A practical guide to yoga props
What blocks, straps, bolsters and blankets actually do, which ones are worth buying first, and how to improvise at home without hurting yourself.
Yogasan Editorial · Published · Updated · 3 min read
Props have an image problem. They are often treated as evidence that you cannot do the pose properly, which is exactly backwards: they are how you do the pose properly for your body today.
A block under the hand is not a lesser Triangle. It is Triangle, at the height your hamstrings currently allow. The alternative — collapsing the spine to reach the floor — teaches the body a shape it will have to unlearn.
The four props worth owning
Two blocks
Blocks bring the floor closer for hands, seat and feet. Cork is dense and stable; foam is lighter and softer. Either works.
Use them for: Triangle, Half Moon, seated folds, supported Bridge, and any pose where the hand cannot comfortably reach the floor.
DIY: a stack of firm books, a low stool, or a sturdy box. Avoid anything unstable or sharp.
A strap
A strap extends your reach. It is most useful for bound poses, seated folds and shoulder work where the hands do not meet.
Use it for: Bound Angle, Head-to-Knee, Cow Face arms, seated folds.
DIY: a belt, a dressing-gown cord, or a long towel. Avoid anything that will slip or cut into the skin.
A blanket
A folded blanket does three jobs: padding, height and support. It is the most versatile prop you own.
Use it for: under knees in lunges, under hips in seated poses, under the shoulders in Shoulderstand, and folded under the forehead in Child’s Pose.
DIY: any firm blanket or thick towel. Fold it flat rather than bunching it.
A bolster
A bolster is a long, firm cylinder or rectangle used for supported rest. It turns several poses into restorative ones: supported Bridge, reclined Bound Angle, and a supported Child’s Pose.
It is the last prop to buy. A firm pillow or two folded blankets can stand in for most uses.
Props you can skip at first
- Specialised mats for hot yoga. A towel over a normal mat works for a first class.
- Yoga socks with grips. Useful for some people, unnecessary for most.
- Adjustable straps with buckles. A simple loop strap is more versatile.
- Matching prop sets. Buy what you use, not what looks tidy.
How to use props without undermining the pose
The rule is simple: use the prop to keep the intended alignment, not to avoid the work.
In Triangle, a block under the lower hand keeps the spine long and the chest open. That is the point of the pose. Collapsing toward the floor to prove you can reach it defeats the purpose.
In seated folds, sitting on a blanket tilts the pelvis forward so the hinge happens at the hips rather than the lower back. Again: the prop restores the intention.
A note on safety
Check that props are stable before you weight them. Blocks should sit flat; blankets should be folded, not bunched; straps should be in good condition. Never balance a block on its edge under a loaded hand.
If a prop makes a pose feel unstable, remove it. Support should increase confidence, not introduce wobble.
Related: How to start yoga at home and the Restorative reset.
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