If you’re new to yoga, it’s possible you went to a class or clicked on a video during your home practice and saw your yoga teacher with props. You wonder what they do, how to use them, and most importantly what are the best yoga props for beginners?
Even if you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, but are new to props, this guide will steer you the right direction so you can make your next yoga class the best one yet.
What Are Yoga Props?
Yoga props are objects designed to create more comfort and ease in your yoga practice. There’s a stigma that they’re only for beginners, but even long-term yogis use them.
Here are some ways yoga props improve your classes:
- Support balancing postures
- Improve spinal alignment
- Increase comfort
- Increase feelings of safety and grounding
- Provide support for inversions (Tip: this doesn’t always mean headstands. Even legs up the wall pose with a bolster under your hips counts as an inversion)
- Make poses more accessible for your anatomy
- Reduce risk of injury because you’re able to remain in your range of flexibility
How Many Props Will You Need?
Some people would argue the more props the merrier, and others say you don’t need any. It will ultimately boil down to you and your preferences. For now, you can explore the most common yoga props to see which ones sound like a good fit for you.
Here are the most common yoga props you’ll see in your classes:
- Yoga mat
- Yoga blocks
- Yoga bolster
- Blanket
- Straps
If I had to give you a list of the most essential yoga props that I recommend for beginners, it’s one yoga block and a mat. These are the only two props I used for about the first eight years of my personal practice. I welcome you to explore the DIY props blog post below if you want to explore props before purchasing.
Related Post: DIY Yoga Props – 17 Super Simple Ideas For Homemade Yoga Props
Yoga Props For Your Favorite Class Style
If you’re ready to buy your first props, I welcome you to identify the style of yoga that you’re doing before your purchase. Different yoga styles require different yoga props, and you may save yourself time and money by exploring this list.
I invite you to include a yoga mat for any style of yoga that you’re doing to prevent slipping or harming yourself. If a yoga mat isn’t accessible for you right now, then you may choose to stick with slower forms of yoga like restorative or yin.
Here are five yoga styles and the amount of recommended props:
- Vinyasa
- What to expect: Vinyasa is a flowing class, so you won’t use props as often. Because of its faster style, you might fumble with constantly moving blocks around, but they can support you during warm-ups, balances, and lunges. Straps may be used for certain balances or at the end or beginning of classes for stretching.
- Common props: Two blocks and one strap
- Hatha
- What to expect: Hatha is slower than vinyasa, so you have ample time to experiment with more props. Teachers include more props than vinyasa in these classes. You’ll hold poses for about four breaths each, so you can really customize your own practice.
- Common props: Two blocks, strap, bolster, blanket (one is usually fine).
- Yin Yoga
- What to expect: Yin is even slower than Hatha, holding poses for two minutes but often for much longer. This is because you stretch your connective tissues (not muscles like the ones above). Being comfortable is important in yin, because too much movement can prevent the practice from being effective for your flexibility. It’s very common, and usually expected, to see a yin yoga class with many props:
- Common props: 2 blocks, strap, bolster, blankets (may need anywhere from 1-2)
- Restorative Yoga
- What to expect: The slowest form of yoga, restorative yoga, aims to create ultimate relaxation. To do this, you can’t have any uncomfortable spaces between you and the floor. This means that yoga props are essential for this style class. You’ll hold poses for five to ten minutes, and sometimes longer.
- Common props: 2-3 blocks, strap, bolster, blankets (you may need four or more depending on the class), eye pillows
- Trauma-Informed Yoga
- What to expect: This isn’t a style of yoga, but a way of teaching the above common yoga styles. Because of this, I recommend you ask your teacher their preferred teaching style and if they commonly use props. Many teachers do so that you have the most comfortable experience. You won’t see any yoga straps in a trauma-informed practice because they’re commonly triggering for survivors.
- Common Props: 2 blocks, bolster, blankets (usually one but sometimes 2), any other props that bring you comfort like eye pillows, pictures, other objects that you wish to bring.
- Important Reminder: Since trauma-informed yoga focuses on loads of options, teachers will also include pose options if you don’t have any props available. This is to make the class accessible for all students, props in hand or not.
When in doubt for how many props you need, I welcome you to ask your yoga instructor. They should be able to give you recommendations based on your experience level and the class planned. If you practice online, many teachers announce what you’ll need beforehand or list it in the description.
Best Yoga Props For Beginners
Now that you know how many props you’ll need, I welcome you to join me as I explore the best props I’ve experienced. I’ve used each of these props in my personal practice and while teaching, or I provide the closest alternative to discontinued items I have.
Yoga Mat
What to look for:
- I recommend a thicker mat for beginner students because they have less slippage, are more comfortable to rest on, and can be used for a variety of yoga styles.
Yoga Blocks
Foam vs. Cork…Which to choose?
Blocks come in two popular styles: foam and cork. Here’s a simple breakdown of these two block styles to see which is best for you:
Cork is heavier but also sturdier than foam. If I were to go for comfort, I recommend foam. If you’re trying to hold balances, then I recommend cork.
For beginners, I recommend foam just because it’s more comfortable, easier to move around, and less of an investment. Something to keep in mind is that foam is more slippery, so if you have sweaty palms during practice, you may wish to explore cork yoga blocks.
What to look for:
- I recommend a sturdy block as a beginner. Blocks vary in thickness and I recommend the thicker versions.
Yoga Bolster
What to look for:
Bolsters support your body while seated or in lying positions. Comfort is key, and because they’re made from cloth and are essentially thick pillows, it’s beneficial to find a bolster where you can remove the covering to wash and reuse.
Yoga Strap
Please read: I don’t include yoga straps while teaching my trauma-informed yoga classes, but I use them for my personal practice.
What to look for: Straps need to be sturdy and comfortable. They’re not elastic like exercises bands, so the less stretch the better. I also recommend one that comes with a buckle to create a loop for easier use.
Yoga Blanket
What to look for: The best yoga blankets I’ve discovered and many teachers recommend are woven Mexican blankets. These provide enough cushion and thickness so that they won’t move once in place and are perfect if you have wool allergies. I recommend these blankets for creating more lift or for filling space, and to use your favorite cozy blanket for covering you in poses like savasana.
Best Yoga Brands For Beginners
I’m definitely a huge fan of Gaiam – I’ve had the same yoga mat for over ten years and it still looks brand new. They were the go-to for all of my first prop purchases. I’m not sponsored by them, but Gaiam is by far my number one recommendation to new yoga students who want a quality, accessible, and durable yoga prop.
If you’re looking for more environmentally friendly options, then I recommend Manduka (also not sponsored.) They’re pricier than Gaiam but you know you’re receiving your props from ethical practices and a focus on sustainability. Gaiam also has eco friendly props available, but I haven’t personally tried any of those products.
Overview
Beginner yoga props don’t need to be confusing – all you need is something sturdy and reliable. You and your props will do just fine as long as you use them properly. If you’re worried about finding the perfect prop, I welcome you to remember this:
Props don’t make a yoga practice: you do.
Thanks for joining me, and take care.
I welcome you to take your props to the next level with trauma-informed yoga classes
If you have brand new props but no classes to explore, I invite you to join my free, private library the Cozy Corner. I include classes with and without props to explore a wide variety of classes, meditations, and somatic exercises. I invite you to join me inside!
