)
Headstand stool/yoke
Yoga wall ropes
Yoga swing/hammock
Stand-up paddleboard
Wall or back of a couch
✨ Tip: If you want the entire class to use props, distribute them before class begins to maintain flow and clarity.
📘 Educational Note
This information is for education purposes only and always seek your medical team for physical and emotional support.
Students enrolled in our program may send a Slack DM to Michelle or those interested in enrolling are invited to send a CHAT to begin a conversation.
