Props for Home—What Do You Need & Where To Get It?

I would encourage everyone to take yoga class in the studio because it tends to be a higher quality experience. However, the reality is that Covid, and our often busy lifestyles, have changed the way in which we attend class. Yoga Horizons wants to reduce as many barriers as it can to people practicing yoga, including at home. The basics that we’d suggest every at-home practitioner try to have includes:

• 1 mat

• 1 (backless) folding chair

• 1 belt

• 1 bolster

• 2 blocks

• 4 blankets

We’ve put additional details about each, and some suggested vendors, below:

Prop Packages

1. IYNAUS, the national Iyengar yoga association, has prop packages on sale initially assembled for the 2023 convention that include all the essentials: mat, block, blankets and strap, and a nice canvas bag in which to store everything. This is perhaps the easiest and least expensive way to get started.
   https://tinyurl.com/5bj2792c

2. Hugger Mugger offers some simple, 4-item kits that can help get you started, in several different colors, with a matt, blocks and strap.
   https://www.huggermugger.com/yoga-kits/?aff=256

Mats—Length, thickness, color and type of material tend to be the primary variables. Iyengar purists tend to favor thinner (i.e. 2mm) mats, while 4mm tend to provide some additional padding without becoming too bouncy. Lengths range from 68” (sort of a standard) to more than 80” for taller people.

1. Hugger Mugger has several sizes, styles and thicknesses from which to choose. Yoga Horizons uses this one but feel free to browse.:
   https://www.huggermugger.com/tapas-original-68-in-yoga-mat/?aff=256

2. Tools for Yoga caters to a specifically Iyengar-focused customer base. They offer this 4mm mat in a few colors and legnths.
   https://www.toolsforyoga.net/product-p/m002.htm

Belts—Length, width and buckle type (metal or plastic) are some of the key variables on this simple yet important prop. 6 foot, cotton, 1.25”wide belts tend to be a popular with Iyengar studios.

1. IYNAUS, the national Iyengar Association, sells “Pune belts” through their online store. (Pune is the city in which BKS Iyengar lived and taught).

2. Hugger Mugger offers belts that are slightly wider and available in different colors if you want to coordinate! We suggest this 6 ft, “D Ring” version.
   https://www.huggermugger.com/yoga-straps/?aff=256

3. Tools for Yoga offers a Pune style belt that is very close, if not identical to what is sold by IYNAUS (i.e. 6’ long, 1”wide, metal buckle)
   https://www.toolsforyoga.net/product-p/f103.htm

Blankets—There is some apparent contention among Iyengar yoga practitioners as to which blankets are the best (e.g. cotton “Pune” style, cotton “Mexican” style, wool, etc). I’ve used them all and find they all do the same thing! The only difference being their relative thickness. That said, the white cotton “Pune” style blankets are not that widely available. Having 4 of whatever style on hand should serve you well, unless they are particularly thin.

1. One of the few places to get “Pune style” white cotton blankets (albeit not the “original” type ones) is via Yogikuti (based in India) on Amazon. Here’s the link.

2. Hugger Mugger also offers several different types. I would suggest defaulting to the Mexican style ones on this page if only because they have a decent thickness. Again, having 4 should serve most purposes.
   https://www.huggermugger.com/yoga-blankets/?aff=256

Bolsters—as with other props, there can be some disagreement around what type of bolster (i.e. shape, size, firmness) is most suitable for Iyengar yoga practice. Many studios have made their own. Having a single bolster is useful for many situations; having two can be especially nice/useful for certain poses or less flexible practitioners.

1. Our friends at The Yoga Place (La Crosse, WI), an Iyengar-focused studio, offer their handmade bolsters in a variety of colors.
   https://www.yogalacrosse.com/product/custom-handmade-hand-rolled-bolsters/

2. Tools for Yoga also sells more custom created bolsters that tend to be popular with Iyengar practitioners. See the True Blue India Style Bolster With Standard Cover (or Indonesian Batik Cover for something more colorful) on this page (I would select Standard firmness):
   https://www.toolsforyoga.net/category-s/142.htm

3. Hugger Mugger tends to sell bolsters that are bit more firm than what you might find in a Iyengar studio. These are still useful and not consider “sub-standard” in any way. It can be nice to have one of these and one of the more handmade ones, or just two of either!
   https://www.huggermugger.com/yoga-bolsters/?aff=256

Blocks—the main “debate” around blocks tends to be whether to go with “traditional” wood blocks or lighter foam-based ones. They both do the same thing! (I’m not a fan of cork because they tend to be absorbent and less durable). While I sometimes appreciate the unyielding firmness of wood, the foam ones tend to be a bit more useful all around given their relative light weight, ability to be held aloft more easily, and forgiving edges if/when dropped! Two will serve most all situations; having 4 is sort of bonus if you have the room and budget. There is no reason to vary from the very standard (“4 inch”) size.

1. Hugger Mugger foam block are popular for a reason, and not just because they’re available in multiple colors. They also have some nice, fairly lightweight, wood blocks.
   https://www.huggermugger.com/yoga-blocks/?aff=256

Chairs—an (Iyengar) yoga chair is basically a standard, metal folding chair with the back removed. If its lacks a support bar between the two front legs, and is still sturdy, all the better! A somewhat regularly used prop, this should be fairly highly prioritized. That said, I’m reluctant to suggest a vendor because I don’t know a reliable one and/or one that isn’t charging an excessive amount. For c. $15, you can buy a plain metal folding chair at an office or discount store. You can remove the back support but hitting it with a hammer (fairly hard) and breaking the weld between it and the support bar. Smooth any rough edges with a file and/or emory paper and you’re good to go! Here’s a video showing you a slightly less aggressive method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QgbbjbZaTQ

Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for reputable vendors not listed above! (hello@yhchicago.com)