lungepose-block

Using Blocks and Straps

Use props to make your yoga practice easier:  give yourself extra length where your body does not enable you, avoid injuries and keep your posture straight.
I always keep two blocks, a strap and a blanket close to my yoga corner so that I can grab them anytime during my practice.

Bound hands behind your back. Used in many different yoga poses. Simply as pictured it is a great shoulder opener and can be done practically anywhere.

 

Use a strap in Supta Padangustasana or Reclining Big Toe Pose to straighten your upper leg and to feeling a nice stretch in your hamstrings.

 

 

Strap in Seated Forward Bend (Pashimottasana) which is an active pose using your core and legs to stretch while keeping the back long.

You can use yoga block(s):

• to give you length or to help you with lacking flexibility
• under your buttock in meditations or longer sitting poses
• under your knee or hip in seated poses
• under your hands to help keeping your back longer and to help balancing
• under your back in between the shoulder blades to open the chest while laying on your back

You can place the block under under your knee in the head-to-knee pose (Janu Sirsasana) to give extra support.

Use block under your hand in Triangle pose (Trikonasana). This way your body easier adapts to correct alignement. You can place the block behind (pictured) or in front of the leg.

Use two blocks under your hands in Uttanasana, Standing Forward Bend, if you can’t reach the floor with straight knees.

Pictured Half Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana). Use in same way in Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana).

Use a block under your lower hand in Adrha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose.Avoid putting all weight on the block. Keep both legs strong and straight.

 

Use  blocks under both hands in Warrior III pose (Virabhadrasana III) to help balancing and keeping your back long and your standing leg straight. Keep your back leg parallel to the ground and flex your back foot.

 

To achieve an open chest and a long side body it is useful to place a block under the bottom hand in Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana).

Place a block under your buttock in Meditation or other seated poses to help you keep an effortless posture.

Happy Yoga !