The Best Essential Props for Yoga

Yoga is a great, low-impact way to get in shape. It’s also a great way to relieve stress. Most practitioners don’t need any equipment other than their own body, but if you’re looking for some extra help with balance or stretching, yoga props can give you an extra boost. Yoga props are also great tools for teaching yoga to kids or beginners because they make it easier to learn the basic poses and proper form. Here are some props you need to elevate your yoga routine.

1. Yoga straps

One common piece of equipment is called a strap or yoga strap . You can use this item to assist you with poses that are tough to achieve without help. This item works by using it as leverage to help you stretch further than you normally would be able to go alone. Yoga straps come in all different sizes and colors, but they are generally easy to use and relatively affordable.

2. Yoga mat: If you’re going to do a lot of yoga in a row or spend an hour or more on one pose, it might be worth investing in a quality yoga mat. Cheap, thin mats can make your poses uncomfortable and even unsafe if they cause you to slip or shift position unexpectedly.

3. Yoga blocks: Blocks help you achieve proper alignment during poses like Downward Dog and Pyramid Pose (Malasana). They come in various sizes and materials; experiment with different kinds to see which work best for you.  Yoga blocks are used for many different types of yoga positions. They’re usually made from foam or cork, but can also be made from wood or other materials. Yoga blocks are most often used under the hands when doing seated forward bends so that you don’t strain your back by bending over too far. You can also use them under your feet in standing forward bends so that you don’t bend over at an unsafe angle.