Yoga Program focused on

using Yoga equipment

Carolina Linch
 Content

• The purpose and importance of using Yoga equipment

• Different Types of Yoga equipment and its characteristics
• Benefits of using Yoga equipment
• Various ways of working with Yoga equipment depending of
the Yoga session goal
• Strategy of using Yoga equipment for beginner’s class to advanced practitioners
• Breakdown: Yoga postures of how to use different Yoga equipment step-by-step
• Holistic Yoga practices, e.g Asana, Pranayama, Relaxation, Meditation, Mudra
• Methods of delivery
• Resources
 The purpose and importance of using Yoga
equipment
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced yogi,
having the proper equipment:

1. Support the body whilst work continuous in asana

2. Help to improve your alignment
3 Prevent injury or gives support for weak and
injuried áreas of the body.

4. Helps to modify difficult poses

5. Helps to breathe deeper and relax more
6. Quiets the mind

7. Help to the studet to became stronger, More

confidence in themself and to be independent
Different Types of Yoga equipment and its
characteristics
Yoga blocks Yoga straps Cushions or pillows

Yoga blocks are another necessity. The
material and size are important to
consider when selecting your blocks.
It is a great tool to adjust poses and
improve balance.
Straps can help with stretching poses.
Those with tight shoulders or hamstrings
will benefit the most from straps. Usually,
these straps are six to 10 feet long and
are used as an extension of your limbs
while holding certain poses.
Soft cushions can help keep you
comfortable during your yoga
practice. It’s important to have these
during therapeutic yoga experience
such as relief or healing.
 Benefits of using Yoga equipment

Props help practitioners of all levels to gain the sensitivity of a yoga pose while receiving the benefits and not
overdoing it. When we give ourselves a little support, our body can unfold gently into the pose. Force is only
met back with force, which is counterproductive in our practice. (and our life, see where I’m going here?)

Props can help practice asanas and pranayama more effectively, efficiently and at ease.

Using yoga props doesn’t mean you’re a cheater or that you are weak.

As asanas are more focused on taking away and undoing more so that in addition, yoga props can benefits
every students to go deep within that understanding.
Safe ways and various of using Yoga equipment
depending of the Yoga session goal
It must be considered:
1. The students to whom the class is
director, that is: age, yoga level,
condition, injuries, etc.
2. Define what style of Yoga will be
implementen in the class and what are
the asanas that will require the use of
equipment.
3. Having previously practiced the asanas
that we will teach in their different
variante with or without equipment.
4. Choose the right accessories
5. Make sure there are propone so the
whole class can use them at the
same time.
6. Explain the functions of each
accessories and the way we will use
it, how it can beneficial to your
body and practice of asanas.
Strategy of using Yoga equipment for
beginner’s to advanced practitioners

Each person has a body and a unique way of

understanding, therefore the practice will always
be personal. When we propose to use a prop,
people will feel in their body if it benefits them or
not, therefore it is important to emphasize that
they listen to their body.

For those who are just beginning, the props will be

a way to perfect their asanas and for those who
are at an advanced level, the props will make the
asana more complex, the stretching will be even
greater and they will continue advancing
in this journey.
Breakdown: Five yoga postures step-by-step 1
1. Begin in a Low Lunge Pose with your right foot forward and
Half Splits Pose (Ardha Hanumanasana) your left knee on the mat.

2. Shift your hips backwards, straightening your front leg whilst

keeping a micro bend, and bending your back leg.
3. Flex your right foot, engaging all five toes, and rest your
hands on the mat directly underneath your shoulders.
4. Engage the quadricep in your front leg, lengthen the torso,
and engage the abs.

Use blocks under your hands to help keep

the torso upright and the spine long.
Keep your hands directly under the
shoulders.
As flexibility increases, try walking your
hands down the extended leg toward the
feet.
 Breakdown: Five yoga postures step-by-step
Ardha Uttanasana (halfway lift)
1. Begin in Uttanasana (Standing
Forward Bend) with your feet either
together or hip-width distance apart.
Place your fingertips on the floor next to
your feet. You can also place your palms
to your shins with your fingers pointed
straight down if that helps you find more
length in your spine.
2. As you inhale, straighten your arms
and lift your chest away from your
thighs. Lengthen your spine and engage
your upper back muscles slightly.
3. Look slightly forward without
compressing your neck.
2
4. Keep your core strong and avoid
rounding your spine. You can bend
your knees if that helps you find
more length.
5. Place your hands on two blocks
positioned in front of your feet.
Press down slightly into the blocks
as you lift your chest and lengthen
your spine.
 Breakdown: Five yoga postures step-by-step 3
Balasana (Child’s Pose)
Step 1 Step 3
Kneel on the floor Place your forearms or
with your toes elbows on two yoga
together and your blocks for an arm and
knees hip-width chest stretch
apart. Rest your
palms on top of
your thighs.

Step 2
On an exhale,
lower your torso
between your
knees.
Breakdown: Five yoga postures step-by-step 4

Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) Once you lift the hips off the
ground, slide your props under
the lower back. Carefully land
Before you enter the your lower back onto the blocks
pose, line up one or or blankets and soften through
two yoga blocks the entire body.
within arm’s reach. If
you have no access
to yoga blocks, a
stack of blankets or
cushions will work as
well.
Breakdown: Five yoga postures step-by-step
Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana)
5
Sit on a blanket to lift
your hips and allow
for a more
comfortable sitting
position bringing
your back into
neutral position.
Stack left knee over
right.
Grab your strap and
use it to link your
hands together if
they do not reach
each other.
 General Concept of Holistic Yoga Practices
CENTERING
Helps to bring the client’s attention to the present moment, calm the mind, prepare the body for the
physical postures

ASANAS
Often the main focus on holistic yoga practice, and they are helps to stretch and strength the body,
improve flexibility and balance. It is important to warm up the body and prepare it for the posture, and
cool down the body after peak pose.

RELAXATION
Helps to release tension and stress from the body and mind. The most common relaxation technique is
Shavasana, often perform at the end of a session.

PRANAYAMA
Pranayama, the breath control makes our mind calm down, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve our
wellbeing. It is good to perform either before or after asana practices.

MEDITATION
Pranayama, the breath control makes our mind calm down, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve our
wellbeing. It is good to perform either before or after asana practices.
 Methods of delivery: Restorative Yoga

• Yoga style: Restorative Yoga

• Teaching: In restorative yoga the focus is on the release of mind- bod tension and
bringing the nervous system into a state of healing.
• Common props used during restorative yoga include:
yoga mat / yoga bolster / Yoga blocks / Yoga straps or belt
Pillows / Couch cushions / Firm blankets
• Instructional styles: During the class students will be staying in a postures for 5-20min
to bring the body into a deep state of relaxation through long poses and it will be used
a lot of props to completely support the body.
• Restorative yoga is also best for Meditation and creating a sense of safety in the mind
and body, Stress release, Deep relaxation, Reaching at state of mindful rest
• Client Target: for all levels of students, from total beginners to experienced
practitioners to athletes and seniors or even people with injuries and movement
limitations!
I’ll leave you with a beautiful quote

“We work very hard in our lives, and while we may sleep, we rarely
take time to relax. Restorative yoga poses help us learn to rest
deeply and completely.”

Deep peace of the running wave to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
~ A Celtic Blessing
 Resources

https://www.self.com/story/reasons-you-should-use-props-in-yoga

Tools of the Trade: How Yoga Props can Benefit your Practice

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/01/the-why-what-how-behind-yoga-props/
https://www.doyou.com/4-reasons-why-you-should-use-yoga-props/

What are yoga Props, and how to improvise them from home practice

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-yoga-props-eka-pada-rajakapotasana-attractive-smiling-
young-beginning-student-white-sportswear-sitting-variation-one-image57183621
https://www.yogiapproved.com/yoga-poses-2/restorative-poses-relaxation/
https://www.yogabycandace.com/blog/2013/10/28/how-to-use-yoga-blocks

Understanding Props – How to use the Yoga Chair

The Ultimate Guide to Yoga Props