Hour 130 Yoga Therapy – Using Props and Equipment in Yoga Therapy Sessions

Using Props and Equipment in Yoga Therapy Sessions

Props and equipment are vital tools in yoga therapy that enable and augment the therapeutic effects of asanas. Through the provision of support, stability, and comfort, props enable yoga students to adapt poses and adjust practices to address clients’ unique needs, particularly those with injuries, physical limitations, or particular therapeutic objectives. Props can further assist in enhancing the stretch, correcting alignment, and allowing clients to maintain longer holds. In this chapter, we discuss the different props and equipment utilized in yoga therapy sessions and how they can be incorporated into a customized practice.

The Importance of Props in Yoga Therapy

Props are implements that help in the performance of asanas with correct alignment, stability, and support. They are utilized to help in accessibility, provide greater comfort, and facilitate a feeling of ease in practice. Props are not just beneficial for students who are new to the practice but are also useful for expert practitioners since they can provide support for further investigation of postures. Perhaps most significant is that props provide yoga therapists with the ability to adapt a session to address a client’s individual physical or therapeutic requirement.

Common Yoga Props and Their Usage

Yoga Blocks

Yoga blocks are a very versatile prop used in yoga therapy. They can be made of foam, cork, or wood and range in size. Blocks assist clients in maintaining correct alignment and reforming poses to make them more accessible.

Example Asana: Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)

In Trikonasana, when a client cannot extend to the floor, a block may be put under the bottom hand so that the floor is within reach and support is provided to the stretch. The block also provides support so that the spine will not have to twist beyond its neutral position, thus minimizing strain on the back and shoulders.

Example Asana: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

A block may be positioned under the hands to give extra support and stop too much pressure on the shoulders or wrists, particularly for clients experiencing pain in the wrists or tight shoulders.

Yoga Straps

Yoga straps, which are usually cotton or nylon, are employed to lengthen the arms and legs in some asanas. They are particularly helpful for clients who have limited flexibility or range of motion.

Example Asana: Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)

For a client who is unable to reach the feet in Paschimottanasana, a strap may be placed around the feet, and the client may be able to hold a light stretch in the hamstrings without compromising the length of the spine. This adjustment avoids putting a strain on the lower back but still provides a therapeutic stretch.

Example Asana: Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose)

A strap may be employed to assist the client to maintain their foot and straighten the leg to the ceiling, extending the stretch to the hamstrings and calves without overextension.

Bolsters

Bolsters are big, sturdy pillows that give support and comfort during restorative and therapy poses. They are particularly helpful in relaxation and mild stretching exercises, providing a sense of security and stability.

Example Asana: Savasana (Corpse Pose)

Putting a bolster under the knees in Savasana will relieve lower back pain, particularly for clients with lumbar spine conditions. It relaxes the body by permitting the spine to lie in a more neutral alignment, releasing tension in the body.

Example Asana: Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)

A bolster under the back and another under the knees can assist with deep relaxation and facilitate hip opening without coercing the body into a challenging stretch. This adjustment is especially beneficial for clients with tight hips or post-hip surgery.

Blankets

Blankets are also often utilized to offer cushioning, heat, and support in different positions. They may be folded into a soft area to sit or lie on, or they can be utilized to cushion the body when resting.

Example Asana: Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

One may use a blanket under the shoulders to offer more support and further lift the chest, which will be particularly useful for clients who have neck concerns or those that find it difficult to find ease in the posture.

Example Asana: Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose)

For clients with short legs or lower back pain, using a blanket underneath the hips or lower back in Viparita Karani supports lifting of the pelvis and allows for improved alignment, which results in a more restorative and therapeutic session.

Chairs

Seating chairs are an outstanding device for mobility-impaired or unable clients who cannot handle floor-based positions. Chair yoga helps clients conduct sitting or standing asanas under the assistance of a chair to provide the session a safe and reachable form.

Example Asana: Chair Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

In Chair Warrior II, the client is able to sit straight up in a stable chair with feet wide apart and arms out to shoulder height. This adaptation enables clients with knee pain or balance problems to do the pose and reduce strain.

Example Asana: Seated Cat-Cow (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)

Seated Cat-Cow on a chair is best for clients who cannot get on the floor. It permits them to ease through spinal flexion and extension, enhancing flexibility and mobility in the spine.

Walls

The wall is a great prop for support in standing postures or balancing asanas. It can assist clients in maintaining alignment and deepening stretches while providing security.

Example Asana: Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Students can practice Tadasana with their back against the wall to correct alignment in the spine and posture. This is particularly useful for students who are having trouble balancing or students new to the principles of alignment.

Example Asana: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

For clients who find it difficult to balance or place their hands on the floor, Adho Mukha Svanasana can be done with hands resting on a wall. This provides the benefits of the inversion without putting excessive strain on the shoulders and wrists.

Conclusion

The use of props and equipment in yoga therapy is not to make the practice simpler but to make sure that the practice is suited to the needs of the individual, thereby making yoga more accessible and efficient for all. Whether with the utilization of blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, or chairs, props facilitate a safe, supportive, and comfortable space for clients to further their practice, recover from injuries, and maximize their well-being. By knowing how to include props in therapy sessions, yoga therapists can deliver a more tailored experience that caters to the specific needs of each client, promoting advancement in physical and emotional health.