Giving Props to "Props"

Eleven or so years ago I stepped into a yoga class and quickly fell in love with this new physical activity. I was amazed how my body felt after class, and how I started becoming a better runner as my yoga practice progressed. Back in "those days" when I started yoga, the gyms and or studios were pretty simple, and the only "prop" I had in class was my yoga mat. Now, there may have been more advanced studios around the world, but in the small studios and gyms I was practicing, this was what I found. I never knew there was a world of Props that would help teach my body proper alignment. As the years passed more props began to surface in the various studios where I would practice. First came the blankets, folded haphazardly, and providing a source of confusion for me because no one ever explained their purpose. I often wondered why people sat on blankets and assumed it was because people thought people in India who were super wise and in touch with meditation were using them. It was not until I attended teacher training that I learned how useful blankets can be in your yoga! After struggling to learn how to properly fold the blanket,I realized when my hips were elevated as I sat on the edge of the blanket, my knees would drop allowing my hips to open. This created more space in my body and from there I was able to achieve more length in my torso. If you have never tried sitting up on blankets, stack two blankets and sit on the edge so you are not slumping backwards. Notice how your body elongates and even try some seated forward folds with your legs extended in front of you! Such a simple prop that is useful in so many ways, and many people remain clueless as to why you often find yourself seated on blankets when you begin a yoga class. Other props that I have found popular in studios are blocks. bolsters, and straps. These are both props that I use every time I practice, especially now that I am pregnant. The blocks help students who may not have the ability to reach the floor with their hands by giving them a raised surface so the alignment is not compromised by lack of flexibility. What I have found most significant is the feedback from the blocks. The blocks can teach our bodies how to avoid slipping out of alignment because our bodies tend to easily bend where we are already stretchy and flexible. When this happens we are not truly in the pose, and we are allowing ourselves to do what is easiest for our bodies. The block will often provide students with a wake up call, that alignment feels different than how they were experiencing the pose prior to using the block. We begin to understand where we can take our bodies and we build strength in those areas instead of allowing our bigger muscles to take over and pull us out of alignment. Bolsters are another prop that provide feedback and many times are used in restorative and prenatal yoga classes. Supported Supta Baddha Konasana is a wonderful pose when you are supported by a bolster, and relaxation seems to overcome any stress I am experiencing when I am in this pose. When a student is struggling to complete a seated forward fold without rounding his or her back, a strap becomes very useful! The student's posture changes completely as he or she lifts through the breastbone, folding forward instead of down. All three of these props are fabulous and I am always looking for new ways to incorporate props into my own practice and the classes I teach. As wonderful as I have found all of these props, it has come to my attention that yoga studios are quickly filling up with an even larger variety of props, some of which are unrecognizable. Creating studios that look more like a torture chamber than a place to achieve some peace! In the larger, more well known studios, you will find many classes beyond the usual yoga names you may be familiar with. I recently went to a studio that has ropes along one side of the room, attached to wall. Now that I am only taking pre-natal yoga classes, I did not think I would be using this prop until after my pregnancy. However, in a pre-natal class, I found myself suspended from these ropes! The teacher had us step into the ropes so one rope was looped around each of our thighs, and then we began to lean forward with our hands on chairs. As the rope was digging into my thighs, I looked at the girl next to me and said, "if my husband knew that his pregnant wife was suspended from a rope in yoga class, he would have a heart attack!" We both started laughing and I adjusted myself as I began to ignore the teacher's instructions to allow all of our weight to be held by the ropes. Sometimes, it is best to stop listening to the teacher and instead hear your own instincts telling you something may not be the best idea. While I am a supporter of props in a yoga class, I found the rope class slightly misplaced in this room full of pregnant women who were very confused with the rope work and not well supported by the chairs they were leanings towards. Pregnant women may not have their usual balance because of the shift in their weight and ligaments may be stretching more than usual because of the hormone, relaxin, allowing for a deeper stretch, so I was very surprised this prop was used in this manner for pre-natal yoga. As I have thought about this class, I have had to consider recent controversial articles about yoga causing injuries and not being safe. I think it's important to reiterate the idea that when we sign up for a physical activity, we have some responsibility to ourselves to stay safe. Now, no one was hurt in this pre-natal yoga class that included rope suspension, and I am speaking strictly from my personal discomfort with the ropes; however, while I was able to quietly laugh and stop practicing this pose, many students will stay in a pose that may be causing pain or a feeling that they may become injured. Students may think a yoga teacher has all of the answers and would never have them in a pose that could be dangerous, but unfortunately, yoga teachers are human as well and it's difficult in a class environment to make sure every person is in every pose in a safe manner. Furthermore, what sounds like a creative idea when you are planning a class, may not be so brilliant when put to action. So, the next time you are in class and do not understand why you are using a prop or if you feel at all uncomfortable, simply come out of the pose or ask the teacher for more instruction. You do not want to miss out on the many benefits of using props, but you want to keep yourself injury free as you explore this exciting world that will absolutely enhance and expand your practice!