You know that moment when you're about to nail Half Moon Pose—and then you topple over onto your mat? It might be because you simply lost your balance for a second—but it could also be because you needed a yoga prop.
We know what you're thinking: 'Using a prop is cheating.' But that's not actually the case, says TaraMarie Perri, owner and director of the Perri Institute for Mind and Body. In fact, busting out a prop is the safest way to teach your body to achieve proper alignment in any pose, she says. Props free you up to master tougher poses (ahem: Half Moon Pose) and allow you to stretch a little deeper and reach a little farther in the poses you can already do confidently. Even the most advanced yogis can use props to fine-tune their practice, says Perri. Here, she gives the D.L. on four common yoga props:
BLOCK
Try it if: You have trouble reaching the floor
What it does: Brings the floor up to you
How to use it: If you struggle to reach the ground during standing poses like Half Moon Pose or Triangle Pose, place one block under your hand so you can deepen into a stretch you otherwise wouldn't be able to achieve. The beauty of a block is that you can adjust its height by placing it on its short or long ends, depending on how your body feels that day, says Perri. So if you always work with a block at a certain height, challenge yourself by turning it on its side to make it lower.
What to look for: Cork blocks. They last longer than foam ones, and are heavy enough to support your bodyweight.
BLANKET
Try it if: You have sensitive bones or joints
What it does: Cushions bony parts of the body
How to use it: Place a blanket under your pelvis during lying backbends such as Upward Facing Dog, or under your knee in Crescent Lunge. You can adjust the amount of padding by folding the blanket into smaller rectangles. A blanket is also great for restorative postures because it allows you to fully relax into a posture. Try resting your knees on two rolled blankets in Reclining Bound Angle pose—you won't have to use any physical effort to keep your legs in position.
What to look for: Woven blankets made of cotton or wool—they're soft and easy to fold.
STRAP
Try it if: You have trouble bringing your hand to your foot.
What it does: Makes up for the distance between two limbs
How to use it: Place the strap under your toes in Standing Forward Bend, and hold onto both ends of the strap. If you have trouble getting your hands to meet in shoulder-binding postures such as Bound Side-Angle Pose, hold onto a strap to compensate for the space between your hands, says Perri. Experiment by using different lengths of strap each time to vary the intensities of the bind.
What to look for: Cotton straps that have a buckle so you can easily make a loop.
WEDGE
Try it if: Your wrists get sore during weight-bearing postures or you have a wrist injury.
What it does: Relieves pressure on joints
How to use it: When practicing weight-bearing postures such as Crow or Downward Facing Dog, place a wedge across the front of your mat to elevate your wrists. "Wedges are a great way to safely learn how to bear weight on your wrists," says Perri; when you use one, the angle of your wrist crease won't be as deep, so you can stay in a posture longer and without pain.
What to look for: Perri prefers cork wedges because they’re durable and sustainable. Some people might like foam wedges better, though, because they’re softer, she says. Either way, find one that is the same width as your mat.
More from Women's Health:
4 Say-What? Things Your Yoga Instructor Says (And What They Really Mean)
7 Common Beginner Yoga Fails (and How to Avoid Them)
3 Yoga Poses You're Probably Doing Wrong
Powered by WPeMatico
No comments:
Post a Comment