Essential Accessories for Yoga Practice: Complete Guide to Choosing and Using Them

Yoga is an age-old practice that offers many benefits for the body and mind.

While the basic practice of yoga is based on postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama) and meditation, the use of suitable accessories allows you to maximize these benefits by providing comfort, support and stability.

No matter what type of yoga you practice, these props are especially useful for beginners, people with physical limitations, or those practicing gentler forms of yoga.

The use of yoga accessories allows you to avoid injury in certain postures where your flexibility is limited!

In this article, we will explore the main props used in yoga: bolsters, straps, zafus, mats, explaining how to use them, what type of yoga they are suitable for and what their benefits are.

1. The bolster: an ally for comfort and relaxation

What is a bolster?

The bolster is a cylindrical or rectangular cushion that is generally larger and firmer than a traditional cushion.

It is filled with materials like foam, kapok or cotton, and is designed to provide extra support in certain yoga postures.

Its shape helps to keep the spine or other parts of the body in a more comfortable position, especially in relaxation postures or deep rest postures, such as Yin yoga or Restorative yoga postures.

How to use the bolster?

The bolster is often used under the back, knees or head to support the body and promote relaxation. Here are some examples of its use:

• Relaxation postures : In restorative yoga or Yin yoga, the bolster is used to support the back, legs or hips in prolonged postures such as Savasana (relaxation posture) or Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle posture).
• Support for beginners : If a posture requires flexibility, the bolster can compensate for physical limitations, for example when sitting or bending forward.
• Strengthening stretches : Placed under the spine, it allows a gentle opening of the chest and shoulders, thus improving breathing.

Where to place the bolster?

• Under the back : In postures like the “Savasana” posture (relaxation posture), the bolster is placed under the back to open the chest and improve breathing.
• Under the Knees : In seated postures or forward bends, the bolster can be placed under the knees to relieve pressure on the hips and allow for a more relaxed posture.
• Under the head : During certain postures such as the "Supta Baddha Konasana" posture (reclining butterfly pose), a bolster under the head helps keep the spine aligned and avoid any tension in the neck.

For what type of yoga?

The bolster is particularly useful in practices like Yin yoga , Restorative yoga and Hatha yoga .

These forms of yoga focus on relaxation and deep stretching, and props like the bolster help maintain correct posture while promoting maximum relaxation.

Benefits and advantages of bolster

• Support and Comfort : The bolster helps maintain a comfortable position for long periods of time, which is especially important in the passive postures of Yin and Restorative yoga.
• Improved breathing : By opening the chest or supporting the spine, the bolster allows for deeper and more efficient breathing.
• Tension Reduction : The support provided by the bolster helps release muscle tension and facilitate relaxation.

2. The strap: for better flexibility and better alignment

What is a strap?

The strap is an essential accessory to help improve flexibility, alignment and range of yoga postures. It is usually made of cotton or nylon and is about 2 to 3 meters long. It is equipped with buckles to adjust the length and tension.

How to use the strap?

The strap can be used to facilitate the execution of many yoga postures. Here are some examples:

• Leg Stretch : In poses like “Pashimottanasana” (Seated Forward Bend), the strap can be placed around the feet to help you lengthen your legs without straining.
• Body Alignment : In postures like “Trikonasana” (Triangle Pose), the strap can be used to maintain proper alignment between the arms and legs.
• Improved Flexibility : By using the strap to hold a stretched position, you can work on flexibility without risking injury.

For what type of yoga?

The strap is particularly useful in practices like Hatha yoga , Vinyasa yoga , and Iyengar yoga .

These styles of yoga emphasize precision of postures and deep work on alignment and flexibility.

Benefits and advantages of the strap

• Improved Flexibility : The strap helps to gently stretch muscles, which is essential for improving long-term flexibility.
• Support in difficult postures : For beginners or more advanced practitioners who wish to deepen their practice, the strap provides support in complex postures.
• Injury Prevention : By helping maintain proper alignment, the strap reduces the risk of injury during deep stretches.

3. The zafu: for meditation and seated postures

What is a zafu?

The zafu is a traditional meditation cushion used in the practice of yoga and meditation. It is usually round or slightly oval in shape and filled with buckwheat or kapok seeds. This cushion is designed to support the hips and pelvis during prolonged sitting postures.

How to use the zafu?

The zafu is mainly used during seated meditation or postures such as "Sukhasana" (easy posture), "Padmasana" (lotus) or "Seiza" (prayer posture).

• Under the hips : The zafu is placed under the hips to slightly elevate the pelvis and facilitate optimal alignment of the spine.
• Support for meditation : By providing comfortable support, the zafu helps maintain a stable sitting position and reduce pain or tension in the legs and hips.

For what type of yoga?

The zafu is primarily used in practices that include a meditation component, such as Yoga nidra , Kundalini yoga , and Vinyasa yoga .

It is also very popular in meditation practices in general.

Benefits and advantages of zafu

• Improved Posture : The zafu helps maintain an upright and balanced posture during meditation or sitting postures.
• Comfort during meditation : The support provided by the zafu helps reduce pain associated with prolonged sitting.
• Physical and Mental Support : Good physical support promotes a calmer and more focused mental state during meditation.

4. The mat: the fundamental element of the practice

What is a yoga mat?

The yoga mat is the basic accessory that every practitioner uses for their practice. It is designed to provide a non-slip and comfortable surface, which allows you to perform yoga postures without slipping.

Rugs are typically made of rubber, PVC, TPE, cork, or jute, offering varying levels of comfort and durability.

How to use the mat?

The mat is mainly used to mark your practice space and provide a safe and stable surface. It provides support for the joints and allows for better grip when performing postures.

• Stable surface : It is important to ensure that the mat is properly positioned on the floor to avoid any slipping during practice.
• Non-slip surface : The non-slip texture helps prevent injuries, especially in dynamic postures such as Vinyasa yoga .

For what type of yoga?

The yoga mat is used in all types of yoga, whether it is Hatha yoga , Vinyasa yoga , Ashtanga yoga or Yin yoga .

It is essential for all practices that involve standing or floor postures.

Benefits and advantages of the carpet

• Stability and safety : It provides a stable base for performing postures without the risk of slipping.
• Joint Protection : It serves as a shock absorber for the joints, especially the knees, wrists and elbows, when you perform postures on the floor.
• Comfort and grip : The non-slip surface of the mat improves grip and comfort, allowing you to fully concentrate on practice.

5. Yoga Bricks: A Versatile Tool for All Levels

What is a yoga brick?

Yoga bricks, also called blocks, are rectangular props made of foam, cork or wood.

They are designed to provide additional support and improve alignment in various postures.

Lightweight, yet strong, they are ideal for helping practitioners access difficult postures or for adjusting a posture to make it more accessible.

How to use yoga bricks?

Bricks are extremely versatile and can be used in a number of ways in a yoga practice:

• Reduce the distance to the ground : In postures such as "Trikonasana" (triangle pose), a brick placed under the hand helps maintain body alignment when the hands cannot reach the ground.
• Support the hips or back : While seated or in postures such as “Setu Bandhasana” (bridge pose), the bricks can be placed under the hips or sacrum to provide support and reduce tension.
• Help maintain balance : In balancing poses like the “Ardha Chandrasana” (half moon pose), the bricks provide a stable base to help achieve balance.
• Facilitate stretching : For forward bends or chest openers, bricks can be used to lengthen and support the body without straining.

For what type of yoga?

Yoga blocks are commonly used in Hatha yoga , Vinyasa yoga , Iyengar yoga (where the emphasis is on alignment), as well as Restorative yoga and Yin yoga to provide support in prolonged postures.

Benefits and Advantages of Yoga Bricks

• Increased accessibility : They allow practitioners, whatever their level, to access difficult postures by reducing physical constraints.
• Improved Alignment : By providing support, the bricks help maintain proper alignment, reducing the risk of injury.
• Support and stability : They provide additional stability in balancing postures or deep stretches.
• Versatility : Bricks are suitable for many uses, whether for strengthening, balance or relaxation.

Yoga bricks are therefore an essential ally for beginners and experienced yogis alike, allowing them to deepen and secure their practice while respecting everyone's physical abilities.

Conclusion

Yoga accessories such as bolsters, straps, zafus and mats are not just gadgets.

They are valuable tools to deepen your practice, promoting safety, comfort and accessibility.

By incorporating them into your sessions, you will not only be able to perfect your postures, but also cultivate a deeper connection with your body and mind.

Whether you are drawn to dynamic yoga, Yin yoga or meditation, investing in these accessories adapted to your needs will allow you to take full advantage of the countless benefits of yoga.

Want to enrich your practice today? Start with these 10 ultra-relaxing yoga poses !

Also discover our 5 favorite free online yoga classes !

Please note that yoga can of course be practiced in addition to another sporting activity.