How to use props to support your yin yoga practice
Whilst it might be awkward and fiddly to try to incorporate props into a vinyasa flow, there are certain styles of yoga, ranging from Iyengar to Restorative, that actively encourage the use of props to support and enhance our practice. Yin yoga is in the prop camp. Whilst it is certainly possible to do a yin practice without any props, their utilisation can greatly assist us in releasing muscle activation in many poses, enabling us to relax the body and stress the deeper connective tissue and joints. Here we will explore the most useful props for yin yoga and the ways in which they can be used.
Bolsters
A yoga bolster is a versatile prop that allows us to feel deeply supported and comfortable in a pose. Bolsters are either rectangular or cylindrical in shape and are often available in smaller sizes as well as the larger standard sizes, which can double up as mediation cushions, provide support under the sit bones in seated postures or under the head when supine. The standard bolsters can be placed to support the body in a variety of ways to alleviate strain and promote deep relaxation. Try placing one under the knees in Savasana, under the head in seated forwards folds such as Dragonfly or under the spine to gently open the chest and shoulders in a reclined heart opener. It can also be used as a softer alternative to bricks in Supported Bridge. The right bolster will depend on your intention for your practice, personal preference and individual comfort.
Bricks
Yoga bricks provide stability and sturdy support in many Yin poses, ranging from Butterfly and Sphinx to Camel and Supported Bridge. Again, they come in different sizes and can be used at various heights when placed under certain parts of the body. Bricks can be helpful under the knees in seated forward folds such as Butterfly or Caterpillar, to support the head in poses such as Sphinx, stacked under the sacrum in Supported Bridge depending on the desired depth of your backbend, or perhaps placed with one in between the shoulder blades and another under the base of the skull in reclined chest openers (as a less cumbersome alternative to a bolster). Experiment and be creative with different formations to find the best ways bricks can support you in your practice.
Blankets
Blankets are one of the most useful and versatile props in a yin practice. They offer warmth and comfort during Savasana, provide elevation under the hips in seated poses and can be used very effectively to support the knees in poses such as Dragon and Sleeping Swan. They can also be placed under the head and neck in supine poses and even between the calves and thighs during Child’s Pose. Blankets can be folded, rolled and stacked to replace just about any other prop, so if there’s one prop that you have to hand during a Yin practice, make it a blanket.
Eye pillow
An eye pillow is a small, soft cushion filled with flaxseeds or scented herbs such as lavender.. It is placed gently over the eyes during relaxation poses, helping to block out external stimuli and induce a deeper state of relaxation. The gentle pressure from the eye pillow also stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting a sense of calm and relieving tension. Using an eye pillow during Yin yoga helps to create a serene environment, allowing you to melt into a profound inner experience.
Incorporating props into your Yin yoga practice can enhance our overall experience by promoting relaxation, providing support, and allowing us to sink deeper into the stretches. It’s all about experimenting to discover which props suit our unique bodies in each pose, enabling us to access stillness and surrender with comfort and ease.