International Yoga Day 2025: 7 yoga equipment that can help you deepen every pose

Hindustan Times

18-06-2025

Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy, as per the US National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health. As it is International Yoga Day, take out time to reassess your yoga equipment. The right prop can transform your practice. From deepening your stretches to supporting your meditations, the props are designed to help you in every way. These essentials can help you build strength, flexibility and awareness. This curated list of 7 must-have yoga props will not only elevate your daily flow but also make every posture accessible and joyful. Check out these essential gear to nail the yoga poses.
Yoga is an effective way to manage and reduce stress, anxiety and depression, as per the International Journal of Yoga. With the best yoga equipment, you can deepen your asanas and enjoy numerous health benefits:
1. Best yoga mat
The most fundamental item in any yogi's toolkit is the best yoga mat in India. This yoga equipment provides cushioning and grip to prevent slips and protect joints. Whether you want to flow through vinyasas or meditate in stillness, a non-slip, eco-friendly mat sets the foundation for your practice. Look for options made of TPE, cork, or natural rubber for a sustainable choice that balances comfort with durability.
Try this:
Wiselife Tru Body Alignment Yoga Mat is a non-slip, extra-wide 6mm yoga mat. This yoga equipment features alignment lines for posture precision and joint protection. The included strap adds support in stretches, making your flow safer and more effective.
2. Best yoga block
Yoga blocks bring the floor closer to you by offering stability and support in standing, seated, and balance poses. They are perfect for modifying postures, improving alignment, and encouraging proper form, especially if you are tight in your hips or hamstrings. Foam blocks are lightweight, cork blocks are eco-friendly and firm, and wood blocks offer a traditional, sturdy feel.
Try this:
Built from sturdy cotton with an adjustable D-ring, the Boldfit Yoga Belt with D-Ring improves flexibility, deepens stretches, and assists in safe pose transitions. This yoga equipment is ideal for beginners and advanced yogis alike.
3. Best yoga wheel
A yoga wheel is ideal for opening the chest, shoulders, and back, especially during deep backbends. It can help improve flexibility, assist in posture correction, and release spinal tension. Beginners can use it for gentle heart openers, and advanced practitioners can challenge their core and balance with it. This yoga equipment is also a great pre- or post-practice prop for mobility drills.
Try this:
These high-density EVA foam blocks from FEGSY support balance, alignment, and flexibility. The strap helps with deeper stretches. Together, they ensure safe modifications and added comfort in challenging asanas.
4. Best yoga strap
Can't touch your toes yet? No problem. A yoga strap acts like an extension of your arms, which helps you access deeper stretches and hold poses with better alignment. It is especially helpful in improving flexibility in the shoulders, legs, and hips. Moreover, this yoga equipment allows you to stay in poses longer and more safely. Adjustable D-ring straps offer excellent grip and control.
Try this:
Wiselife offers a sweat-resistant yoga wheel that supports backbends, releases spinal tension, and improves posture. Ideal for flexibility training, this yoga equipment is a powerful tool for relieving pain and deepening heart-opening poses.
5. Best yoga chair
Used widely in Iyengar and restorative yoga, a yoga chair offers exceptional support for a wide range of poses, including backbends and inversions. It is ideal for seniors, people with limited mobility, or anyone working on alignment. This yoga equipment helps deepen stretches while reducing pressure on joints. Foldable and sturdy, it is a functional prop for both home and studio use.
Try this:
Streetup India® Iyengar Yoga Chair is a foldable, leather-seated yoga chair designed for Iyengar yoga. It supports alignment, stability, and deeper stretches. This yoga equipment is perfect for backbends, inversions, and practitioners with limited mobility or flexibility.
6. Best meditation cushion
Meditation cushions can elevate your hips and support a straight spine, which makes it easier to sit comfortably for longer periods. They reduce strain on the knees, hips, and lower back, making your breathwork or mindfulness sessions more sustainable. Often paired with a larger floor cushion, this yoga equipment helps create a calm and comfortable space for stillness.
Try this:
Designed for extended meditations, the FOVERA Foldable Meditation Chair offers back support and posture alignment. The meditation block eases cross-legged sitting, while plush foam ensures comfort through long, mindful practices.
7. Eye pillow
A soft eye pillow for yoga offers gentle pressure on your eyelids and blocks out light. This yoga equipment encourages deeper relaxation during savasana or meditation. Many come infused with calming herbs like lavender or chamomile, adding an aromatherapy boost. This simple tool can help reduce stress, calm your thoughts, and enhance the overall restorative effect of your practice.
Try this:
Microwavable and herb-infused, Comfheat Lavender Weighted Eye Pillow delivers moist heat therapy to relieve eye strain and enhance relaxation. This yoga equipment is a soothing savasana companion that deepens meditative states and calms the mind.
1. The best yoga mat can help maintain proper posture and balance during asanas. The alignment lines guide hand and foot placement, improving form and reducing the risk of injury.
2. Yoga straps can extend your reach in stretches, which makes challenging poses more accessible. It helps improve flexibility over time, supports alignment, and assists in holding poses longer without strain.
3. Yoga block offers support in standing, seated, or reclining poses. This yoga equipment helps improve balance and alignment, deepen stretches, and make difficult poses more approachable.
4. The yoga wheel is ideal for backbends, chest openers, and spine flexibility. The wheel supports your back, helps relieve muscle tension, and builds strength and control in deeper, advanced stretches.
5. The yoga chair provides stability in poses that require support, like forward bends or supported inversions. It enhances alignment and allows deeper, longer holds, especially beneficial in Iyengar yoga and for those with limited mobility.
6. An eye pillow can enhance relaxation in savasana and meditation by blocking out light and applying gentle pressure to the eyes. The soothing aroma and weight calm the nervous system.
7. The meditation cushion supports an upright posture during long meditation sessions. The backrest reduces fatigue, the cushioned seat prevents numbness, and the built-in meditation block helps maintain comfort and focus for extended periods.
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Yes, yoga props can improve safety, support alignment, and make poses more accessible. They help build confidence and flexibility without strain, especially when you are just starting out.
Yoga straps and blocks are ideal for improving flexibility. They extend your reach and support deeper stretches, helping your body gradually open up without overexertion or injury.
A yoga wheel supports gentle backbends and relieves spinal tension. It massages tight muscles and enhances flexibility, which makes it a great tool for managing chronic back pain naturally.
Yes, meditation cushions, chairs, and eye pillows enhance comfort, support posture, and help you relax deeply, allowing for longer, more focused and peaceful meditation sessions.
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