Yoga straps aren’t quite as common as blocks. You may wonder what that belt looking thing is for. Straps are great no matter where you are at in your yoga practice. If you don't want to go out & buy one, check here for some alternative items to use.

For beginners, they help make many poses more accessible and ensure proper alignment. As you advance through poses, they offer support as you flow into poses that would otherwise be inaccessible to you. They help keep your muscles from tensing up, allowing you to go deeper into the pose & keep you safer. They also help keep you from pushing yourself too hard. We push & push throughout our daily lives & our other workouts. Pushing like that during yoga can cause injury to your body – the exact opposite of what you’re probably looking for!

Here are a few ways yoga straps can enhance your yoga practice.

Correcting Alignment

Straps can help with keeping your back straight instead of rounding. They also will help with correct hip placement. It allows you to feel what the pose should feel like so you can practice it safely.

• Hero Pose – by placing the strap around your upper thighs it will help with hip alignment. Often, our hips are tight & want to roll out to the sides.

• Seated Forward Fold – placing a strap around your feet & holding on to it, will allow you to keep a straight back instead of rounding it. The goal of the pose Is not to round your back to go deeper, but to keep a straight back.

Deepening

Another benefit is they help you deepen your pose without sacrificing alignment.

• Warrior 2 – if your shoulders & chest are tight & it’s hard to hold your arms out straight, use a strap to hold on to, opening your chest.

• Standing Forward Fold with Arms Bound Behind – when your chest muscles are too tight (we are constantly rounded forward from being on devices) the strap can help open up the chest allowing your arms to relax behind you.

Lengthening

Straps also help keep your spine from compressing. A common yoga cue is to lengthen the spine. Using the strap can help with that in some poses.

• Reclined Big Toe Pose – this is a laying version of Seated Forward Fold. By using a strap instead of just reaching for your toes, your back will stay straight & long with your hips aligned properly.

• Boat – Using the strap to hold your legs up will also help you keep your spine long.

So, who are straps for?

They’re for all my bad ass bitches out there looking to be true to their bodies and where they are in their life.

May you always stay true in your intentions, true to your hearts desires & speak loving truth to those around you. Love ya!