Props are a great way to not only support your practice, but also to evolve it. To get creative. To try new twists on classic poses. And to develop full body awareness.
Try these 7 poses with a set of 2 blocks.
- Stretch – Start in table top. Step left foot through between hands. Melt hips forward. No tension in the shoulders. Add a twist. Keep right hand down and bring left hand onto thigh. Push thigh away and pull the shoulder back. Hold for a few breaths. Return to center. Straighten the left leg, flexing the foot. Push the heel down and draw it back. Repeat on other leg.
2. Downward Dog on Blocks – Set the blocks up on their lowest level towards edges of mat. Place palms on top. Knees a bit behind the hips. Tuck the toes and lift hips up and back. Inhale to ripple forward to plank. Exhale to lift the hips up and back. Repeat a few times.
3. Crunch – Set one block up on its lowest level towards back of the mat. Lowering down so it supports the thoracic spine. Extend the legs out in front of you. Interlace the hands behind your head. Drop head back to mat. Inhale to point toes and expand through rib cage. Exhale to curl and lift up. Bringing left knee over hip and shin parallel to the floor. Inhale to lower. Alternate legs. Repeat a few rounds.
4. Boat – Come to sit with the legs out. Place one block between upper inner thighs. Grab and hold the other block between palms. Stay up on the sit bones. Squeeze the block as you lift feet. Reach the arms out in front of you. As you exhale twist the block toward the left and lower to a low boat. Inhale back to center. Alternate sides. Do a few sets.
5. Modified Plank Push-Ups – Return to table top with the hands on the blocks. Walk knees back a few inches. Then melt the hips forward. Draw the belly in. Exhale to push down. Inhale to push up. Exhale to press back towards feet, lengthening the spine. Inhale to return to modified plank. Repeat a few times through.
6. Balancing Table Top – Draw knees back under hips in your table top. Grip the block with your right hand. Pick up and reach it forward, bicep by the ear. Extend the left leg back. Keeping the hip down. Flatten out the low back. Repeat on the other side.
7. Supported Fish – Set the blocks up so one is under the head, and the other lengthwise to support upper back. Lower down, adjusting blocks as needed. Take a butterfly variation with legs or extend them forward. Rests arms by the sides or bring them back behind you.
These 7 poses are part of an intermediate 30 minute power yoga flow on my channel.
Namaste,
Kassandra
