12 at-home yoga props you should use

You’ve finally set aside the time and floor space to roll out your mat at home so you can practice with the YouTube video you’ve bookmarked for weeks. But then, through your laptop, the teacher says the words that extinguish any initial flicker of relaxation: “Hold on a few blocks.” Or maybe “use a belt.”

Even though you have been practicing yoga for years, you don’t have any yoga tools at home.

Yes, you can use a stack of books or a towel instead of blocks or a belt. But waking up breaks the yoga bubble you’ve worked so hard to create. Not to mention, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll get distracted by anything from pinging your laptop to the sound of the ice cream truck and forget to get back on the carpet.

In such moments, there are likely a dozen or more items on hand that can double as supportive yoga props—but you haven’t noticed their potential to provide training. yet.

12 Random Yoga Props at Home You Should Use

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and we are the ones working at it Yoga magazine You always find this to be true. Here are the not-so-obvious home yoga tools we’ve reached for in desperate moments — only to find ourselves using them over and over again.

1. Grocery bags

Whether reusable or plastic, shopping bags can easily replace a belt or belt. Twist one into a rope to wrap around your leg extending from knee to chest. Or literally insert your foot into the bag and hold on to the straps while stretching your hamstrings.

2. Exercise is good

An excellent alternative to a belt or girdle, the bra you’re planning to retire (with frayed elastic) works great.

3. Backpack

Purses, luggage pieces, and backpacks are greatly underrated as at-home yoga tools. Place one under the hip of your bent leg pigeon Or under each of your knees Restricted angle position. When using backpacks or bags in symmetrical positions, just make sure they are roughly the same size so they are more balanced on each side.

4. Kitchen table

Rest your entire upper body on a sturdy kitchen table Standing forward bend? If not, you are missing out. It allows for less intense stretching, plus you’ll gain a new appreciation for your furniture.

5. Dirty laundry

Sounds gross but hear us out! The pile of clothes you discarded on the floor really comes in handy when you want to keep your knees bent Wide-legged forward bend. Simply place as many pieces of clothing as you can in the places where you need support.

6. Books

One common option you’ll hear yoga teachers recommend instead of blocks are books, either individually or in combination. one Reddit user mentions They tie up their book sets to keep them in place while they practice.

7. Blues

Think of a sweatshirt as a foldable pillow to sit on, an ottoman to use as support, or a strap to extend your reach. Sweatpants work the same way!

8. Water bottle

A sturdy water bottle can replace a block when you need a little elevation, such as in Warrior 3 or Half moon). A heavy duty Stanley bottle or similar stainless steel bottle may be more durable. And if it flips over, at least you’re the only one who’ll be exposed to the sound of it hitting the ground.

9. Pillows or pillows

Throw your sofa cushion or bed pillow on the floor when trying Crow pose If you don’t have a block put it under your forehead. You can also rely on it as a temporary support under your body Reclined restricted angle position.

10. Strong cardboard box

Preparing for a restorative pose? Prop a pillow or ottoman over that perfectly good box you can’t bear to throw away. Or use it as a block in any position.

11. Coffee table

Come to a copy of Legs up the wall With your knees bent and your legs relaxed on the coffee table. (An ottoman also works well!) It’s very supportive and restorative for your lower back.

12. A lovable dog

some Dogs love to lie on a yoga matIt simply won’t budge no matter what you do, and will willingly serve as support under your knees Savasana. Other dojos, not so much. It’s up to the puppy.