The Ultimate Guide to Elevating SAAL Yoga at Home
Your Essential Props Revealed
(Estimated read time: 5 minutes)
If you’ve practiced with me, you already know: props aren’t just accessories, they are essential tools for supporting your unique body and meeting yourself with compassion. As B.K.S. Iyengar taught us, props are not a sign of weakness; rather, they’re bridges that make yoga accessible and align us more deeply with the heart of the practice. By supporting the body, calming the mind, and inviting stability and grounding, these simple tools help us experience postures in a way that fosters both safety and openness—wherever we are, day by day.
Curious which yoga props I rely on in my personal practice and professional teaching (and the reasons behind my choices)? Here’s your ultimate guide to the unsung heroes of yoga:
The Ultimate Yoga Mat: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
A true classic. The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat has been my most trusted foundation for years (coming up on 10 years with this mat and it still looks brand new!). This is the exact mat you see in all of our videos. I love its dense, enduring support, the way it cushions without compromising stability or connection to the floor, and its never-ending stickiness to keep your foundation stable. It’s a mat that truly grows with you, reliable for new students and seasoned practitioners alike. Not to be overlooked, it also comes with a Lifetime warranty!
You might be wondering, can't I just use the old gym mat I already have? The short answer: sure, you can. But here’s the real deal — gym mats are built mainly to provide cushion when you’re lying down or kneeling on a hard gym floor. Cushion is their primary job. What they don’t do well, however, is grip. Yoga mats, on the other hand, are made specifically for yoga. They feature a special non-slip surface that helps keep your feet exactly where you place them. That’s why they’re often called “sticky mats” — and for good reason!
If you want extra cushion, feel free to place your sticky mat on top of carpet, a firm sofa, or even your bed. Just my advice: when you’re doing standing poses, try to move the mat onto a firmer surface so you can really feel your foundation supporting you.
Runner-Up: Liforme Original Yoga Mat
Affordable Alternative: Jade Level One Yoga Mat
The Ultimate Yoga Blanket: Manduka Yoga Blanket, Recycled Wool
If you’ve practiced with me, you know that I consider a soft, sturdy blanket non-negotiable. Manduka’s Yoga Blanket is just the right weight: heavy enough to ground, supple enough to fold, roll, or stack in whatever way your body needs. I use it for seated postures to elevate the pelvis, my favorite tri-fold chest-opener, or as gentle padding for your knees. I reach for this more often than you might expect.
Runner-Up: Manduka Cotton Blanket
Affordable Alternative: Benevolence LA Authentic Handwoven Mexican Blanket
Household item swap: Thick beach towel, bath sheet or throw blanket
The Ultimate Yoga Strap: Manduka Yoga Strap (8ft)
A simple prop, but endlessly versatile. The Manduka 8ft Yoga Strap is an excellent resource for refining alignment or accessing deeper stretches without strain. I appreciate the extra length, particularly in bound poses like supported supine baddha konasana, and my favorite strap jacket (tutuorial coming soon!). It’s made of a lightly textured cotton, making for a secure grip in your hands. The top reason this is my go-to by a longshot? The D-ring is so smooth, making tightening and loosening the strap with even one hand completely effortless.
Runner-Up: Hugger Mugger D-Ring Cotton Yoga Strap
Affordable Alternative: Gaiam Yoga Strap Premium with Metal D-Ring
Household item swap: long bathrobe belt or scarf
The Ultimate Yoga Bolster: Hugger Mugger Standard Yoga Bolster
Restorative practice truly transformed for me the first time I used this bolster. Hugger Mugger’s classic rectangular bolster is firm yet comfortable and supportive. I love this bolster because regardless how many times you use it, it maintains its shape and firmness. Prop it up with a block underneath for a relaxing and restorative supine pose, or slide it under your torso for a supported child's pose. The construction is durable and the fabric cover is wonderfully soft. This is the prop I recommend for every home practice space.
Runner-Up: Manduka enlight Bolster Pillow
Affordable Alternative: Gaiam Yoga Bolster
Household item swap: Firm couch cushion or rolled-up thick blanket
The Ultimate Yoga Blocks: Hugger Mugger Yoga Blocks, 4 in. Foam Yoga Block (Make it Two!)
Last but essential: a good pair of blocks. Hugger Mugger’s foam blocks strike just the right balance of sturdy and lightweight, which means they’re useful under hands, hips, or even the back of the head. I love to use two blocks together for bridge pose or to bring the floor “up” when all fours, letting the body settle and the mind follow.
Runner-Up AND Affordable Alternative: Gaiam Yoga Block, set of 2
Household item swap: Large hardcover books
Just so you know: If you decide to explore any of these props using the links I share, it helps support my offerings and this space in a small but meaningful way. I may receive a commission for purchases at no extra cost to you. I’m grateful for your presence here, and for anything that allows me to keep sharing what I love.
May your props meet you exactly where you are—on your mat, and in this moment.