The Yoga Props I Reach For Again And Again
Support, Strength & Surrender
In my everyday yoga practice, I usually make good use of a few yoga props including a couple of blocks, a yoga strap, a bolster, two or three yoga blankets and an eye pillow. Sometimes I might also use a chair – to do a supported backbend or restorative shoulder stand with. Other times I might use more yoga straps to explore giving different parts of my body more support and containment. If my practice is a restoration one, then there might be more bolsters and blankets involved. Some days I’ll also use my wall ropes (see below for more on these). Yes, I love using yoga props.
Not every yoga asana practice requires the use of yoga props – especially if doing a more Vinyasa or flowing practice – and for many people yoga props are not used at all. And that’s okay. However, I love using them for the extra support, awareness, lightness and nourishment they give and as a yoga teacher I see how their proper use benefits so many people in deepening their practice.
Yoga Props & Where It All Began
Yoga prop usage was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar in the 1960s. Iyengar had a myriad of physical conditions and in his poor physical health was looking for better ways to be in the different yoga postures – and ways to make yoga accessible to people of all ages and physical conditions; to help students experience correct alignment in poses and a lightness of being. Iyengar believed that props were not crutches, but rather valuable tools that could help practitioners deepen their practice and work more intelligently. He stated: “The props are there to make it easy to work harder.”
Iyengar first began experimenting with household objects like bricks, belts, and blankets to help his students experience the full benefits of yoga, even if they were sick, injured, elderly, or stiff. Eventually, these household objects became the standard yoga props we know today: Blocks, originally bricks, straps – inspired by belts, chairs, blankets, bolsters, ropes – attached to walls, etc. Iyengar’s prop-based approach formed the foundation for Therapeutic yoga, Restorative yoga and all the alignment-based yoga styles used in studios around the world today. His method proved that yoga isn’t about “achieving” a pose—it’s about using tools and intelligence to work with your body, not against it. Whether you’re sinking deeper into relaxation, finding better alignment, or simply making a yoga posture more accessible, props are here to enhance, not “fix.”
If you’re not so familiar with the props read on for some insight into how to use them to bring more comfort, awareness, and freedom into your practice. At the bottom are some links to my favourite online Australian shops where they can be bought.
Yoga Bolsters – Your Best Friend in Restorative Yoga
If I could only choose one prop forever, it might be the bolster. Bolsters help shift the nervous system into rest-and-digest mode—making them so effective for restoration, deep rest and anytime you need height, support and softness.
Here’s just a few ways I use my bolster:
Under the sacrum in Viparita Karani I Lying with the Legs Up a Wall Pose (pictured above).
Under the knees in Savasana for total lower back release.
For supported backbends (like reclining over it in Supta Baddha Konasana).
In seated forward bends to rest the head on to.
In supported child’s pose to rest the front of the torso onto.
In a wide range of restorative yoga postures to let the body fully surrender without strain
Yoga Chairs – Stability Meets Exploration
Yoga chairs open up a world of supported poses and deeper access, especially in Iyengar-inspired practices. Chairs allow you to explore advanced poses safely or simply rest into familiar ones with more depth and support.
Here’s a few ways I use my yoga chair:
For support backbends (pictured above).
For Deep Rest & Restoration in Chair Rest Practice (pictured at top of article).
In forward folds (sitting backward on the chair or folding over the seat).
For shoulder stand variations.
For seated twists, with added structure and alignment
Yoga Blocks – Small but Mighty
Don’t underestimate the humble yoga block. These little bricks of joy offer lift, stability, and spaciousness wherever you need it. Whether foam or cork, blocks are like an extension of your body—they meet you exactly where you are.
How I use them:
Under hands in standing poses to “bring the floor up”
Under hips for supported bridge or seated poses
Between thighs to activate inner legs or support alignment
Behind the head in reclined postures for gentle neck support
Yoga Straps – Find Freedom in the Reaching
Yoga isn’t about forcing yourself into a shape—it’s about meeting the shape with grace. That’s where straps come in. Straps encourage healthy lengthening instead of overreaching. They create the connection without compromising alignment.
How I use them:
In seated forward bends (looped around the feet to maintain a long spine).
Around the arms (just above the elbows) in Shoulder Stand and ‘Preparation Forearm Balance Pose’ (pictured above) to keep the elbows in line with the shoulders.
In shoulder stretches like Gomukhasana if the fingers don’t reach each other.
In reclined leg stretches (like Supta Padangusthasana) if you can’t reach the toes.
To support binding poses when hands don’t quite meet.
Yoga Blankets – Soft Support with Subtle Power
These are the quiet heroes of my prop cupboard. Simple, foldable, and endlessly versatile. I always keep a few blankets or shoulder pads nearby—they add such a sense of grounded-ness and comfort.
How I use them:
Under shoulders in shoulder stand or plow pose for cervical spine protection.
Under the pelvis to elevate hips in seated postures.
For knee support in kneeling postures.
To pad wrists, ankles, or any joints needing extra care.
In restorative yoga postures to give support and deeper rest as pictured above.
Wall Ropes
Yoga wall ropes are sturdy ropes affixed to a wall that can sustain a heavy load or a specially designed wall panel. They’re used to support the body in various asanas allowing for a more controlled stretch, decompression of the spine, and improved body awareness. Yoga wall ropes may look intimidating at first glance, but once you try them, you’ll understand the magic. They offer a unique combination of support and challenge that can unlock new experiences in your practice. They’re most commonly seen in Iyengar yoga studios but have grown in popularity across many styles due to their versatility.
Common Poses with Ropes:
Rope Sirsasana (Rope Headstand) – An inversion that allows spinal traction while minimizing pressure on the neck (pictured above).
Downward Dog with Ropes – Elongates the spine and supports the hips, allowing you to feel the pose differently than on the mat.
Supported Backbends – Deepen the chest opening while maintaining safety and control.
Rope Warrior or Lunge Variations – Adds resistance and helps train stability in the legs and hips.
Where To Buy Yoga Props
Here’s some websites to buy quality yoga props online in Australia:
www.iyogaprops.com.au
www.yoga-king.com
www.emp.com.au
www.stretchnow.com.au
Do you have a favourite prop? Or a question about how to use one in a particular pose? Contact me with any questions. I’d love to hear from you.
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