Sunday, January 27, 2008

Using Blocks, Chair and Swiss Ball as Props

Using a yoga block under your buttocks, feet, or hands helps you maintain proper body alignment during stretches so you can focus on deepening your stretch without pain. The cost of one block is usually around $10, and you can find blocks at most yoga studios or your local superstore.
If you love to shop online, hop on the Internet and type in yoga props and choose from the nearly one million sites that pop up.
Also, if you don’t want to invest in a block just yet, I bet you have a phone book sitting

A chair can add stability to standing stretches and can also help you get into stretches that require stress-free support of your torso. A chair is particularly useful for seniors or anyone with mobility issues. It’s also one of the best props to help a sedentary person get started with a flexibility program Make sure to use a sturdy chair without arms or wheels and that’s not too cushy.

No, the Swiss ball isn’t a ball of cheese. It’s similar to the chair, but it allows you to get into some stretches more comfortably than if you had to lie down on the floor. Lying with your tummy on the ball is great for stretching out your lower back, and using the Swiss ball to replace your chair at work helps you strengthen your core as you stretch out your legs and back. If you’ve never used a stretching ball before or if you just want some stretches that use the Swiss ball.

No comments: