Props are one of the hallmarks of Iyengar yoga. Blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, chairs and ropes help adapt the poses to what your body can do.
What props do
With props you can keep the body in the correct position and make a pose more accessible without losing its effect. They also let you build mobility, strength and stability gradually, without unnecessary strain.
The main props and how we use them
Blocks bring the floor closer when you can’t reach it yet, for example in standing forward bends.
Straps extend your reach in poses where the hands can’t meet or hold the feet.
Bolsters and blankets support the body in restorative poses and help it relax fully.
Chairs make balance and back-bending poses safer and help you stay in them longer.
Wall ropes support the body in hanging poses and help release the spine and shoulders.
Not a shortcut
Using props doesn’t make the practice easier or less serious. On the contrary, they help you do the poses more accurately, understand how the body works and gradually develop its capacities.
Read also: What is Iyengar yoga? and How to help the body relax after a demanding day
