| Whilst yoga can be practised without any props or | | | | Eyebags are usually made of satin, and filled with an |
| special equipment, sooner or later most people decide | | | | organic, lightweight material like linseed. They are |
| to invest in some supplies for their home practice. | | | | used in relaxation. |
| Equipment can generally be divided into two | | | | Props were introduced by B.K.S. Iyengar, although |
| categories. First, there is the basic equipment. This | | | | they are used in many different disciplines now. The |
| can include things like mats, blankets, and perhaps | | | | reason was that it made it easier for beginners and |
| eye bags. The next tier in terms of priority might | | | | those with physical limitations to experience the |
| include straightforward supportive tools, such as | | | | benefits of some postures they may not yet be able |
| belts, bolsters, and blocks. Finally, there is a range of | | | | to do. They can also help students become more |
| specialized tools that can give very precise support | | | | aware of the subtleties of a pose, by allowing the |
| to the positions for which they were designed. This | | | | body to align as it should. The props that particularly |
| article will discuss some of the different yoga supplies | | | | help with this are blocks, belts, bolsters, chairs, wall |
| available, and what poses they are generally used for. | | | | ropes, and special props developed for specific poses. |
| Yoga mats could be classed as essential, except that | | | | Bolsters are excellent for certain floor poses, and are |
| they can be substituted by a large towel, or a cotton | | | | often used to support the back. Blocks are typically |
| rug that isn't slippery. The most important thing it | | | | used in standing poses, are and very useful when |
| does is help facilitate a student's grip as they move | | | | students are not yet flexible enough to reach the |
| through, and hold, different asanas. It is much easier | | | | ground. This is particularly true in standing poses that |
| to use a proper mat compared to a towel or rug, but | | | | involve twists. Belts are used in a variety of poses, |
| if you are short of funds, you can certainly make do. | | | | including foward bends, and others that help keep |
| Mats are generally inexpensive, with 'sticky mats' | | | | the arms in the correct alignment. These are not |
| being the cheapest. There are higher quality synthetic | | | | usually expensive items, and are worth having on |
| mats, but even these can be bought for the cost of | | | | hand. They may allow you to really spend a lot of |
| a restaurant meal. Generally, it is suggested that | | | | time in a particular pose. |
| mats be hand washed, but I have washed mine in a | | | | The most expensive yoga supplies tend to be the |
| machine with no problems. | | | | very specialized props that can be used in headstand |
| Cotton mats tend to be used in some Indian yoga | | | | and backbends. They are certainly not crucial, in that |
| centers, and are also available on the internet. There | | | | you can use cheaper props to gain support in those |
| are also 'ecological' mats, made out of rubber, or | | | | poses. But they may offer particular benefits that |
| other natural materials. These are quite popular with | | | | are worth the cost to those than can reasonably |
| yoga practitioners who are sensitive to their effect | | | | afford them. |
| on the environment. | | | | Good yoga props can make a home practice more |
| Blankets can be used in relaxation at the end of a | | | | enjoyable. It is particularly gratifying to be able to |
| session, or to provide gentle support when doing | | | | extend one's ability in a pose, and practicing at home |
| some poses such as shoulderstand and headstand. | | | | certainly provides the luxury of time sometimes not |
| Blankets tend to be thin and lightweight. This is | | | | available in a class. Props, in this instance, would be |
| especially important when they are used to support | | | | very beneficial. But whether you need anything |
| the neck in the above mentioned asanas. | | | | beyond the basics, a mat, is an individual call. |