5 Yoga Props to Support Your Home Practice

 
Hugger Mugger Yoga Props
 

I think it’s safe to say that both you and I have had to get creative to keep our bodies moving during 2020. I've rolled out my yoga mat and gathered my yoga props more than ever this year. You too? So as we take our yoga practices online you may realize the need for a few props here and there.

Whether you're thinking of starting yoga in January 2021 or you're already practicing at home, you know that you'll need a yoga mat.

But what about yoga blocks, eye bags, bolsters, yoga blankets, straps, and weighted sandbags? Even just reading that sentence may feel a little overwhelming! I hope to share a bit of my knowledge to help you enter the world of props and deepen your at-home yoga practice.

1. Yoga Mat

Gathre Yoga Mats / Jade Voyager Mat in Midnight Blue

Did you know that ancient yogis used tiger skins to sit on during their practice? Or that the yoga mat came about from carpet underlay and someone who couldn't sweat out of her hands and feet? 

In the 1960s, Angela Farmer had a surgery that affected her from sweating out of her hands and feet. She would slide dangerously all over while trying to hold poses. 

Her father found some underlining to carpet, and she discovered that it helped her find stability in her practice. Now over 50 years later, we can thank Angela for this invention! Read Angela Farmer describe the story here.

"The yoga mat is more than a tool employed by the yogi. It is a metaphor. The yoga mat represents the space in which our minds might experience some relief from the stress-laden, chaotic, and unpredictable nature of daily life."

 - Colin Hall

So what to look for in a yoga mat? You really can't go wrong, and each of us is going to find our own favorites! If you would like to be eco-conscious, look for mats that are recycled rubber (Jade Mat) or bamboo.

 Here is a selection of mats I enjoy:

  • Hugger Mugger has a variety of mats for you to choose color, grip, and style.

  • Gathre Yoga Mat: It has to be my all-time favored mat for at home. Its design is stunning; it's cushioned, so my injured right knee gets the padding it needs, and its stickiness holds your hands and feet in place. No slipping like Angela Farmer! It is on the heavier side, so it can be difficult to transport it to and from yoga studios.

  • Jade Yoga Voyager Mat: If we ever get to traveling again, bring this mat. This mat has gone across the world with me for years and has held up so well. See the photo above for how loved my Jade is. It folds up so it can fit into your suitcase easily. It's only 1.5 lbs, so it doesn't put your bag over airline weight limits!

 
 

2. Yoga Blocks

Tencel Tie Tee / Hugger Mugger Block

The block can feel like the most accessible yoga prop to start using. Its benefit is that it brings the floor to you so that your body doesn't have to overstrain. The less strain we can add into our bodies, the easier it can invite a calming sensation into our practice.

How do you know when to add a block in? Watch your breath. If you move into a pose like an extended side-angle (pictured above) and your breath feels compressed, you know it's time to add the block in. Spend a moment to notive if your breath feels more comfortable once you add the block in. The easier the breath in a pose, the more your body and mind can benefit from the shape. 

Utilize all 3 levels of your yoga block! Simply turn the block to get the lowest level, mid-level, or highest level. 

When I shop for a yoga block, I look for two things in the product details or reviews. 

1. The wider the yoga block, the more stable it will be to support your weight. It definitely helps to not be distracted by your yoga block wobbling all over the place! I have blocks that are about 4" wide and love them. 

2. Look for the density vs. softness vs. materials. I've used cork/wood before, but I find the foam provides a nice give and softness. 

3. Bolster

Barely There Leggings / Hugger Mugger Bolster

I freaking love this prop. You can use it under your knees in savasana after any class to take the pressure off of your back. You can sit on it to take a forward fold if your back or hamstrings are tight.

You can lay back on a bolster to help reverse the posture of working at a desk.

I've taught classes with all different brands and styles of bolsters, so I'm going to share with you what to look for. 

  1. Density! You want a bolster that will hold your body, not collapse on you when you go to use it. I may be wholly biased so take it with a grain of salt, but Hugger Mugger makes one fine bolster!

  2. Since your bolster will be on the floor, I recommend looking for a color or pattern that will hide any lint that it picks up.

4. The Eye Bag

Tank in Mist / Hugger Mugger Peach Skin Eye Bag in Jade

Next time you feel tension or anxiety, get curious about what your eyes are doing. It's a very natural stress response in the body for your eyes to get large and the muscles around the eyes to tighten. Try adding an eye bag to your savasana to see if the gentle weight helps soothe the muscle strain. You may notice your optic nerves feel relieved with the eye bag's ability to block light out.

Want to know a little science behind your vagus nerve being activated through this prop? Here’s a short read from Yoga Direct.

Pro-Tip: If you end up holding a child's pose in a yin pose, you may notice that your nose might take a lot of pressure. If you tuck in an eye mask under your third eye center/forehead, you'll ease that pressure so you can rest into the pose. 

You can find many, many, many options for an eye bag. I don't really think you can go wrong! When purchasing this prop, I try to find something that has a washable cover.