admin Practices like Restorative yoga and Rope wall yoga are completely centered on the use of props. From straps to blocks to bolsters and even walls, props can be an excellent way to create more space and stability in your yoga practice. Props are great teaching tools that can also help students understand and access postures they might not otherwise be able to without them.
These are three intermediate postures, which require a lot of flexibility or strength. However, with the help of props, you can make it accessible to any yogi.
Natarajasana, or King Dancer Pose
King Dancer’s Pose requires a deep backbend. It also demands a lot of space from the hip flexors and quadriceps. The standing leg must also be strong to maintain balance and stability. It can be difficult for many yogis to reach the back foot with their arm, no matter how high the thigh is lifted.
Straps can be used to help bridge the gap between the hand and the foot. They also allow students to open their front body while strengthening the core and shoulders to maintain balance and hold the strap.
Wrap the strap around your ankle or arch.
You can bend your leg, pull your foot towards you, and then place the slack strap over your shoulder.
Hold the strap slack in one hand and walk your hand towards the raised foot until the strap becomes taut.
Wrap the outer shoulder inward, extend the elbow, and draw the back.
You can apply the same step on both shoulders if you feel stable.
To decompress your lumbar spine, draw the navel back and lengthen the tailbone.
Visvamitrasana, or Visvamitras Pose
This epic pose, dedicated to Visvamitra the Sage, requires core strength, as well as shoulder and leg flexibility. This is one of the more complex poses to practice. It’s a combination of an arm balance and twist, as well as a hip-opener and hamstring lengthener.
It is not impossible to perform despite its complexity. Modifying Ardha Visvamitrasana and using a strap and a block can make this challenging pose accessible to any yogi.
Face the front of the yoga mat and come into a Low Lunge. The right foot should be forward, and the leg to the back.
Turn the left leg at a 90-degree angle so that the left foot is slightly above the yoga mat and perpendicular to the right leg. Tuck your toes in.
Place the block inside the right foot and press your right hand firmly into the league.
Holding the loose end of the strap in your left hand, create a loop and wrap the strap around the sole of your right foot.
To activate the right leg, press the inner right thigh and right arm firmly against each other.
Open the chest by rotating the left elbow up and upwards.
Lolasana or Pendant Pose
Lolasana, which is translated as Pendant Pose, can seem to require the strength of a Viking. It is one of the easier arm balances to do, even though it requires a certain amount of core and arm strength. You can access your shoulder power by using blocks to bring the floor closer. This could be the difference between being able to lift your feet and not.
Start in Vajrasana or Thunderbolt Pose, with two blocks on either side of your legs (play with the height to find what feels right).
You can also do the Cat Pose by circling your back and pressing your hands firmly into the blocks.
Hold your knees towards your chest and keep your feet flat on the ground. You can also cross your ankles if that helps. Hold for five to ten breaths.
Then, repeat the previous step and pull the heels toward the buttocks to help the hamstrings lift your feet.
It would be best if you pressed your hands into the blocks firmly to spread out the shoulder blades away from the spine. Also, you can hug the upper arm bones together to increase arm strength.
Yoga props can help you to achieve intermediate poses. When you know how to safely and effectively use yoga props, you can perform postures that you previously thought were impossible. You can use anything as a prop when you are creative in your Yoga practice. A towel or belt could replace a strap.
Props and their endless possibilities can transform your yoga practice. They are especially useful for achieving advanced and intermediate postures. Be creative, and keep a strap and block handy for the next time you get on your mat.
