Top 10 Yoga Props That Will Instantly Improve Your Practice

Yoga is often celebrated as a practice that requires nothing more than your body and breath, but anyone who has practiced regularly knows how much props can transform the experience. Whether you’re a beginner learning the foundations or an advanced yogi seeking refinement, props create accessibility, support alignment, and unlock new depths in poses. They’re not shortcuts — they’re bridges.

When we talk about props, it’s important to understand that their purpose is not to “fix” a pose but to adapt it to your body. Instead of forcing yourself into a posture, props meet you where you are, making the practice safer, more enjoyable, and more sustainable. According to the Yoga Alliance, incorporating props into practice increases inclusivity, allowing students with different body types, flexibility levels, and physical conditions to fully participate.

In this guide, we’ll explore ten props that can make a significant difference in your yoga practice. In Part 1, we’ll take a deep dive into five of them — the mat, blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets — showing how each can instantly improve your practice, what to look for when buying, and how to use them effectively.

Why Yoga Props Are Essential for Every Level

Many yoga practitioners hesitate to use props, thinking they’re only for beginners. In reality, some of the most advanced yogis and teachers in the world rely on props daily. Renowned yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar was a pioneer in using props, demonstrating that they can deepen awareness, improve posture, and provide therapeutic benefits.

Props matter because they:

• Enhance Alignment: By creating external support, props help guide the body into proper positioning.

• Increase Accessibility: Poses that may feel out of reach become possible with props.

• Promote Safety: Props reduce the risk of overstretching or collapsing into joints.

• Support Relaxation: In restorative yoga, props allow the body to release tension completely.

• Encourage Exploration: Props invite curiosity and play by enabling new variations of familiar poses.

Yoga Mat: The Foundation of Your Practice

While not always thought of as a “prop,” the yoga mat is the foundation for almost every practice. Without a good mat, even the simplest poses can feel uncomfortable or unstable.

A yoga mat does three essential things: provides traction, cushions joints, and defines your personal practice space. For dynamic practices like vinyasa or Ashtanga, grip is crucial to prevent slipping in downward dog or warrior poses. For restorative or yin yoga, extra cushioning can protect knees, hips, and spine during long holds.

How to choose the right yoga mat:

• Thickness: Standard mats are 4–5mm thick. Choose thicker (6–8mm) for joint protection, or thinner (2–3mm) for portability and balance work.

• Material: Natural rubber offers great grip but may feel heavy. Cork mats are eco-friendly and antimicrobial. PVC mats are durable and affordable, though less sustainable.

• Texture: A sticky or textured surface prevents sliding. This is especially helpful in hot yoga.

Example in practice: In crow pose (bakasana), a grippy mat prevents the hands from slipping, giving you the confidence to balance longer. In savasana, a cushioned mat makes full-body relaxation more comfortable.

Yoga Blocks: Your Alignment Ally

Yoga blocks are among the most versatile props. Whether made from foam, cork, or wood, they act as extensions of the body, supporting balance, alignment, and flexibility. Beginners often use blocks to “bring the ground closer,” but advanced practitioners rely on them too — for stability in arm balances or to refine hip alignment in standing poses.

Benefits of yoga blocks include:

• Allowing safe access to deeper stretches without straining.

• Helping maintain alignment in standing poses like triangle or half-moon.

• Supporting seated meditation by lifting the hips and aligning the spine.

• Providing gentle elevation for restorative poses.

Buying tips:

• Foam blocks: Lightweight, soft, ideal for restorative practices.

• Cork blocks: Eco-friendly, firm, and supportive for standing poses.

• Wood blocks: Very sturdy but less comfortable for restorative use.

Example in practice: In triangle pose (trikonasana), placing a block under the bottom hand ensures the spine remains long and the chest open, rather than collapsing toward the ground.

Yoga Straps: Flexibility Without Strain

Yoga straps are essential for safely working on flexibility. They extend your reach, allowing you to hold poses that would otherwise feel impossible. Straps are also powerful alignment tools, teaching you to move into postures gradually and without overstraining.

How yoga straps enhance practice:

• In forward folds, they let you loop around the feet and elongate the spine instead of rounding the back.

• In shoulder-opening poses, they connect the hands when they don’t yet meet.

• In reclined leg stretches, they provide stability and control for hamstring release.

Most straps are made of durable cotton with a buckle for adjusting length. For beginners, longer straps (8–10 feet) provide more versatility.

Example in practice: In cow face pose (gomukhasana), many people struggle to clasp their hands behind the back. A strap bridges the gap, allowing gradual shoulder opening without discomfort.

Bolsters: The Comfort Prop

Bolsters are large, firm cushions that support the body in restorative, yin, and prenatal yoga. They’re designed to encourage relaxation by making long-held poses comfortable and sustainable. Bolsters allow muscles to release tension gradually while the body is fully supported.

Benefits of using bolsters:

• Provide chest opening in reclined bound angle pose.

• Support gentle backbends for spine health.

• Relieve lower back strain in savasana when placed under the knees.

• Encourage deep breathing by opening the diaphragm.

Choosing a bolster:

• Rectangular bolsters: Stable and versatile for a wide range of poses.

• Round bolsters: Great for chest openers and deeper backbends.

• Filling: Cotton is firm, foam is lightweight, buckwheat molds to the body.

Example in practice: In supported child’s pose, resting the torso on a bolster allows complete release in the hips and spine while promoting relaxation.

Yoga Blankets: Versatility and Support

A yoga blanket might seem like a simple accessory, but it’s one of the most versatile props in the studio. Traditionally woven from cotton or wool, blankets provide comfort, padding, and gentle elevation.

Ways to use yoga blankets:

• Folded under knees in tabletop to cushion joints.

• Rolled up as a support in shoulder stand or fish pose.

• Layered for extra height in seated meditation.

• Draped for warmth and comfort during savasana.

Blankets are especially useful in restorative practices, where small adjustments in support can dramatically increase comfort. They also provide a tactile sense of grounding, making relaxation deeper.

Example in practice: In seated forward fold (paschimottanasana), placing a folded blanket under the hips tilts the pelvis forward, helping to lengthen the spine instead of rounding the back.

Yoga Wheel: Opening and Strengthening

The yoga wheel is a relatively new prop that has gained immense popularity in recent years. Shaped like a sturdy circular ring, it’s designed to support backbends, deepen stretches, and build strength through dynamic movements.

When placed under the spine, the wheel gently encourages chest opening while providing firm support. This makes challenging backbends safer and more accessible. It can also be used under the feet or hands for balance training and core strengthening.

Benefits of the yoga wheel include:

• Improves spinal flexibility and posture.

• Enhances balance in advanced poses.

• Provides massage-like pressure for tight back muscles.

• Builds core strength through dynamic exercises.

Example in practice: In supported bridge pose, rolling the spine over the wheel creates a gentle, controlled backbend that relieves tension while improving mobility.

Sandbags: Grounding and Deep Release

Sandbags may look simple, but they’re powerful tools in yoga practice. Typically weighing 5–10 pounds, sandbags are placed on the body during restorative poses to encourage deeper release. The gentle weight provides a grounding sensation, signaling the nervous system to relax.

Common uses for sandbags:

• Across the thighs in reclining bound angle pose to gently open the hips.

• On the feet or shoulders to enhance grounding in restorative postures.

• Over the abdomen to encourage diaphragmatic breathing.

Sandbags are especially valuable for stress relief and relaxation. The weight mimics a comforting touch, which can calm anxiety and promote mindfulness.

Yoga Chairs: Support for Every Pose

Specially designed yoga chairs, often with the back removed, open up a wide range of possibilities for practice. They are staples in Iyengar yoga, where precision and alignment are emphasized. Chairs provide stability and support in challenging poses while making inversions more accessible.

How yoga chairs enhance practice:

• Provide support for shoulder stand, headstand, and backbends.

• Offer stability in standing poses for those with balance issues.

• Create variations of seated poses for people with limited mobility.

• Help refine alignment by giving tactile feedback.

Example in practice: In supported shoulder stand, resting the legs on a chair removes pressure from the neck and allows the practitioner to experience the benefits of inversion safely.

Eye Pillows: Small Prop, Big Impact

Eye pillows may seem like a luxury rather than a necessity, but they can dramatically enhance relaxation. Usually filled with flaxseed or lavender, these soft pillows rest gently on the eyes during savasana or meditation.

Benefits of eye pillows:

• Block out light, promoting deeper relaxation.

• Apply gentle pressure to reduce eye strain and tension.

• Aromatherapy fillings like lavender encourage calmness.

While they don’t affect alignment or flexibility, eye pillows are powerful in creating a complete mind-body practice. They remind you that yoga isn’t just about movement but also about rest and renewal.

Meditation Cushions: Comfort for Stillness

For many practitioners, sitting cross-legged for extended periods can cause discomfort in the hips, knees, or lower back. Meditation cushions, or zafus, provide the elevation needed to maintain spinal alignment and comfort during seated meditation.

Why cushions matter:

• Lift the hips above the knees, reducing strain.

• Support longer meditation sessions without discomfort.

• Encourage an upright, stable posture.

Cushions come in different shapes, from round zafus to crescent designs that fit the body’s curves. Filled with buckwheat or kapok, they provide firm yet comfortable support.

Example in practice: In simple seated meditation, using a cushion prevents slouching and encourages calm focus on the breath.

Caring for Your Props

Props last longer and perform better with proper care. Since most yoga gear is used regularly and comes into contact with sweat and skin, cleanliness is key.

• Mats: Wipe down after each practice with a mild cleaner. Deep clean monthly.

• Blocks and straps: Wash fabric straps periodically. Spot clean blocks; cork can be wiped with vinegar solution.

• Bolsters and blankets: Use washable covers; air out bolsters to prevent odors.

• Wheels and sandbags: Store in dry areas; check sandbags for leaks.

• Eye pillows and cushions: Wash removable covers; replace fillings as needed.

Taking care of your props not only protects your investment but also ensures a safe, hygienic practice environment.

Building Your Personal Yoga Prop Kit

Not everyone needs all ten props right away. The right kit depends on your goals, practice style, and space.

Starter kit (for most beginners):

• Yoga mat

• Two blocks

• Strap

• Blanket

Restorative or Yin yoga kit:

• Bolster

• Blanket

• Eye pillow

• Sandbag

Advanced or Iyengar-inspired kit:

• Mat

• Blocks and strap

• Chair

• Wheel

By gradually building a kit tailored to your needs, you’ll enhance both comfort and exploration in your practice.

Final Thoughts: Props as Pathways

The beauty of yoga props is that they serve as pathways, not shortcuts. They honor the uniqueness of each body, ensuring the practice is both safe and transformative. Instead of seeing props as signs of limitation, embrace them as tools of empowerment — they allow you to explore more deeply, breathe more fully, and rest more completely.

From mats and blocks to wheels and eye pillows, each prop has its place in supporting your journey. Whether you’re easing into a restorative pose after a long day, pushing boundaries with a wheel-supported backbend, or simply enjoying savasana with an eye pillow, these tools make yoga more accessible, sustainable, and rewarding.

The next time you unroll your mat, remember: props don’t take you away from the practice — they bring the practice closer to you.