Anything can be a yoga prop! Part 1: Home Edition

Props can be a great way to try a new pose, modify a pose to an individual’s personal needs, keep focus on alignment, and train the body to gently go deeper into poses. I love that yoga is accessible to everybody – No matter your yoga budget (or lack thereof), you can use everyday objects as yoga props to cut costs, keep clutter to a minimum, and possibly even help our environment by avoiding mass-consumer purchasing when recycled or reusable alternatives are available.

Reducing my environmental footprint whenever possible is an important component of my yoga practice, and I hope it spills into yours as well so that we can pass on the beauty we enjoy to generations ahead. Here are some everyday yoga props from around my home. If you don’t have these exact items at home, let yourself be creative and see what you can use as a yoga prop, too!

Pillows and Blankets

Great for: Comfortable support in restful asanas

Pillows are a fabulous home option for the new, frugal, or eco-friendly yogi. Rather than purchasing a new body roller made of foam, simply grab a pillow or blanket you already have handy. No new foam products, no shipping, no waiting – Instant yoga prop with no impact on the environment!

Can’t touch your toes in a Wide-Legged Forward Bend? Fold a couple of blankets or stack a couple of pillows underneath your hands, elbows, or forehead and allow your body to gently sink deeper into the pose. Uncomfortable in Savasana? Try rolling a blanket and placing it beneath your knees or use a pillow to elevate your feet slightly. Soft, uncomplicated props like pillows and blankets give your body gentle support while you explore your flexibility, which is why they are so popular in Restorative Yoga classes.

Stack of Books

Great for: Standing balance poses

I’m a book nerd, so there are books upon books upon books throughout our home. Stacking books to use as a prop allows you to adjust the height easily. Yoga blocks are nice in that you can turn and stack them for different heights, but books offer the same–if not more–height flexibility, and without having to purchase new items to keep around your home.

Start a standing balance pose such as Half Moon with a tall stack of books. As you become more comfortable and stable in the pose over time, reduce the height of the book stack to go deeper into the pose. This is also a great technique for a Wide-Legged Forward Bend – Start with a tall stack that you can comfortably rest your hands upon, and slowly reduce the height of the stack to go deeper into your forward fold. Eventually, you might reduce or even eliminate the books in these poses!

Dresser, Table, Desk, Countertop

Great for: Supported Standing Cat-Cow

Cat-Cow is often done from a kneeling position with the palms and knees on the floor, gently flowing from Cat to Cow and back again with the rhythm of the breath. This series of gentle back warm-ups can also be done from a seated position in Seated Cat and Seated Cow.

Did you know you can get the benefits of Cat-Cow without getting on the floor? You can do these poses in a modified standing position, too! Doing these poses from a standing position is similar to what you might experience in a Barre or Pilates class.

You can use a dresser, table, desk, countertop, the back of a sofa or chair … The options for standing modifications here are endless!

Start standing in front of your chosen furniture prop. Gently place your palms or fingertips on the prop and step back until your arms are straight but not straining to reach the prop. Gently bend forward towards your prop, keeping your arms straight and spine long as your body makes the shape of an upside-down L. Pull your naval into your spine, tuck your tailbone slightly, and tuck your chin into your chest for a modified Standing Cat, then gently arch your back and lift your chin to look forward into a modified Standing Cow, keeping your palms or fingertips on your prop for support as you flow from cat to cow and back again with your breath.

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These are just a few ideas to ignite the creative yogi in you. What are some of the household items you’ve discovered to be useful yoga props? Please share in the comments!

Ready to start your own yoga practice? Want to add or modify poses for your personal needs? Sign up for a Quick Yoga Consultation to walk through these prop-based modifications together one-on-one, or request an Individual Yoga Session designed specifically for your needs and demonstrated in a live one-on-one class.