Although we’ve heard that some yoga teachers say using props is “cheating” (see Cheating at Yoga?), we couldn’t disagree more. For us here at Yoga for Healthy Aging, props are quite simply a godsend. In fact, it took me some effort to whittle down the reasons why we think props are so beneficial—and loveable—to just seven. Yes, we love props so much because they:1. Keep Us Safe. Using a prop can help prevent injuries caused by overstretching or misalignment. For some people—whether due to lack of flexibility or anatomy (short arms), reaching the floor is difficult and using a prop, for example, in Triangle pose (Trikonasana) or Half Moon pose (Arda Chandrasana) can make the difference between overstretching your hamstrings and keeping them healthy. And for people who are stiff or have back problems using a prop in a backbend like Camel pose (Ustrasana) can prevent stressing the low back. Someone whose arms are misaligned, with a carrying angle, for example, can use a strap just above the elbows to prevent uneven wear and tear on the elbow joints in Downward-Facing Dog pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana).
Camel Pose with a Bolster
2. Stabilize Us. For people with balance problems or who are weak, using props in standing poses can keep you from falling. You can use the wall (with a foot or hand on the wall) or you can support yourself with a chair. Even a block to support your hand can help stabilize you in the pose.Triangle Pose with the Wall
3. Allow Us to Breathe. Using a prop to achieve a healthy alignment—one in which your spine retains its natural curves and your chest is open— helps you to take deep and easy breaths. For example, if your hips are tight, sitting on a block or folded blanket allows you to maintain an upright posture, rather than collapsing your chest. Using props can also help reduce pain in a pose, like foot or knee pain in Hero pose (Virasana), and allowing you to be more comfortable, well, that makes breathing easier, too.Hero Pose with Block and Blanket
4. Let Us Heal. After you injure yourself or experience illness or surgery, using props allow you to gradually restore strength and flexibility to a challenged area. For example, someone recovering from a wrist injury could practice Downward-Facing Dog pose with hands on the wall, then hands on a chair, and then hands on blocks while moving through the healing process.Downward-Facing Dog with Chair
5. Let Us Relax. Without props, there wouldn’t be restorative yoga! In restorative poses, the props allow you to take the shape of a pose, such as backbend, twist or forward bend, without muscular effort so you can stay in the pose for long periods of time and relax deeply. And in more active poses using props in poses that otherwise push you to your absolute limits allows you to be comfortable—or at least more comfortable—while still obtaining the benefits of the pose.Supported Child's Pose
6. Empower Us. When you’re ready to progress beyond the basics, props can enable you take the first baby steps working toward a challenging pose. For example, practicing Warrior 3 (Virabradrasana 3) or Side Plank pose (Vasithasana) with a wall is a good way to get started working toward the classic versions of the poses. And how else could we work on One-Legged King Pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) without blankets, blocks and a strap?Warrior 3 with the Wall
7. Enable All of Us! No matter what shape you’re in—even if you can’t get down to the floor, can't stand up or can’t move parts of your body—props allow you to take the shape of a pose and obtain the benefits of stretching, moving your joints, and breathing mindfully. (I once taught yoga to a paraplegic who had very tight shoulders and back pain from rolling his wheelchair with his arms.) As a matter of fact, my new motto is this: With yoga props, there is always a way.Hunting Dog for Those Who Can't Kneel
For suggestions on how to make your own props using common household items, see Making Your Own Yoga Props.Subscribe to Yoga for Healthy Aging by Email ° Follow Yoga for Healthy Aging on Facebook ° Join this site with Google Friend Connect