Yoga props are one of the best ways to support your body in going deeper into each asana, or posture. They stabilize, bring the ground up to you, create a stronger bind, allow the body to release tension, create more heat for burning calories, align bones, more flexibility, soften the mind into balance, help reorganize optimal energy flow and the list goes on.
Below are yoga props and fitness accessories I use for The Heart and Soul Method. It’s best to use eco friendly, organic, natural products to help our planet whenever possible. Also included in this blog are the brands I use or recommend.
Blocks: Blocks are rectangular. They have 3 different heights. Some are made of cork, natural woods, styrofoam and rubber. I tend to stick with cork or natural woods with a little weight to them. I use them mostly under my hand(s) if I can’t touch the floor, squeeze between my thighs to contract muscles, sculpting the thighs and buttocks, and to prop up the forearms in Fitness Fusion Technique which helps in toning and tightening. Yoga blocks are multifaceted, indispensable ways to allow you to get the most out of your work out.
Straps: Yoga straps help you to move deeper into flexibility. If there is a bind you just can’t quite get such as linking your hands or grabbing your foot, the strap is the bridge so that you can still do the posture. By using the strap, you still get the tension in the muscles with the flexibility in letting go. Straps are, in a way, extending your arms. It’s imperative, however, that a micro bend in the elbow of your arm is there while using the strap or else you can run the risk of hyper-extension which puts too much stress on your joints. Hyper-extension doesn’t allow you to have skin in the game to build meaningful muscle for short term as well as long term that will create more ease and flow. Too much locking with hyper-extension is not healthy.
Bolsters: Bolsters are primarily used, like blocks, to bring the ground up to you, however they differ in the fact that they are larger, wider, softer, and oblong. Bolsters are like harder pillows used mostly in Restorative classes to create softening in your body. The support they provide give a signal to those areas of the body that it is okay to relax and open more into flexibility.
Yoga Blankets: Are the coziest. They are best used folded up width length to use similar as a block, but for more joint support. I also use them at the end of Shavasana to keep warm or over my shoulders in meditation.
Ankle Weights: I use 1.5lb ankle weights occasionally in class to help dissolve too many positive ions. It helps with grounding, anchoring, and downward energy flow towards the feet. Students can use them as they feel they need to, but I feel 1-2 classes a week is enough if you are doing 3-5 classes a week. See how you feel with them. The Bala Bangles are great or any 1-2lb ankle weight. Please do NOT use them on your wrists. Holding weights overhead is not good for long periods of time. Make sure to take ankle weights off during dance movement, upside down inversions like headstands, forearm stands where the feet are over the head. Also take them off for shavasana/meditation/breathwork.
Yoga Mats: I use EKO Manduka mats because of their recycled materials and the amazing feel/grip they have. If your joints need extra padding the 5mm option is best. They also have thinner mats as well in a variety of colors. Look for the EKO in the name. Jade mats are also comparable.
In the launch of The Heart and Soul Method App with Fitbudd on Google and Apple platforms, coming this July, you will be able to take Intermediate Classes (beginners can do intermediate for now, it will just be a bit more challenging, but you will get better. Sometimes it’s better just to be thrown in and then to adapt.) A new Basics class will be available as we go through out the season. I am talking of course of the physical practice of this method, not the spiritual growth. Spiritual growth just happens naturally with Heart and Soul Method at a safe pace. This is not a Spiritual Exercise Method. This is a physical exercise method that does and can yield other benefits.
The yoga props and fitness accessories are there to help you in sculpting into alignment which promotes weight-loss. I want you to know how to use them before starting your online or private session classes. Of course you will learn as you go in seeing how I use them in class as well.