| For Yoga teachers the value of props as a tool for | | | | Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Chair Yoga, and |
| alignment is priceless. Yet it is amazing when a Yoga | | | | many more Hatha sub-styles. To be honest, the Yoga |
| teacher has a negative view of props and the | | | | mat is a prop. It was not that long ago when Yogis did |
| students who use them. Every once in a while you get | | | | not use Yoga mats. Why reject progress being made |
| to hear contrasting views, but below I have listed a | | | | by some of the most innovative minds in modern day |
| few quotes that no one wants to take credit for. | | | | Yoga? |
| "There are no props in my style, in my classes, or in | | | | One mistake that most Yoga students and Yoga |
| my town. My Yoga teacher says props are a crutch | | | | teachers make is thinking of postures as beginner, |
| and there is no reason to make them available to | | | | intermediate, and advanced. Each body is unique and |
| students." | | | | will be exceptional in some ways and less exceptional |
| This is a closed minded view, if I ever heard one. What | | | | in others. We should stop focusing on the next |
| about the student who cannot bring his, or her, spine in | | | | "advanced posture" and think about the alignment of |
| a straight line when practicing Triangle posture? One | | | | the Yoga posture we are in at the present moment. |
| block, placed in the correct location, will change the | | | | Proper alignment should never be compromised for |
| alignment of the entire body. | | | | the sake of the ego. When you know that a blanket, |
| A wall might also make a major difference to some | | | | bolster, ball, strap, block, chair, wall, or another prop |
| Yoga students. So why not adjust a student into a | | | | would help a student's alignment; using a prop is a "no |
| better alignment so she or he can hold the position | | | | brainer." |
| longer? This will build strength and the Yoga student | | | | Yoga teachers should make props available, but also |
| will actually memorize correct alignment by feeling it. | | | | be prepared to improvise. Most Yoga teachers do not |
| "Yoga props are fluff. These people are not really | | | | have every prop available in their studio. This is not a |
| practicing Yoga." | | | | problem, and it will teach you to be creative. One of |
| This one comment "takes the cake." My answer to | | | | our Yoga teachers shows her students how to use |
| this person was that she should seek a Yoga teacher | | | | the kitchen counter, the bottom steps of a stair case, |
| who shared her lack of tolerance. Since Yoga | | | | and towels as props for Yoga practice at home. |
| encompasses many things; who should say what "real | | | | There is no limit to what can be used for a Yoga prop. |
| Yoga" is, or is not? | | | | Our true potential, as Yoga teachers, is only limited by |
| Props are used by Yoga teachers from many styles | | | | our thinking. |
| of Hatha Yoga such as Iyengar Yoga, Tri Yoga, | | | | |