How To Use Yoga Equipment? | Mats, Blocks, Straps, Bolsters

Yoga props aren’t a sign that you’re doing it wrong—they’re the reason many poses become doable at all. Whether you’re working on tight hamstrings or shallow shoulder mobility, the right equipment bridges the gap between where you are and where the pose asks you to go. The core idea is simple: place the prop before you enter the pose, then settle into it gradually rather than forcing depth.

Yoga Blocks: Support and Alignment

Blocks bring the floor closer to you, which instantly changes what a pose demands. In Chaturanga, place a block at its highest height shoulder-distance apart under your chest for support. In a forward fold, set one beside a straightened leg to rest your hand on, which keeps your hips square and prevents over-stretching the hamstring.

Blocks work anywhere a pose asks for length you don’t yet have. Use them under your sitting bones in a seated forward fold, under one hand in Triangle, or under your head in a supported child’s pose. They’re firm, stable, and take the strain off your joints.

Yoga Straps: Extend Your Reach

Straps are the cure for limited range. When your hands can’t meet behind your back or your foot is out of reach, a strap bridges the gap while keeping your alignment honest.

For a shoulder opener, hold the strap overhead with hands wider than shoulder-width and gently pull. For a quad stretch, loop the strap around your foot and draw the heel toward your glutes—keeping your hips square throughout. The strap doesn’t do the work; it lets the target muscles stretch while your joints stay safe.

Bolsters: Cushioning and Restorative Support

Bolsters offer a wider, softer base than blocks, which makes them ideal for restorative poses. Place one between your knees in a reclined twist to keep the pelvis neutral, or under your sacrum for a supported backbend. Under your shoulder blades, a bolster opens the chest without straining the neck—the cushioning lets you relax into the pose instead of bracing against it.

Since bolsters are softer, they’re also the prop of choice when you want to stay in a pose for minutes rather than seconds. The support reduces strain in the hips and low back, which is exactly what a recovery practice needs.

Yoga Mats: Size and Thickness

That extra length matters if you’re tall, and the extra thickness helps if your knees or wrists feel pressure on the floor. Thinner mats are easier to pack and travel with; thicker ones are more forgiving during floor work. Prices vary by region, so check the dimensions before you buy rather than assuming one size fits all.

Start with a mat that fits your body and one or two blocks, then add a strap or bolster as your practice finds the need. For a shortlist of gear that holds up to regular practice, see our tested yoga equipment roundup.

REI’s expert guidance recommends the same approach: props are most effective when you place them before entering the pose, then adjust your position gradually. The prop is the starting point; your body does the rest.