Yoga props are like dentistry equipment

Here’s an analogy to help explain why consciously choosing and using props is an advanced yoga skill.

I went to the dentist on Wednesday, to have a crown fitted. The dental props I make regular use of are toothpaste, brush, floss, mouthwash. Sometimes I take things more seriously and use those interdental brushes too.

Unsurprisingly, the dentist used a wider range of equipment, much of which was carefully chosen by size/density/shape etc to suit the specific content of the job in hand. These choices made the experience more comfortable for both of us and they will help the crown to be a sustainable, long-term solution.

I think that confident, conscious use of a wide range of props is the same in yoga. And that doesn’t just mean ‘blocks’ or ‘a blanket’. It means knowing when to put your blocks on a different height setting or to stack two of them together. If you’re lucky enough to have different types of blocks, it means knowing when to go for foam/cork/wood. It means judging when you need to fold the blanket again, or use it to make a ‘nest’ for a knee or ankle, or use a whole pile of blankets so that you’re sitting high enough up from the ground. And those decisions need to be about what helps you to have a comfortable experience with long-term, sustainable benefits.

Be more like a good dentist. Practise using props, and choosing them specifically for comfort and long-term benefit. And also brush your teeth twice a day.

Want to learn more about props? This post includes pictures and commentary to see the ways that we most frequently use props in our group classes.