The beauty of yoga is that you do not really need any special equipment to practice it other than a small tranquil space. But many people find it hard to hold some poses. If they are like me, they might even find it hard to get into a pose, let alone hold it for a while.
However, there is no doubt that yoga can help with not just spiritual well being, but also with health conditions and physical fitness. Hence, the need for yoga props and furniture.
The Backbending Bench by Yoga Props facilitates back bends and other postures, especially helping you practice supported back bends and restorative poses.
There are two things that recommend the Backbender Bench: it is handmade in the U.S., and it was designed and built by yoga teachers. The bench is constructed from solid mahogany and features dovetail joinery. Beautiful and useful as it is, this is useful for only the serious practitioner as it is not exactly inexpensive.
The Water Hyacinth Meditation Chair from Gaiam is the right height, and adds interesting texture to a meditation space since it is hand woven. The water hyacinth plant is a renewable resource, and can be found throughout Southeast Asia. The chair is a fair trade product.
The chair sits just a few inches from the ground, so you have just the right height for sitting comfortably. The chair back provides comfortable support for your back, and it is attractive enough to be used in any room. The seat measures 27.5" x 27.5", while the back is 23.5"H.
A coordinating tray also woven the same way, is also available, but sold separately.
Zabuton is a Japanese cushion for sitting, and can be used on a chair or on the floor, while a zafu is a small cushion that can be placed on top of a zabuton for supporting the sit-bones and to make it easier to sit in the lotus position.
This zabuton and zafu set can be used for yoga, meditation or as props for exercise exercise to aid in sitting and kneeling asanas.
These can also be used as floor cushions, or anywhere else you may need a cushioned surface.
Beginners are encouraged to use props in yoga to reach and hold an otherwise difficult asana. And it is not just beginners, but also practitioners who might have injuries or physical limitations. Iyengar yoga encourages the use of props such as bolsters to help beginners achieve proper alignment.
This bolster comes from Hugger Mugger that has been making yoga products for a while.
Hugger Mugger was founded a Sara Chambers, a yoga enthusiast who is also an accomplished woodworker. She felt the need and developed wooden and fabric tools to help with her own practice, and gradually strted making them for other yogis as well.
This bolster can be used for restorative yoga poses, and is shaped as a rectangle with curved sides. The rectangle shape provides stability, while the curves provide comfort and ease of use. The covers are equipped with zippers, and feature a convenient handle at one end.
Yoga does not need to be practiced in a room. It can be done anywhere.
This bench facilitates meditating in any place you chose, whether you want to do it at the beach, in the woods, or just want to take it to your own back yard. Because the legs fold up, the bench can be carried anywhere. The folding legs also make it easy to store, should you need to do so.
Also from Hugger Mugger, the bench is made from birch plywood, and comes with a one-inch thick foam cushion. The cushion comes with a removable cover and is made from a washable and durable cotton fabric.
