Using strap or towel as props

A stretching strap is a length of slightly elastic material that you can use to increase your reach. Many brands have several loops in which you can place your hands or feet to customize the strap to your height and flexibility. This elasticity helps increase your chance of achieving a comfortable, passive static stretch for a variety of muscles. No matter what the stretch, a strap can also help keep your upper back relaxed, which keeps your spine in neutral position and avoids scrunching or rounding of your back. A yoga strap is another prop that you can use and it’s usually made of cotton and comes in 6- or 8-foot lengths. Yoga straps typically don’t have the loops usually found on stretching straps. Instead, a yoga strap has a buckle that allows you to create a loop in one end of the strap. The 6-foot strap will probably be long enough for most of you, but if you’re over 6 feet tall, you may want to try the 8-foot length. These straps are easy to find on the Internet or at a local yoga center.
A towel isn’t as customizable as a stretching strap or a yoga strap, but it’s a great substitute if neither of the straps is available or if you simply don’t want to spend the money. A hand towel is a little small, so use a gym towel or small bath towel to have plenty of length to work with. But if you plan on making stretching a permanent part of your fitness routine (which I highly recommend), purchase a strap of your own. It’s a small investment of less than ten bucks, and you won’t regret it.