15 Yoga Props and Products That I Use to Practice Yoga and Pilates from Home
I have been doing yoga since my teens. It helps me a lot to keep stress at bay as well as keep me mentally and physically fit. Yoga practice has been a must for me. I didn’t want to get into bad shape. I heard my friends teasing me, “She looks like sugar in a plum” and then plump plump PLUMP.
It is not only physical fitness that is required. Mental fitness was the need of the hour to cope with a daily blast of pandemic news. TV news channels were like hell, reporting the whole day the number of people dying across the world.
Practising yoga at home without yoga props? How can I manage that? I didn’t have the right space for it at home, nor did I have a suitable environment with my pets roaming around and jumping on me. Also, the tile and marble flooring of the house, was it right to do yoga poses on it? I wanted to encourage and focus on the yoga postures – not on a funky, nasty-smelling, cold, or really hard floor.
Without props at hand, I switched to yoga apps at first and started practising yoga on an old rug, gluing my eyes on how the teacher taught yoga. But that was a bit not so appealing to me. Then I thought of joining the live streaming of yoga, either on Zoom or on Facebook. This did work as the classes were on time, a fixed schedule which I could not miss out on, as I had to also tune in live at the same time as the live class session.
It only takes a spark to get a fire going – and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
Soon, I gained momentum and was back on my yoga track. I lacked a few products that I wanted at once to continue with the live streaming of yoga classes at home. But thanks to Amazon and its Prime deals, I browsed the offers on yoga props, and I managed to order online and got it delivered in a few days.
Waking up early in the morning and waiting for the live stream is a healthy routine now. Even my pet cat who was too lazy to wake up, seeing me rolling my yoga mat on my living room floor, with its furry tail up, rubbed himself against my legs and seemed to say, “Yoga eh..how about this one, the trapeze stand”- and jumped on my back all of a sudden giving me more energy for push-ups and warm-up exercise before yoga class.
Starting the day with Sun Salutation, where a series of poses are performed in a sequence to create a flow of movement, was more exciting. The first rays of the sun peeping through my window were refreshing, and there I was standing in front of the Sun and doing a Sun Salutation. With proper breath control to inhale and exhale, my body is all set to practice yoga at home.
I also do Yoga in the evening for half an hour. It’s so hilarious you won’t believe it. It’s not yoga if my yoga teacher sees it, but it’s not even Pilates, I think, it’s just play and fun stretching yourself after a day’s toil.
Simply move out to your balcony if you live in an apartment, or move out to the lawn or garden, and have fun with your kids around. Get a skipping or jumping rope, either do pulls and pushes, play tug of war or jump to the laughter of joy of doing yoga at home with your loved ones around.
15 Yoga Props and Products That I Use
What helped me to practice yoga more comfortably and gave me the feel and look of my yoga studio were the props and products that I bought. If you, too, are interested in doing yoga from home, then here are the 15 Yoga Props and Products that I use to practice Yoga and pilates from home. Remember, these are my own choice, and you can add more or buy a few according to your needs and make yoga from home a memorable one.
1. Heathyoga Yoga Block (2 Pack) and Yoga Strap Set
Blocks help me to get support for my knees and elbows when doing yoga poses or Pilates fitness stretching exercises. I came across this prop at Amazon, which seems to me in my budget. It is made of supportive foam and is slip-resistant, and gives you a firm grip.
It also comes with a D-ring stretching strap to increase your range of motion. Perfect for all types of yoga and other workout exercises, great for overall balance and flexibility and also is moisture-proof if you sweat too much.
2. El Paso Designs Mexican Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is a must for me, as my home has all tile flooring. I prefer handmade products as they are beautifully designed, and moreover, many of the product sales go to charity if they are made by some of the local NGOs.
This is a Colorful 51in x 74 Studio Mexican Falsa Blanket Ideal for Yoga and is imported from Mexico. Also is also woven from a blend of soft, environmentally friendly recycled fibres. You can choose the colours according to your choice.
3. Heathyoga Yoga Knee Pad
Some yoga asanas and fitness poses do need kneeling. I require knee pads even for my elbows while doing floor exercises. Many times, the rough flooring gives me a tingling sensation in my elbows.
This prop is made from eco-friendly TPE material, PVC and latex-free, and will not absorb sweat or liquids, and it can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth after your practice.
4. Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Yoga Pillow
This yoga prop is useful for Pranayams. This yoga pillow suits Iyengar yoga as well and serves as a cushion. It has a removable cover that you can wash and use again.
Made from organic cotton inner liner holds the buckwheat pillow fill, making it easy to remove and replace to customise the firmness and height for a fresh resting place.
5. Thundesk Yoga Inversion Bench Headstand
This is an upside Down Chair for Feet Up and balance training, core strength building, Backbends Yoga Asana Practice Chair.
You can balance well, and there is no worry to slip also there is no pressure on your neck and spine. Best for Pilates fitness class and exercises to improve circulation in the body.
6. Yoga dice for workouts
This yoga product is my favourite as it is a set of 7 wooden dice offering you thousands of possible combinations to work out.
With seated, standing, balancing, twists, and more, you’re sure to find a new pose or stretch to challenge your endurance. You can sit and meditate if you want.
7. Tumaz Stretch Strap
I use this yoga prop in many different ways. Like extensions of the limbs or to provide a supportive framework to explore asana.
When working from home gives me neck pain, I use it and grip it very tightly, which can invite tension into the neck and shoulders.
8. 4 Pack Women’s Headband
This prop is a must for me as I have long hair and while doing yoga I want my hair to be all wrapped or tucked as a bun or pony.
I loved this product, Boho Floal Style Criss Cross Head Wrap Hair Band, as they are really soft and stretchy. It looks so elegant and charmin,g keeping the hair intact.
9. 2000lbs Static Strength Exercise Stability Ball
This Pilate product from Black Mountain is best for exercise and stretching balance ball for all ages.
It is a strong, holding balancing ball that holds up to a ton of weight. You get a ball pump and a starter brochure to help first-time users and a manufacturer’s warranty to ensure safety. There are four sizes of balls to choose from.
10. U-pick 4 Packs Cooling Towel
Towel is an important product that I use to Practice Yoga and pilates from Home. This is a cooling towel and no chemicals are used in the making of the cooling towels. The towel stays chilled for up to 3 hours (depending on conditions).
The super absorbent fibre weave technology of the mesh towel regulates the water inside and ensures water retention. This is best for Pilates and fitness exercises. It is so lightweight and yet absorbs water and sweat and keeps you dry after the high intensity of exercise.
11. InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser
To get the perfect yoga studio atmosphere at home, I love this oil diffuser. I use lemon and rose oil. This upgraded diffuser comes with 8 colours of lights. It doesn’t occupy much space, so place it wherever you like
There are two misting modes, and you can set it to intermittent mist (6-8 hrs working time) that diffuser mists and pauses every 30 seconds, or set it to continuous mist (3-4 hrs working time) that keeps misting until the water runs out, it creates an instant fragrance in your room.
12. Pilates Ring
This Pilates product is a great add-on for toning thighs, abs and legs. As Pilates improves your muscle tone and fitness when you practice regularly, even at home, this lightweight Pilates ring is a great prop.
Moreover, this product is given free for trial for 90 days, and if you are satisfied, then you buy it.
13. Vapour Fresh Natural Cleaning and Deodorising Spray
Now that you are using various props and products at home for yoga and pilates, you need to clean them daily.
Vapour fresh natural cleaning and deodorising spray is what I am using. You can clean your Yoga mat or any of your gym or Pilates equipment.
14. The Incense Match Original Scented Matches Mini Incense Stick
Incense matchsticks are just superb and fill the atmosphere in the room with a beautiful and soothing aroma.
If you don’t want to use the diffuser, then use this. Currently this product is going out of stock, so book it now. There are 16 different fragrances in the pack.
15. Hydro Flask Standard
Finally, to quench your thirst, this product is required if you don’t have a Hydro Flask at home. I had but I bought it again for separate use in my yoga class. Water is a must to balance body heat.
The powder coat on this flask works with the premium temp shield insulation, which prevents condensation from forming on the outside of the bottle, giving you exactly what you want in an everyday refreshment delivery system.
$27- $100 at Amazon (according to the size)
As yoga Props can be used for a multitude of reasons in your yoga practice. They have the capacity to transform poses and to add endless interest to a regular practice.
Note that the availability of these props and products at Amazon depends on the seller and demand. Also, the price may vary between the product cost and shipping charges, if any.
There are various other yoga and Pilates products at various online stores, even at Australian local yoga stores like Lululemon and others.
Remember to make your own choice when buying yoga products to do workouts at home. Because you know better what you need and what is required for your yoga and fitness class at home. Also, you have to consider your budget while buying the props. So make wise choices to buy at a prime deal offer or with some discount.
If I missed my yoga community at the yoga studio, but doing yoga at home is more peaceful, entertaining and humorous with my cat Mishtu.
Doing yoga at home is really fun, more relaxing, and entertaining as well. (laughing aloud is also yoga, isn’t it!)