yoga props, that is.
When I first started yoga, I thought it wasn’t cool to use props. Props were something that novices used because they couldn’t do the full poses. Sheesh!
Then when I started practicing seriously, I found that the stigma regarding props was carried on through students and teachers who thought that is was tantamount to ‘cheating’ and inauthentic.
But speaking practically (and with an injury phobia), props are great-given that you use props that are individualized to your areas of weakness. In other words, you might have a current injury or a genetic predisposition (or body quirk), and the props allow you to do the pose to their full expression. In my small practice “tribe”, there are a few people that can nail any pose involving inversions and backbends. I’m not in the that tribe. There’s a completely different group that is masterful in splits and putting their legs behind their heads. I’m in this group.
Therefore, props are perfectly justifiable when used as a temporary aide so that your muscles can practice a more correct version of the pose. And to allow your brain and neural pathways can get used to it. They’re not crutches!
I have a yoga strap that I use occasionally on one 2nd series Ashtanga pose. But I carry it with me because if I take a different class and we are doing, say, “dancer pose” (like the class I had on Monday) I can use my OWN strap. With my own lovely sweat.
This is the one that I have but many people have the double cinch strap (non plastic buckle) 
That’s the other thing, studios don’t wash their props, ppl!!
My feet sometimes slip even with my sticky mat. I use either a yoga towel 
this one ^ from Yogitoes is the brand that I use. Supposedly, there are ones that feel like microfiber (like a shammy WOW) and work better. Get a FULL size one. I do not like using rugs because you still slip on the rugs and I get rug burns when I do jump thru’s (=when you jump your legs all the way out in front of you after a vinyasa and down dog).
or yoga socks.
( Gaiam socks ) Supposedly, you can get these socks at Target or Amazon.com now 
If I’m doing a handstand or “flips” and I don’t want my hands to slip out (been there and unfortunately done that!), I can put 1/2 of the towel/mat down as well. In a pinch, I’ve used a beach towel.
I used blocks for awhile to hoist myself up during vinyasas so that I could learn to do a jump-thru!
Tags: ashtanga yoga, fit chick, fit chick fitness, yoga exercise, yoga fitness, yoga poses, yoga props, yoga tips
Leave a Reply