Creative Props for a Home Practice
Now that we’re practicing at home more, you might be wondering what to do if you don’t have all the props. Fear not, this practice is not about whether or not you have the right cork block or bolster. Here are some tips for repurposing everyday items for propping.
BLOCKS
I’ve used a toolbox, a saucepan, first step on the stairs—anything solid that brings the floor closer to you works. Books are probably the most popular stand in for a block. Natasha Rizopoulos suggests War and Peace or any other book with heft, and Tristan Boyer Binns also suggests any solid book.
“I used to duct tape phone books as blocks, but any big hardcover book works, a dictionary, the complete Shakespeare, old Wisden’s Cricket Annuals... with or without the duct tape!”
Now we also know who to ask for a cricketing manual.
STRAPS
I confess that I did not have my own strap for many years, because a good belt works for many asanas (postures). But when asked, Natasha Rizopoulos suggested “a man’s tie or a bathrobe tie instead of a strap.” I immediately raided my spouse’s tie collection, and love this option (softer than my belt and the ties are not really used that often, so available when needed).
BOLSTERS
Your mind might jump to a pillow, but they can be too soft and are actually better substitutes for a rolled blanket. We tested fancy hotel pillows in one teacher training and did not love them as bolsters. There is a method for rolling towels to make a bolster that works well–see video on my Instagram page @yoga_sabbi.
“Couch cushions make excellent bolsters,” explains Marina Traub. I agree with Marina—firm couch cushions, if the part you sit on is detachable, are the the closest thing to studio bolsters.
BLANKETS
You likely have a blanket, but towels are one of the best substitutes. Small towels also make better eye covers (for my taste) than small pillows sold as eye covers. You can also fold a soft pillow in half (either direction depending on which area of the body you are propping) and substitute for a rolled blanket.
GOOD NEWS: YOUR HOME HAS PROPS YOU CAN’T FIND AT THE STUDIO!
You have all kinds of props all around you all the time! Use a plant as a drishti (gaze) focus in a balance. Find a cat (like mine) that will sit under you during forearm plank, encouraging you to stay up in the pose!
“I love a kitchen counter!” says Tristan. “Especially for Ardha Uttanasana (standing half forward bend pose). Also a bed: for a back arch lie face up on the bed and slide a bit down off the edge of the bed so the shoulder blades are pressed into the back ribs by the edge of the bed.” I also once heard Natasha suggest holding the frame of the bed and leaning back in Malasana (garland pose or yoga squat) to start to gain length in the back of the ankles without worrying about balance, a version of Malasana that I love.
Let’s not forget doorways, which are excellent for working on your hamstrings and inversions (pictured). There are never enough to actually use them in a public class. And don’t forget the corners of the room—they are all yours to support inversions.
Marina Traub mentioned that “a couch or bench can help keep one hip in flexion or extension to work on single leg balance, hip flexor engagement, and L holds. My dog is an amazing prop in the same way that blocks bring the floor a little closer when it’s just out of reach. When I feel lost and overwhelmed, a good squeeze from Fatty relieves stress, gives me purpose, makes me feel like I have a role in all this.”
FINDING BALANCE
A beloved pet brings us to the idea that yoga practice of any kind can be a refuge, a source for finding single-pointed focus when a hundred curve balls are being thrown at you and you are feeling overwhelmed.
“Standing on your head if that is part of your practice. Any kind of inversion if it is not—legs up the wall is a good one,” suggests Tristan. She also strongly advises meditation. “Even when it feels pointless because my mind is racing and I am worrying, taking time to allow these racing worries their space with compassion for myself is very helpful. After meditating I do a little pranayama and feel better for the practice.”
Natasha advises, “Practice in silence (except for the sound of a teacher’s voice)—no music or podcasts, just the sound of your own breath (and/or a beloved pet snoring beside you) … It’s amazing how quiet does actually help the vrittis (fluctuations of the mind) to settle!”
These words called to mind The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. For me, personally, texts are a refuge. The poetry of Lal Ded (a female medieval bhakti poet) is a very human voice from the past telling us that struggles, fear, searching, and doubts have always been with us, but so too have bliss and the divine.
When are props needed?
In the end, you may want to have some minimal, ‘standard’ props for particular postural yoga practices, something that Iyengar yoga teachers Tristan and Nadja Refaie have specific advice on (please reach out to them). For Level I they are working in their live streams with minimal props. For higher level classes, they are assuming basic props: 2 blocks, a strap, 2-3 blankets (or bath/beach towels).
Feel free to reach out to Down Under for tips on specific practices and guidance, but basically, props are everywhere. A wall, a tree, a kitchen table or counter—we’ve used them all and so can you!
Discover more VOICES from Down Under
