5 Must-Have Yoga Props for Your Practice

When it comes to yoga props, there’s a widespread belief that using these tools is some sort of yogi ‘cheating’. Of course, this, along with other yoga prop myths, is just that: A myth. 

The truth is, using yoga props and tools can actually help deepen your practice, increase your flexibility, and make certain postures more accessible. Not only are these tools not facilitating ‘cheating’ but they can actually help you take the difficulty of your practice up a notch. 

Unfortunately, with so many yoga products on the market, it can be difficult to discern which ones are actually helpful and what you can go without. This can lead to an expensive collection of props gathering dust in the corner due to inconvenience, lack of understanding, or even poor construction.

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of just 5 props that will help you take your practice to the next level. Follow along to learn the must-have yoga props you need and how to use each of them effectively. 

1. Yoga Mat

First and foremost, every yogi needs a high-quality, non-slip yoga mat. No matter where or what you practice, having a yoga mat of your own comes with a long list of worthy benefits. 

Your yoga mat will provide a comfortable landing pad for joints during those restorative and yin classes and ensure enough grip to take those balance poses to new heights. Not only will you be more equipped for class, but you’ll also have the ability to take your practice with you wherever you go.

Beyond the functional benefits of a yoga mat, this prop is a great opportunity to show off your style and values. Choosing natural, eco yoga mats helps you take your environmental and ethical values with you to your practice in the most sustainable way possible. 

Whether you go for the natural jute fibres of our grounded yoga mats or opt for the hygienic closed-cell top layer of our studio range, you can rest assured knowing you won’t be interacting with any harmful toxins during your practice. 

2. Yoga Blocks

Yoga blocks take the most slack when it comes to those ‘cheating’ myths, however, using blocks can be one of the best ways to honour your body. 

The fact is, most of us aren’t actually built to bend in half like a noodle. This doesn’t mean you are ‘bad’ at yoga or even ‘doing it wrong’. While flexibility does play a part in some poses, our bone structure, joints, and even energy make each of us unique. 

Reaching for a yoga block should never make you feel like you aren’t doing an awesome job. This particular prop is actually incredibly helpful for ensuring your alignment is correct and preventing injury. 

Beyond this, yoga blocks can actually be used to increase flexibility! Using blocks to ease yourself into your splits or even extend your reach in your seated bends. 

For longevity and eco-friendly principles, choose sustainable cork yoga blocks and start supporting your body the way it deserves. 

3. Yoga Strap

The yoga strap has a similar purpose to a yoga block but is used in different applications. Most commonly, you’ll see a strap being used to foster flexibility in the shoulders and hamstrings. 

The strap provides a supportive resistance that you can adjust to increase or reduce the intensity of a stretch. This can be incredibly helpful for yogi’s looking to extend their muscles and start working towards those more flexible postures such as splits or king dancer. 

A strap can also be a great tool for yogis with injuries or tight areas that need a little extra support. Instead of stressing the joints and forcing the body into poses it’s not ready for, the strap can allow for a reduced range of motion while you improve.

This makes trying out new poses and practising the movements more accessible and allows you to experience the benefits of each asana without the danger of injury.  

4. Eye Pillow

The next eco yoga prop to add to your collection is for your precious savasana. If you’re like us, you crave this powerful meditation at the end of your practice. However, slipping into this peaceful place can be a challenge when our minds are full and busy. 

While we can’t expect to have the same savasana experience every practice, there are steps you can take to establish more of a mind-body connection when heading into this meditation.

Using an eye pillow is a simple and comfortable way to help your body ease into that restful state more consistently. Simply place the gently weighted pillow over your eyelids and send the message to your brain that it’s time to rest. 

Before long, your body will begin to associate this gentle pressure with relaxation and automatically slide into that cozy, peaceful place. 

Of course, since this prop will be resting on your skin and eyes, choosing an organic, non-toxic material is essential. Your eye cushion should have a removable outer layer for easy washing to ensure no bacterias built up on your beautiful skin. 

For an extra element of relaxation, our eye pillows are crafted with Australian grown linseed and lavender to have you calm and centred in no time.  

5. Bolster 

Bolsters are the perfect partner for those nourishing Yin Yoga classes but there are actually many other ways you can use this soft prop to enhance your practice.

This prop offers a supportive surface to melt into while you let go of any muscle tension, emotions, and busy thoughts. 

If you are attending a Yin class at a studio, many studios have bolsters you can borrow, however, owning your own brings a level of familiarity and comfort to your practice. As a bonus, you’ll be able to soak in the supportive benefits of a Yin practice right from the comfort of your home.

Open up your heart after a long day with a reclined butterfly over your bolster or snuggle into an assisted child’s pose to respect and honour your body. 

Place your bolster under your knees for savasana and pair your routine with your eye mask to develop a routine and environment that helps you sink further and further into surrender each practice. 

Eco Yoga Props in Australia

Now that you know how each of these 5 must-have yoga props works, you can set off to source the best eco-friendly props for your practice. From production to packaging, you can rest assured knowing that our yoga props are created with high ethical and environmental standards. 

Ready to get started with your eco yoga props in Australia? Shop our selection of mats and accessories today and feel the Create Flow difference.