Level Up Your Yoga Practice: How Props Can Take You Further

If you’ve ever stepped into a yoga class and seen people reaching for yoga blocks, wheels, or therapy balls, you might have wondered—do I really need those? The short answer? YES! (Well, maybe not need, but trust me, you’ll want them.)

Yoga props aren’t just for beginners. Whether you’re working on flexibility, strength, or deep muscle release, the right prop can take your practice to the next level. Let’s explore how yoga blocks, wheels, and therapy balls can help you get the most out of your practice—no matter your experience level!

Yoga props are often seen as tools for beginners, but they are valuable for practitioners of all levels. They help support proper alignment, deepen stretches, and bring a new level of challenge to your practice. Whether you're working on flexibility, stability, or muscle release, incorporating props like yoga blocks, wheels, and therapy balls can elevate your experience on the mat. (Take a deeper dive into the history and benefits of yoga props)

Let’s explore how these tools can be used effectively, with modifications for both beginners and more experienced yogis.

Yoga Blocks: Support, Stability, and Stretching

Yoga blocks are one of the most versatile props, helping to bring the ground closer when flexibility is limited, or extending your reach when you're ready to deepen a stretch. They assist in maintaining alignment, reducing strain, and enhancing balance.  (To explore the use of blocks further, see our more in-depth blog here)

For Beginners:

If reaching the floor in poses like Forward Fold or Triangle Pose feels challenging, placing blocks under your hands provides much-needed support and allows you to maintain proper posture. In seated poses, such as Sukhasana (Easy Pose), sitting on a block can help elevate the hips and make it easier to sit comfortably for longer periods.

For Experienced Yogis:

Blocks are not only for support—they can also add intensity. Placing them under or beyond your feet in poses like Pyramid or Lizard Lunge encourages a deeper stretch. You can also challenge your strength by using blocks under your hands in Plank or Chaturanga to increase the range of motion. For core engagement, try squeezing a block between your thighs in Bridge or Chair Pose to activate the inner thighs and deepen muscle engagement.

Yoga Wheels: Expanding Flexibility and Strength

The yoga wheel is designed to assist with backbends, improve spinal mobility, and build core strength. It provides both support and challenge, depending on how it is incorporated into the practice. (Explore specific ways to use the wheel here)

For Beginners:

If you struggle with backbends or have tight shoulders, a yoga wheel is a great way to open up the chest safely. Lying back over the wheel in a supported bridge or gentle heart opener helps improve spinal flexibility without strain. It can also be used for balance in poses like Crescent Lunge, where placing your hands on the wheel offers stability while you build strength.

For Experienced Yogis:

More advanced practitioners can use the wheel to intensify backbends, such as in Forearm Wheel Pose, where the wheel adds height and depth. It also adds an element of instability, making core work more dynamic—try placing your feet on the wheel in Plank Pose for an extra challenge. In deep stretches, rolling the wheel forward in Half Splits can encourage greater extension.  Check out our short video here.

Yoga Therapy Balls: Targeted Muscle Release

Yoga therapy balls are excellent for self-massage, targeting tight muscles and relieving tension in areas that are difficult to access with traditional stretching. They help with myofascial release, improving circulation and mobility. (Need more ideas?  Click here)

For Beginners:

If you experience muscle tightness, therapy balls can provide gentle but effective relief. Placing them under the upper back and rolling side to side helps release tension in the shoulders. Similarly, using them under the feet can help with arch pain and improve overall foot health.

For Experienced Yogis:

Those looking for deeper muscle release can use therapy balls to target specific areas like the hip flexors, glutes, or along the spine. Applying pressure to tight spots and holding for a few breaths can help release built-up tension. For advanced mobility work, rolling the therapy balls under the hamstrings or calves post-practice enhances recovery and flexibility.

Final Thoughts

Yoga props are not just for beginners—they are tools that enhance alignment, deepen stretches, and create new challenges. Whether you are looking to modify a pose, build strength, or work on mobility, incorporating blocks, wheels, and therapy balls can support your practice in meaningful ways.

Experiment with these props and see how they can elevate your yoga journey. How do you use props in your practice? Share your experiences in the comments!