Six Yoga Props to Help Deepen Your Practice


Beginner yoga students often find it difficult to get into certain poses. To support you in your practice, you can use a "yoga prop." Yoga props are support tools which help you get into and stay longer in a certain pose. They are also useful for students who may have tight muscles or recovering from illness

Even more experienced yogis Here are some of the more common props or tools used in yoga.

1. Yoga Mat


Although not technically seen as a yoga prop, a good quality yoga mat is essential. Yoga mats come in a variety of sizes, styles and colours. Yoga mats can be made from organic, natural fibres which have been made with little impact on the environment, to man-made plastic mats. What ever style, type of mat you use, please make sure, it has a non-slip surface and is padded.

2. Yoga Relaxation Eyebags

Yoga eyebags can be made infused with lavender to promote a
deeper relaxation.
You simply place them over your eyes to block out light when you are
laying down in relaxation pose.

3. Yoga Blocks

If you have tight hamstrings or a stiff back, you may find it uncomfortable to sit on the mat. To help ease and support you can sit on a block. This helps to lift the pelvis up and lengthen and support the back which makes it easier for you to sit cross-legged on the mat.


4. Strap

Straps are very useful to help you "stretch that extra bit more" in a challenging pose, for example in the seated forward bend you can place a strap around the soles of your feet and hold the strap as you stretch forward.

5. Sandbag

This is an interesting prop to use. You place a sandbag on parts of the body, this helps to deepen your posture.

6. A Chair

Absolutely essential for students who are very inflexible, maybe overweight, disabled or elderly people who are exercising for the first time. Seated yoga enables you to do the same pose as the rest of your class, participate at your own level and still be part of a regular class example, you can do seated cobra whilst the rest of the class does the full floor yoga pose.

If you feel too old, stiff or disabled in some way, try to use a yoga prop. it will give you the extra support and assistance you may need to deepen your yoga practice.

Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher works with women who want a richer, more fulfilling life for themselves and their families. She teaches you easy yoga postures, meditation practices and relaxation techniques to help you live a healthier, wealthier and happier stress-free life. To find out more go to: http://www.yogainspires.co.uk and sign up for your copy of Ntathu's free monthly yoga Inspires enewsletter. The newsletter contains a goldmine of tips, techniques and strategies you can use to become healthier, wealthier and happier.

Email: [mailto:ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk]ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk http://www.yogainspires.co.uk

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