Using Props Effectively

Props are not crutches or signs of weakness—they're tools for intelligent practice. A well-placed block can transform a frustrating forward fold into an accessible exploration of length and release. A strap can make a binding pose available to students who would otherwise strain or skip it entirely. Bolsters and blankets create the support that allows deep rest and restoration.

Yet many teachers hesitate to offer props, worried that students will see them as admissions of inadequacy. Some students resist props for the same reason, believing that "real yoga" means touching the floor without assistance or binding hands behind the back through sheer determination. This mindset misses the point entirely.

Props serve multiple purposes: they make poses accessible to students with different body proportions and flexibility levels, they support proper alignment, they allow students to sustain poses longer without strain, and they enable therapeutic applications of yoga for injury recovery or chronic conditions. Understanding when and how to use props effectively is essential for inclusive, sustainable teaching.

The Philosophy of Props

Props as Extensions of Intelligence

In the Iyengar tradition, props are considered extensions of the teacher's hands—tools that allow students to experience proper alignment and the intended effects of a pose even when their current capacity doesn't allow the "full expression." This isn't about making poses easier; it's about making them accessible and effective.

According to teachings in Teaching Hatha Yoga, "The judicious use of props to support the body can be tremendously helpful to bring the body toward optimal alignment. For example, for students with restricted low back and hips, sitting on the height of a firm block will allow the bowl of the pelvis to tip forward enough for the spine to extend more easily."

This perspective shifts props from remedial aids to intelligent tools. A student sitting on a block in Sukhasana isn't "cheating"—they're creating the conditions for proper spinal alignment that their current hip flexibility doesn't yet allow.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Props make yoga accessible to a wider range of students. Someone recovering from injury, managing chronic pain, or simply built with proportions that make certain poses challenging can participate fully when props are available and normalized.

Mark Stephens emphasizes in Yoga Sequencing that "all new students deserve an individualized welcome from their teacher. Along with asking about prior experience, injuries, and intentions, this initial contact is essential in helping new students feel more comfortable in class." Part of that welcome is making props available without stigma, presenting them as standard tools rather than special accommodations.

When props are integrated seamlessly into your teaching—when you demonstrate poses with props, when you use them yourself, when you offer them matter-of-factly—students understand that props are part of practice, not exceptions to it.

Props Support Exploration

Props allow students to stay in poses longer, which creates space for deeper exploration. In restorative practice, bolsters and blankets provide the support that allows complete muscular release. In active practice, a block under the hand in Triangle Pose might allow a student to maintain proper alignment long enough to actually feel the intended opening through the side body, rather than collapsing and straining.

This extended time in poses—made possible by appropriate support—is where transformation happens. Students learn to distinguish between productive sensation and harmful strain. They develop body awareness and the ability to self-regulate. They discover that effort and ease can coexist.

Types of Props and Their Primary Uses

Blocks

Blocks bring the floor closer. They're invaluable in standing poses (Triangle, Half Moon, Extended Side Angle), forward folds (Standing Forward Fold, Seated Forward Fold), and as support in seated poses (elevating the hips in cross-legged positions).

Blocks come in different materials (foam, cork, wood) and can be used on three different heights. This versatility allows for precise adjustments. A student might start with a block on its tallest height under their hand in Triangle, then gradually lower it as flexibility increases.

Blocks also provide stability in balancing poses and can be used actively (squeezing a block between the thighs in Bridge Pose to engage the inner legs) or passively (supporting the sacrum in restorative backbends).

Straps

Straps extend reach. They're essential for binds that would otherwise be inaccessible (Cow Face Pose, Bound Side Angle), for maintaining alignment in forward folds (holding a strap around the feet rather than rounding the spine to reach), and for supported leg stretches (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose).

Straps also provide traction, allowing students to use their arms to create length in the spine or deepen a stretch without forcing. The key is teaching students to use straps to maintain alignment, not to pull themselves deeper into misalignment.

Bolsters

Bolsters provide substantial support for restorative poses, gentle backbends, and supported forward folds. They're the foundation of restorative practice, allowing complete release of muscular effort.

Bolsters come in different shapes (rectangular, round) and densities. Round bolsters are excellent for gentle chest openers; rectangular bolsters provide stable support for legs in restorative poses or under the torso in supported Child's Pose.

Blankets

Blankets are the most versatile props. Folded, they provide cushioning for knees, elevation for hips in seated poses, or support under the head in Savasana. Rolled, they support the natural curve of the spine or provide gentle traction under the ankles in Savasana. Draped, they provide warmth and a sense of containment in final relaxation.

The key to using blankets effectively is learning to fold them precisely. A neatly folded blanket provides firm, even support; a loosely folded blanket collapses and shifts.

Chairs and Walls

Chairs and walls are often overlooked as props, but they're invaluable for students with limited mobility, balance challenges, or those recovering from injury. Chair yoga makes practice accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. Walls provide support for inversions, balance in standing poses, and feedback for alignment.

Teaching with Props

Normalizing Props from the Start

The way you introduce props sets the tone. If you present them apologetically—"If you need a block, there are some in the corner"—students will hesitate to use them. If you integrate them naturally—"Everyone grab two blocks; we'll use them in our standing sequence"—students understand that props are standard equipment.

Demonstrate poses with props yourself. Use them in your own practice. This models that props aren't for "beginners" or "inflexible people"—they're for everyone.

Offering Props Proactively

Don't wait for students to struggle before offering props. If you're teaching Triangle Pose and you know most students will benefit from a block, cue it from the start: "Place a block on its tallest height outside your front foot. We'll use it to maintain length in the spine rather than collapsing to reach the floor."

This proactive approach prevents students from straining in the first place. It also removes the stigma—if everyone is using a block, no one feels singled out.

Teaching Students to Self-Select

As students gain experience, teach them to assess their own needs and choose props accordingly. You might say: "Notice if you're rounding your spine to reach your foot. If so, use a strap to maintain length. The goal isn't to touch your toes; it's to create length through the back of your body."

This cultivates student agency and body awareness. Students learn to use props as tools for exploration rather than waiting for teacher permission.

Demonstrating Multiple Options

When teaching a pose, demonstrate it with and without props, or show different prop variations. For example, in Supported Bridge Pose, you might show a block under the sacrum at different heights, or a bolster for more restorative support.

This gives students a visual reference for their options and helps them understand that there's no single "right" way to use props—it depends on their intention and current capacity.

Common Prop Applications

Standing Poses

In Triangle Pose, Extended Side Angle, and Half Moon, blocks bring the floor closer, allowing students to maintain length in the spine and openness in the chest rather than collapsing to reach the ground.

Cue: "Place your block outside your front foot. As you extend to the side, let your hand rest on the block. Focus on lengthening through both sides of your waist, not on how low you can reach."

Forward Folds

In seated forward folds, a strap around the feet allows students to maintain a long spine rather than rounding to grab their toes. In standing forward folds, blocks under the hands provide support and allow students to focus on lengthening the hamstrings rather than forcing depth.

Cue: "Loop a strap around the balls of your feet. Hold the strap with both hands and use it to draw your chest forward, lengthening your spine. The strap allows you to maintain alignment while your hamstrings gradually release."

Hip Openers

In Pigeon Pose, a block or bolster under the hip of the bent leg prevents the pelvis from tilting and allows the hip to release without strain. In Reclining Bound Angle Pose, blocks or bolsters under the thighs support the legs and allow the inner groins to release.

Cue: "Place a block under your right hip so your pelvis stays level. This support allows your hip to open gradually without forcing."

Backbends

In Supported Bridge Pose, a block under the sacrum provides gentle traction and allows students to rest in a mild backbend without muscular effort. In restorative chest openers, a bolster under the spine creates a supported arch that opens the front body.

Cue: "Slide a block under your sacrum—the flat bone at the base of your spine. Start with the block on its lowest height. Let your weight rest completely on the block. This is a passive backbend; there's no muscular effort required."

Restorative Poses

In restorative practice, props are essential. Bolsters support the torso in Supported Child's Pose or Supported Forward Fold. Blankets provide elevation, cushioning, and warmth. The goal is to create enough support that students can release all muscular effort and rest completely.

Cue: "We're building a nest of support. Use as many props as you need to feel completely held. In restorative practice, more support is better—it allows your nervous system to shift into rest mode."

Props for Different Populations

Beginners

Beginners often need props to make poses accessible while they build strength and flexibility. Blocks in standing poses, straps in forward folds, and elevation under the hips in seated poses are common needs.

The key is presenting props as standard tools, not remedial aids. When everyone uses props, beginners don't feel singled out.

Seniors and Students with Limited Mobility

Chair yoga and wall support make practice accessible to seniors and students with balance challenges or limited mobility. Blocks and bolsters provide stable support for getting up and down from the floor.

According to Stephens, creating sequences for seniors requires particular attention to accessibility and safety. Props aren't optional—they're essential for making practice available to this population.

Pregnant Students

Bolsters and blocks support modifications for pregnancy. Bolsters elevate the torso in reclining poses (avoiding lying flat on the back after the first trimester), blocks provide support in standing poses, and blankets offer cushioning for knees and comfort in seated poses.

Students with Injuries

Props allow students to continue practicing while recovering from injury. A block under the hand in Downward Dog reduces weight-bearing on an injured wrist. A strap allows shoulder stretches without forcing a healing rotator cuff. Bolsters support gentle movement without strain.

The key is working within pain-free range of motion and using props to maintain alignment while respecting limitations.

Common Challenges

Students Who Resist Props

Some students resist props, believing they should be able to do poses "on their own." This often comes from ego or misunderstanding the purpose of yoga.

Address this directly: "Props aren't about making poses easier—they're about making them more effective. A block in Triangle Pose allows you to maintain proper alignment, which means you're actually working more intelligently, not less."

You can also reframe props as tools for exploration: "Try this pose with and without a block. Notice the difference. Which version allows you to breathe more easily? Which creates more length in your spine? Use that information to choose your approach."

Not Enough Props

In large classes, you may not have enough props for everyone. Prioritize students who need them most (beginners, those with injuries, seniors), and encourage students to share or take turns.

You can also teach students to use household items: books as blocks, belts as straps, couch cushions as bolsters. This makes home practice more accessible.

Props as Crutches

Occasionally, students become dependent on props and don't challenge themselves to progress. While props should be available as long as they're useful, encourage students to experiment with less support as their capacity grows.

You might say: "You've been using a block on its tallest height in Triangle for several months. Today, try the middle height and notice what's different. You might be ready for less support, or you might find the tall height still serves you best. Either way, you're gathering information."

In Practice: Teaching Triangle Pose with Props

Here's how you might teach Triangle Pose with clear prop options:

1. Set up: "Everyone grab a block and place it outside your right foot—tallest height to start. We'll use it to maintain length in the spine."

2. Demonstrate: Show the pose with the block, emphasizing the long spine and open chest.

3. Cue the pose: "Step your feet wide. Turn your right foot out, left foot slightly in. Reach your right arm forward, then let your hand rest on the block. Extend your left arm up. Focus on lengthening both sides of your waist equally."

4. Offer variations: "If the tall height feels too high, try the middle height. If you want more challenge, try the lowest height or even the floor—but only if you can maintain length in your spine. The height of your hand matters less than the quality of the pose."

5. Refine: "Use the block as feedback. If you're pressing heavily into it, you might be collapsing. Lighten your touch and engage your legs more fully."

6. Hold and breathe: "Stay for five breaths. Notice how the block allows you to focus on the opening through your chest and the strength in your legs, rather than struggling to reach the floor."

Common Questions

When should I stop using props?

There's no rule that says you must "graduate" from props. Use them as long as they serve your practice. Some poses may always benefit from prop support, and that's perfectly fine. The goal is effective, sustainable practice, not achieving a prop-free ideal.

Are props only for beginners?

No. Advanced practitioners use props to refine alignment, explore new variations, and support restorative practice. Props are tools for all levels.

How do I know which props to use?

Experiment. Try a pose with and without props, or with different prop heights or configurations. Notice which version allows you to breathe easily, maintain alignment, and explore the intended actions of the pose. That's your answer.

What if I don't have props at home?

Use household items: books as blocks, a belt or scarf as a strap, couch cushions or firm pillows as bolsters, towels or blankets for cushioning and support. Yoga props are helpful but not essential—creativity works too.

Should I offer props to everyone or only to students who seem to need them?

Offer props to everyone. This normalizes their use and prevents students from feeling singled out. You can say, "Everyone grab a block" rather than "If you need a block, there are some in the corner."

Next Steps

To deepen your understanding of props in yoga practice, explore:

• Blocks and Straps: Detailed guidance on using these essential props.
• Bolsters and Blankets: How to use supportive props for restorative and therapeutic practice.
• Restorative Yoga: A style where props are essential, not optional.
• Yin Yoga: Using props to support long-held, passive stretches.

Sources

This article draws on teachings from:

• Teaching Hatha Yoga manual (judicious use of props, alignment support, health concerns)
• Mark Stephens, Yoga Sequencing (welcoming students, creating accessible sequences, teaching seniors)
• Iyengar yoga tradition (props as extensions of the teacher's hands, alignment-focused practice)
• B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Yoga (prop applications in specific poses)

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Part of the Sutrix Teacher Knowledge Base • Last updated November 6, 2025