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title: Yoga using props - Wikipedia
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> **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_using_props?utm_source=openai

The German yoga teacher Petra Kirchmann[\[1\]](#cite_note-1) demonstrating an inversion using a chair, [yoga mat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_mat "Yoga mat"), belt, blanket and bolster in a [therapeutic use of yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_as_therapy "Yoga as therapy")

**Props used in yoga** include chairs, [blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_brick "Yoga brick"), belts, [mats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_mat "Yoga mat"), blankets, bolsters, and straps. They are used in [postural yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_as_exercise "Yoga as exercise") to assist with correct alignment in an [asana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana "Asana"), for ease in [mindful yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindful_yoga "Mindful yoga") practice, to enable poses to be held for longer periods in [Yin Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yoga "Yin Yoga"), where support may allow muscles to relax, and to enable people with movement restricted for any reason, such as stiffness, injury, or [arthritis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis "Arthritis"), to continue with their practice.

One prop, the **yoga strap**, has an ancient history, being depicted in temple sculptures and described in manuscripts from ancient and medieval times; it was used in _Sopasrayasana_, also called _Yogapattasana_, a seated [meditation pose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation_posture "Meditation posture") with the legs crossed and supported by the strap. In modern times, the use of props is associated especially with the yoga guru [B. K. S. Iyengar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._K._S._Iyengar "B. K. S. Iyengar"); his disciplined style required props including belts, blocks, and ropes.

### The _yogapaṭṭa_ in sculpture

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: The yogapaṭṭa in sculpture")\]

The practice of [yoga as exercise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_as_exercise "Yoga as exercise") is modern, though some of the [asanas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana "Asana") are ancient and many more are medieval. A band or strap of cloth was however used in ancient times, some 2000 years ago, to support the body in one asana in particular; this device was the _yogapaṭṭa_, a term defined in [Monier Monier-Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monier_Monier-Williams "Monier Monier-Williams")'s Sanskrit-English dictionary. Such a strap is depicted in a relief sculpture on the [Great Stupa of Sanchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Stupa_of_Sanchi "Great Stupa of Sanchi") in [Madhya Pradesh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh "Madhya Pradesh"), dated c. 50 BCE to 50 CE, in other sculptures from the 7th century CE at [Mamallapuram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamallapuram "Mamallapuram") and [Ellora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora "Ellora"), and from the 14th century at [Hampi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampi "Hampi").[\[2\]](#cite_note-Powell_2018-2)

-   In sculpture
-   Yogi (top right) using a strap, in relief sculpture of the [Syama Jataka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syama_Jataka "Syama Jataka"), the [Great Stupa of Sanchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Stupa_of_Sanchi "Great Stupa of Sanchi"), c. 50 BCE to 50 CE
    
-   Yogi (centre) using strap around waist and legs, [Mahabalipuram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabalipuram "Mahabalipuram") Caves, c. 7th century
    
-   Yoga [Narasimha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narasimha "Narasimha") with _yogapaṭṭa_ strap, [Hampi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampi "Hampi"), Karnataka, c. 14th century
    

### The _sopāśraya_ asana

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: The sopāśraya asana")\]

Textual evidence begins with the ancient _bhāṣya_ commentary to the _[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali")_, which names an asana called _sopāśraya_, meaning "with support"; this was interpreted by medieval commentators such as [Vācaspati's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C4%81caspati_Mi%C5%9Bra "Vācaspati Miśra") 10th century _[Tattvavaiśāradī](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattvavai%C5%9B%C4%81rad%C4%AB "Tattvavaiśāradī")_ and [Vijñānabhikṣu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vij%C3%B1%C4%81nabhik%E1%B9%A3u "Vijñānabhikṣu")'s 16th century _[Yogavarttika](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogavarttika "Yogavarttika")_ as meaning the use of a _yogapaṭṭa_ strap.[\[2\]](#cite_note-Powell_2018-2)[\[3\]](#cite_note-3) The 19th century _[Śrītattvanidhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Ar%C4%ABtattvanidhi "Śrītattvanidhi")_ illustrates a seated posture named _yogapaṭṭāsana_, "the posture with yoga strap", with the band tied around the folded legs. [Norman Sjoman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Sjoman "Norman Sjoman") states that this seems to have been an alternative meditation pose when the yogi's back needed additional support.[\[2\]](#cite_note-Powell_2018-2)[\[4\]](#cite_note-Sjoman-4)

-   In illustrations
-   Painting of Nath yogis on [Babur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babur "Babur")'s 1519 visit to [Gorkhatri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorkhatri "Gorkhatri"). One yogi is using a strap to support his pose. 1590-1593
    
-   Sitting with a strap. Chawand, [Rajasthan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan "Rajasthan"), 1605
    
-   _yogapaṭṭāsana_, "posture with yoga strap", in _[Sritattvanidhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sritattvanidhi "Sritattvanidhi")_, 19th century
    

### The _stambha_ meditation crutch

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: The stambha meditation crutch")\]

In the 8th century _[Pātañjalayogaśāstravivaraṇa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81ta%C3%B1jalayoga%C5%9B%C4%81stravivara%E1%B9%87a "Pātañjalayogaśāstravivaraṇa")_,[\[5\]](#cite_note-5) [Shankara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara "Adi Shankara") glosses the posture mentioned by Patanjali as "The One with Support is with a yoga strap or with a prop such as a crutch";[\[6\]](#cite_note-Baier_2018-6) later commentators such as Vācaspati, [Hemacandra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemacandra "Hemacandra") and Vijñānabhikṣu speak of the posture only as using a strap. The scholar [James Mallinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mallinson_\(author\) "James Mallinson (author)") however comments that a crutch (_stambha_ or _adhārī_) is seen both in miniature paintings of yogis and in current use (in India).[\[6\]](#cite_note-Baier_2018-6)[\[7\]](#cite_note-Mallinson_2020-7) Mallinson states that the meditation crutch was in wide use amongst ascetics from the 16th century onwards; he has travelled India visiting hatha yoga practitioners, and describes the use of the crutch as "rare today, but not unknown", providing a photograph of a yogi at the 2010 [Kumbh Mela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbh_Mela "Kumbh Mela") at [Haridwar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haridwar "Haridwar") in evidence.[\[7\]](#cite_note-Mallinson_2020-7)

-   _Stambha_ meditation crutch in use by a yogi at the [Kumbh Mela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbh_Mela "Kumbh Mela"), [Haridwar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haridwar "Haridwar"), in 2010. Detail of photograph by [James Mallinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mallinson_\(author\) "James Mallinson (author)")[\[7\]](#cite_note-Mallinson_2020-7)
    

The 16th century _[Yogacintāmaṇī](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogacint%C4%81ma%E1%B9%87%C4%AB "Yogacintāmaṇī")_ mentions _sopāśrayāsana_ "Pose with Support" which uses a yoga belt as above, and describes two postures which use a crutch. One is _Āsāvari_ "Best of the Crutches", which uses an āsā, probably meaning a T-shaped prop. Birch states that the yogi can place the prop under one armpit, or have it in front of the body with both arms resting on it. The other is _Nidrāharāsana_ "Posture to prevent sleep", where a fine balance is maintained with the lower legs crossed in Padmasana and the body upright from the knees (a form of [Gorakshasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorakshasana "Gorakshasana")), and the hands again holding a T-shaped prop.[\[8\]](#cite_note-Birch_2024-8)

-   [Nidrāharāsana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorakshasana "Gorakshasana"), pose to prevent sleep, in the 19th century _Yogāsana_, using a T-shaped prop[\[8\]](#cite_note-Birch_2024-8)
    

### For correct alignment

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: For correct alignment")\]

Schools such as [Iyengar Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga "Iyengar Yoga") use props including [blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_brick "Yoga brick"), blankets, and chairs to assist correct alignment, as here in [Utthita Vasisthasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utthita_Vasisthasana "Utthita Vasisthasana").[\[9\]](#cite_note-Mehta_1990-9)

Chairs and other props are used widely in some schools of modern yoga as exercise. The use of props was pioneered in [Iyengar Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga "Iyengar Yoga"), to enable students to work with correct alignment both as beginners and in more advanced asanas with suitable support.[\[10\]](#cite_note-10) Iyengar Yoga was created by [B. K. S. Iyengar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._K._S._Iyengar "B. K. S. Iyengar"), a pupil of the yoga pioneer [Tirumalai Krishnamacharya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirumalai_Krishnamacharya "Tirumalai Krishnamacharya"), and described in his authoritative 1966 book _[Light on Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_on_Yoga "Light on Yoga")_.[\[11\]](#cite_note-Goldberg_2014-11) The scholar of religion [Andrea Jain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Jain "Andrea Jain") observes that the book "prescribed a thoroughly individualistic system of postural yoga",[\[12\]](#cite_note-Jain_2016-12) one that was "rigorous and disciplined",[\[12\]](#cite_note-Jain_2016-12) requiring props such as "belts, [bricks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_brick "Yoga brick"), and ropes".[\[12\]](#cite_note-Jain_2016-12) The props served to guide the practitioner rather than to provide support.[\[13\]](#cite_note-13)

For example, in Iyengar Yoga, [Sarvangasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarvangasana "Sarvangasana"), shoulder stand, can be practised under suitable supervision with the shoulders on a bolster, the buttocks supported on the seat of a chair and a blanket, and the legs resting on the top of the chair's back.[\[9\]](#cite_note-Mehta_1990-9)

### For ease in practice

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: For ease in practice")\]

A pair of [blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_brick "Yoga brick") can support the body, such as under the knees in [Butterfly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baddha_Konasana "Baddha Konasana") (Baddha Konasana).[\[14\]](#cite_note-Clark_2015-14)

The founder of the OM Yoga Center, [Cyndi Lee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyndi_Lee "Cyndi Lee"), describes the use of props as part of a practice of [Mindful Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindful_Yoga "Mindful Yoga"). She wrote that students accustomed to [vinyasa yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyasa_yoga "Vinyasa yoga") "would rather strain and grunt" trying to touch their toes, endangering their backs, rather than use props such as a yoga belt or block to reduce the strain or elevate the pelvis.[\[15\]](#cite_note-Lee_2004-15) The students ignored her, thinking that "ease in their practice ... meant easy and that was wimpy. Not enough challenge, boring, too slow."[\[15\]](#cite_note-Lee_2004-15) She found that this gradually changed as the students recognised _[duhkha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duhkha "Duhkha")_, which she defines as the pain that comes from ignoring the reality of a situation. In her view, using yoga props was a form of [ahimsa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa "Ahimsa"), the [yogic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga "Yoga") practice of nonviolence, in this case avoiding having the will or ego fighting the body.[\[15\]](#cite_note-Lee_2004-15)

The teacher of [Yin Yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yoga "Yin Yoga") [Bernie Clark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Clark_\(yoga_teacher\) "Bernie Clark (yoga teacher)") wrote that many yoga students see props as "cheating",[\[14\]](#cite_note-Clark_2015-14) perhaps feeling that since they are used in [restorative yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_yoga "Restorative yoga") sessions, they are not suitable for other students. Clark counters that props offer multiple benefits, including increasing or decreasing stress in specific areas; creating length and space; making certain positions accessible; providing support and thus enabling muscles to release; and increasing comfort, enabling postures to be held for longer durations. These benefits are especially noticeable in a slower practice such as Yin Yoga.[\[14\]](#cite_note-Clark_2015-14) Clark cites the founder of Insight Yoga, [Sarah Powers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Powers "Sarah Powers"), as writing that "when the bones feel supported, the muscles can relax".[\[14\]](#cite_note-Clark_2015-14) He comments that highly experienced practitioners can easily miss out on this benefit, feeling that they have no need for props, but that even they may discover in "Butterfly Pose" (the Yin Yoga version of [Baddha Konasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baddha_Konasana "Baddha Konasana")) that supporting the knees on blocks allows muscles they did not know they were engaging to relax, transferring the asana's stress to the [fascia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascia "Fascia").[\[14\]](#cite_note-Clark_2015-14) He lists a wide variety of props beyond those most commonly used, and suggests uses for them.[\[14\]](#cite_note-Clark_2015-14)

### To go deeper into a pose

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: To go deeper into a pose")\]

Props can be useful to the advanced student, such as for inverted poses like [Vrischikasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrischikasana "Vrischikasana") (Scorpion), allowing longer holds without fear of falling.

The leading Iyengar yoga teacher Dean Lerner, in _[Yoga Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Journal "Yoga Journal")_, stated that the benefits of props depend on the experience, maturity, and ability of the practitioner; a mature student can use props to enable "refined penetration into the pose and one's being".[\[16\]](#cite_note-Lerner_2007-16) Students may be afraid, he notes, of an inverted pose such as [Shirshasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirshasana "Shirshasana") (yoga headstand); by practising against a wall, the student can learn to master the fear of falling, and can then continue practising there to develop stability, right alignment, and refined balance.[\[16\]](#cite_note-Lerner_2007-16) He adds that props can also be used to enable poses to be held for a longer duration, developing stability of mind and body, as well as poise and concentration; these, he states, enable the mind to draw inward and develop objectivity and humility, a step on the journey towards the Self.[\[16\]](#cite_note-Lerner_2007-16)

### To prevent slipping

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: To prevent slipping")\]

The [yoga mat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_mat "Yoga mat") has become ubiquitous in the practice of yoga as exercise, to the extent that it may not even be thought of as a prop.[\[17\]](#cite_note-EH-17) Its main function is "stickiness",[\[18\]](#cite_note-YJ_test-18) to prevent slipping, though it also provides a more comfortable surface such as for kneeling poses.[\[18\]](#cite_note-YJ_test-18) The mat may equally mark out a territory in a crowded class, or create a ritual space as it is unrolled to begin a session and rolled up at the end.[\[19\]](#cite_note-Jain_2015-19)[\[20\]](#cite_note-20)

### When movement is restricted

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoga_using_props&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: When movement is restricted")\]

A class practising yoga in chairs

Alice Christensen's Easy Does It Yoga, first described in 1979, uses "chair exercises", alongside others on floor or bed, and in later editions also in swimming pools, for older practitioners with restricted movement.[\[21\]](#cite_note-21)[\[22\]](#cite_note-Christensen_1999-22) Lakshmi Voelker-Binder created an approach named Chair Yoga in 1982, on seeing that one of her pupils, aged only in her thirties, was unable to do floor poses because of [arthritis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis "Arthritis").[\[23\]](#cite_note-23)[\[24\]](#cite_note-24)

[Yoga as therapy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_as_therapy "Yoga as therapy") is the use of asanas as a gentle form of [exercise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise "Exercise") and relaxation, applied specifically with the intention of improving health. This may involve [meditation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation "Meditation"), imagery, [breath work (pranayama)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pranayama "Pranayama") and [music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music "Music") alongside the exercise.[\[25\]](#cite_note-25) A 2013 [systematic review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systematic_review "Systematic review") found beneficial effects of yoga on [low back pain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_back_pain "Low back pain").[\[26\]](#cite_note-CramerLaucheHaller2013-26)

An [aerial yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_yoga "Aerial yoga") class practising Flying Pigeon Pose, the aerial variant of [Rajakapotasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajakapotasana "Rajakapotasana")

[Aerial yoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_yoga "Aerial yoga"), a [yoga hybrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yoga_hybrids "List of yoga hybrids"), requires the use of a silk hammock with straps attached by [carabiners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabiner "Carabiner") to support chains, to permit practitioners to perform variants of yoga poses without weight on their hands or feet.[\[27\]](#cite_note-27) Difficult mat-based yoga postures may prove easier to perform through aerial yoga, while the hammock's movement adds variety to the aerial workout.[\[28\]](#cite_note-28)

-   [List of yoga schools](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yoga_schools "List of yoga schools")
-   [Yoga pants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_pants "Yoga pants")

1.  [↑](#cite_ref-1) ["Das Studio"](https://www.yogashala-muenchen.de/das-studio/) (in German). Yogashala Munchen. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210725140432/https://www.yogashala-muenchen.de/das-studio/) from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
2.  [1](#cite_ref-Powell_2018_2-0) [2](#cite_ref-Powell_2018_2-1) [3](#cite_ref-Powell_2018_2-2) Powell, Seth (June 2018). ["The Ancient Yoga Strap"](https://www.theluminescent.org/2018/06/the-ancient-yoga-strap-yogapatta.html). _The Luminescent_. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
3.  [↑](#cite_ref-3) The commentary is on Yoga Sutra 2.46, that an asana should be steady and comfortable.
4.  [↑](#cite_ref-Sjoman_4-0) [Sjoman, Norman E.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Sjoman "Norman Sjoman") (1999) \[1996\]. [_The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Yoga_Tradition_of_the_Mysore_Palace "The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace"). Abhinav Publications. p. 85, and plate 20. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-81-7017-389-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-389-2 "Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-389-2").
5.  [↑](#cite_ref-5) [Birch, Jason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Birch "Jason Birch") (2024). "The Ujjain _Yogacintāmaṇi_". _Āsanas of the Yogacintāmaṇi: The Largest Premodern Compilation on Postural Practice_. Paris and Pondicherry: [École française d'Extrême-Orient](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_fran%C3%A7aise_d'Extr%C3%AAme-Orient "École française d'Extrême-Orient") and Institut français de Pondichéry. p. 182 note 341.
6.  [1](#cite_ref-Baier_2018_6-0) [2](#cite_ref-Baier_2018_6-1) Maas, Philipp A. (2018). "'Sthirasukham Asanam': Posture and Performance in Classical Yoga and Beyond". In Baier, Karl; Maas, Philipp A.; Preisendanz, Karin (eds.). [_Yoga in transformation: historical and contemporary perspectives_](https://archive.org/details/dli.doa.163). Göttingen: Vienna University Press. pp. 49–100\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-3-8471-0862-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-8471-0862-7 "Special:BookSources/978-3-8471-0862-7"). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1077772000](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1077772000).
7.  [1](#cite_ref-Mallinson_2020_7-0) [2](#cite_ref-Mallinson_2020_7-1) [3](#cite_ref-Mallinson_2020_7-2) [Mallinson, James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mallinson_\(author\) "James Mallinson (author)") (2020). "Yogi Insignia in Mughal Painting and Avadhi Romances". In Orsini, Francesca; Lunn, David (eds.). [_To be published in: Objects, Images, Stories: Simon Digby's historical method_](https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/35292/1/Mallinson%202020%20Yogi%20Insignia.pdf) (PDF). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
8.  [1](#cite_ref-Birch_2024_8-0) [2](#cite_ref-Birch_2024_8-1) [Birch, Jason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Birch "Jason Birch") (2024). "The Ujjain _Yogacintāmaṇi_". [_Āsanas of the Yogacintāmaṇi: The Largest Premodern Compilation on Postural Practice_](https://publications.efeo.fr/en/livres/1019_sanas-of-the-yogacint-ma-i). Paris and Pondicherry: [École française d'Extrême-Orient](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_fran%C3%A7aise_d'Extr%C3%AAme-Orient "École française d'Extrême-Orient") and Institut français de Pondichéry. pp. 173, 182–183.
9.  [1](#cite_ref-Mehta_1990_9-0) [2](#cite_ref-Mehta_1990_9-1) [Mehta, Silva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mira_Mehta "Mira Mehta"); Mehta, Mira; Mehta, Shyam (1990). _[Yoga: The Iyengar Way](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga:_The_Iyengar_Way "Yoga: The Iyengar Way")_. Dorling Kindersley. pp. 118–119\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0863184208](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0863184208 "Special:BookSources/978-0863184208").
10.  [↑](#cite_ref-10) Mehta, Silva; Mehta, Mira; Mehta, Shyam (1990). _Yoga the Iyengar Way: The new definitive guide to the most practised form of yoga_. [Dorling Kindersley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorling_Kindersley "Dorling Kindersley"). pp. 70–71, 80, 108, 118–119\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0863184208](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0863184208 "Special:BookSources/978-0863184208").
11.  [↑](#cite_ref-Goldberg_2014_11-0) Goldberg, Michelle (23 August 2014). ["Iyengar and the Invention of Yoga"](https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/iyengar-invention-yoga). _[The New Yorker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Yorker "The New Yorker")_. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
12.  [1](#cite_ref-Jain_2016_12-0) [2](#cite_ref-Jain_2016_12-1) [3](#cite_ref-Jain_2016_12-2) [Jain, Andrea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Jain "Andrea Jain") (July 2016). ["The Popularization of Modern Yoga"](http://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-163). _Oxford Research Encyclopedias_. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.163](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Facrefore%2F9780199340378.013.163). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-19-934037-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-934037-8 "Special:BookSources/978-0-19-934037-8"). Retrieved 20 March 2019.
13.  [↑](#cite_ref-13) Peters, Leslie (December 2006). ["Proper Props"](https://books.google.com/books?id=vekDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA119). _[Yoga Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Journal "Yoga Journal")_ (December 2006): 119–122. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
14.  [1](#cite_ref-Clark_2015_14-0) [2](#cite_ref-Clark_2015_14-1) [3](#cite_ref-Clark_2015_14-2) [4](#cite_ref-Clark_2015_14-3) [5](#cite_ref-Clark_2015_14-4) [6](#cite_ref-Clark_2015_14-5) [Clark, Bernie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Clark_\(yoga_teacher\) "Bernie Clark (yoga teacher)") (7 January 2015). ["The Why, What & How Behind Using Yoga Props"](https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/01/the-why-what-how-behind-yoga-props/). Elephant Journal. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
15.  [1](#cite_ref-Lee_2004_15-0) [2](#cite_ref-Lee_2004_15-1) [3](#cite_ref-Lee_2004_15-2) [Lee, Cyndi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyndi_Lee "Cyndi Lee") (2004). _Yoga Body, Buddha Mind_. [Riverhead Books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhead_Books "Riverhead Books"). pp. 145–146.
16.  [1](#cite_ref-Lerner_2007_16-0) [2](#cite_ref-Lerner_2007_16-1) [3](#cite_ref-Lerner_2007_16-2) Lerner, Dean (28 August 2007). ["The Nature and Use of Yoga Props"](https://www.yogajournal.com/teach/the-nature-and-use-of-props/). _[Yoga Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Journal "Yoga Journal")_. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
17.  [↑](#cite_ref-EH_17-0) Upham, Becky (10 September 2019). ["Yoga Mats, Straps, Bolsters, and Other Props to Aid Your Practice"](https://www.everydayhealth.com/yoga/mats-straps-bolsters-and-other-props-to-aid-your-practice/). Everyday Health. Retrieved 25 July 2021. Medically Reviewed by Lynn Grieger, RDN CDCES
18.  [1](#cite_ref-YJ_test_18-0) [2](#cite_ref-YJ_test_18-1) YJ Editors (12 April 2017). ["Test Your Mat Savvy: 5 Teachers' Favorite Yoga Mats"](https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/test-mat-savvy-5-yoga-teachers-pick-favorite-mats-one-folds-size-napkin). _[Yoga Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Journal "Yoga Journal")_. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
19.  [↑](#cite_ref-Jain_2015_19-0) [Jain, Andrea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Jain "Andrea Jain") (14 August 2015). ["Five myths about yoga"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-yoga/2015/08/14/2b4c8638-41ce-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html). _[The Washington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")_.
20.  [↑](#cite_ref-20) Korpelainen, Noora-Helena (2019). ["Sparks of Yoga: Reconsidering the Aesthetic in Modern Postural Yoga"](https://somaesthetics.aau.dk/index.php/JOS/article/download/3320/2958/). _Journal of Somaesthetics_. **5** (1): 46–60.
21.  [↑](#cite_ref-21) Christensen, Alice (1979). _Easy Does It Yoga for Older People_. San Francisco and Cleveland: [Harper and Row](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper_and_Row "Harper and Row"); Light of Yoga Society.
22.  [↑](#cite_ref-Christensen_1999_22-0) Christensen, Alice (1999). _The American Yoga Association's Easy Does It Yoga: the safe and gentle way to health and well-being_. New York: Fireside Book. pp. 63–91 and throughout. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-684-84890-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-684-84890-7 "Special:BookSources/978-0-684-84890-7"). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [41951264](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/41951264).
23.  [↑](#cite_ref-23) ["About Lakshmi Voelker"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210310040428/https://getfitwhereyousit.com/about-lakshmi-voelker/). _Get Fit Where You Sit_. Archived from [the original](http://www.getfitwhereyousit.com/about_Lakshmi_Voelker_fitness_exercise.html) on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
24.  [↑](#cite_ref-24) Lehmkuhl, Lynn (2020). _Chair Yoga for Seniors : stretches and poses that you can do sitting down at home_. New York, New York: [Skyhorse Publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyhorse_Publishing "Skyhorse Publishing"). Introduction, page 8. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-5107-5063-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5107-5063-0 "Special:BookSources/978-1-5107-5063-0"). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1134762765](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1134762765).
25.  [↑](#cite_ref-25) [Feuerstein, Georg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Feuerstein "Georg Feuerstein") (2006). Jonathan Shear (ed.). _The Experience of Meditation_. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paragon House. p. 90.
26.  [↑](#cite_ref-CramerLaucheHaller2013_26-0) Cramer, Holger; Lauche, Romy; Haller, Heidemarie; Dobos, Gustav (2013). "A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Yoga for Low Back Pain". _The Clinical Journal of Pain_. **29** (5): 450–460\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1097/AJP.0b013e31825e1492](https://doi.org/10.1097%2FAJP.0b013e31825e1492). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [23246998](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23246998). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [12547406](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:12547406).
27.  [↑](#cite_ref-27) Macmillan, A. (2014). ["Quick Tips: What is Antigravity Yoga?"](http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/yoga/quick-tips-what-is-antigravity-yoga-.htm). _[howstuffworks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howstuffworks "Howstuffworks")_. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
28.  [↑](#cite_ref-28) Singh, Ayesha (21 February 2015). ["New Yoga Sutras"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2015/feb/21/new-yoga-sutras-720148.html). _[New Indian Express](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Indian_Express "New Indian Express")_. Retrieved 25 July 2020.