A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga Props

The Use of Props in Yoga

It’s your first yoga class and you’re dressed in the perfect yoga apparel- a trendy yoga inspired t-shirt and comfortable stretchy workout pants. Dressed to stretch, you’re ready to start! While the rest of the class effortlessly bends down to the first asana (yoga pose) of the day, but the easy looking posture proves a lot harder than it seems and you discover that you are about as flexible as a carrot stick. No matter how hard you try it’s hard to get yoga posture perfect the first, second or even third time around. That’s where yoga props come handy..

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Yoga gear and yoga props like – a yoga mat, yoga strap, yoga blocks, yoga wedges or yoga bolsters are not fluff pieces or even a crutch to real yoga. Yoga Guru B.K.S. Iyengar first noticed that due to everyone’s unique body many yoga students weren’t achieving proper body alignment in each posture of Hatha Yoga. He acknowledged the physical limitations people had differed from person to person and one may find certain yoga poses easier than others. A new form of yoga was started by him with the use of certain props to provide the necessary boost to get the body into the right position, making poses more accessible to everyone. Props allow you to completely surrender to the pose and help better your body’s alignment so that you can hold the position longer. It also builds strength and allows yoga students to get a feel of the correct alignment so they can memorize it and attempt to try it without the prop. Contrary to popular belief, props are not only for beginners, but can be used by yoga students of all levels of experience to better their yoga form.

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Here’s a guide to some yoga gear and accessories that will help you get the most from your yoga exercises:

Yoga Mat: Most people know about and recognize yoga mat when they see one. An essential piece of yoga gear, yoga mats also known as sticky mats are the perfect surface for practicing yoga poses as it keeps your feet, hands and elbows from slipping. They also provides some padding for shock absorbency and enough to keep your knees and elbows protected from getting bruised on hard surfaces.

Yoga Blocks: These are essentially lightweight bricks made of materials like foam, cork, wood or even bamboo that can support an adults entire body weight. The foam blocks compress slightly when pressed making them preferable as they are comfortable in poses for which a hard block might otherwise dig in. Yoga blocks enable people to reach poses using the various heights of the block (usually 9 inches long by 6 inches wide or 3/4 inches high), they offer stability and help with posture. Using blocks under your hands or arms for certain poses lifts you higher off the ground, allowing you to execute the posture correctly without your hands touching the ground.

Yoga straps/ Yoga belts: One of the most useful props for beginners yoga straps are simple cloth, cotton or nylon straps with a clasp or buckle that loops the strap securely like a belt. Ranging in length from 6 to 9 feet, they are the most versatile yoga prop and can be used in a variety of ways and for a number of poses. Yoga straps or belts supply extra support, make stretching easier and help with proper alignment. A strap can be used as a connection from one hand to another or between a foot and hand to increase flexibility in order to reach and hold the pose that requires a little extra length.

Yoga bolsters: These are cylindrical, rectangular or round shaped firm cushions to provide support for postures. Especially used for meditation, rest and prenatal yoga postures bolsters provide effective support for difficult positions placed under the belly, back, hamstrings or chest.

Using props in yoga is a smart way of learning the correct postures and poses. They are not only beginners tools of yoga but can help anyone on those less limber days without compromising form or technique. So what are you waiting for? Get some yoga props for practice and perfect that form!

*Photo Credits: photos by apolaine, hint of plum, rachel a. k. on flickr

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Energize Your Body & Soul with these Different Types of Yoga

The term Yoga is commonly used to refer to the practice of physical postures or poses, which in reality is only a small part of the more complex ancient discipline that is – YOGA.

Yoga is a school of thought, originating from India  and includes physical, mental and spiritual practices to bring about a complete balance in a person for their well being. Over the years, a number of different types of yoga philosophies have developed, which  more stress on the physical, mental or spiritual aspects more than the others. Recently in the United States the most common style of Yoga adopted focuses purely on the physical benefits of yoga in the form of Power Yoga. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration, while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great. Whatever you are looking for, there is a Type of Yoga to suit your needs.

Here’s a look into the most popular types of Yoga-

Classic Yoga’s

Hatha Yoga
The most popular form of yoga in the western world. Hatha yoga is often practiced solely for its physical benefit. It uses asanas, which are the physical postures or poses of yoga. This 15th century form of yoga is believed to purify the physical body and bring strength in order to lead to the purification of the mind.

Along with Asanas (poses), Hatha yoga includes breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation and purification procedures known as ‘Shatkriyas‘. Hatha yoga is not just about stretching as many people mistake it for, it develops both strength and flexibility and each pose has specific physical benefits. Hatha Yoga with its many modern variations is the style that many people associate with the word “Yoga” today.

Ashtanga Yoga
Also known as Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga, is one of the earliest types of yoga. Started around 5000 BC, Ashtanga yoga follows an eight fold path formulated by Patanjali also known as the eight limbs of yoga mainly- Yama (moral code towards others); Niyama (personal discipline);
Asana (ashtanga yoga postures); Pranayama (yoga breathing); Prayahara (withdrawal of senses); Dharana (concentration); Dhyan (meditation); Samadhi (salvation).

As you see out of the the 8 limbs, only one involves the physical performance of yoga postures. Each of the limbs builds off each other in order, with an aim of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. The benefits of this yoga practice is more than just the physicality found in Hatha yoga, it applies to everyday aspects of life and is more of a complete way of living rather than a short practice.

Karma Yoga
Many people are familiar with the term Karma, but how many know that it’s a type of yoga. Karma or ‘discipline of action’ is the conscious practice of those actions that bring the most amounts of good and the least amount of evil as it is believed the result of that action will reciprocate yours. This discipline of yoga dates back to before 800 BC and is a spiritual path that dedicates actions to God.

Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on knowledge. Jnana Yoga includes knowing oneself that leads to self-realization, control of the senses, developing an indifference or detachment from objects, concentration, attainment of tranquility and ultimately bliss.

Pranayama Yoga
The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Pranayama is ‘restraint (ayama) of breath (prana)’. It is the practice of breath control and breathing techniques. Since air is considered the breath of life or vital force responsible for life, it’s control into the various parts of the body especially the mind is said to help attain higher states of awareness. On a scientific level pranayama techniques are believed to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, asthma and oxidative stress.

Swara Yoga
Swara yoga focuses on controlling and manipulating the flow of breath in the nostrils. The word swara means “the sound of one’s own breath” and this form of yoga involves studying the nostril’s breath flow at all times of the day and seasons. It uses Pranayama or ‘breath control’ exercises as a part of a more precise and extensive focus on nose breathing.

Modern Yoga’s

Iyengar Yoga
Developed by the living yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar (now age 91), this modern adaptation of Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga, uses props such as belts, cushions, blankets and blocks as aids in performing asanas (postures). This style of Yoga is said to promote strength, icrease flexibility, endurance, balance and stamina through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. Iyengar Yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga taught today.The poses are performed at a slow pace and are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga making it especially good if you’re recovering from an injury.

Power Yoga
The American interpretation of ashtanga yoga aimed at a physical workout is what has come to be known as Power Yoga. This fitness approach to yoga is a sweat-producing, muscle-building series of yoga asanas (poses) that flow into each other without the usual pauses between the poses practiced in traditional yoga. Power yoga is also breath-synchronized and the fluent movements from one pose to another create an almost aerobic workout feel. Power yoga’s popularity as a way to workout has made is a common option in the gyms of America.

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* Photo Credits: photos by lululemon athletica, myyogaonline, milopeng, apolaine on flickr

For the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness clothes and special Yoga Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com