Best Yoga Blocks, Straps, and Props for Beginners
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If you practice at home and you’re wondering which gear actually earns a place in your space, this guide to the best yoga blocks and straps (plus bolsters, blankets, and mat towels) is for you. It’s written for beginner-to-intermediate yogis who want honest recommendations, not a pile of gadgets. We’ll cover what to look for, who really needs each prop, and a few picks worth your money.
First, a myth worth retiring: props don’t make your practice “less real”
Somewhere along the way, props got a reputation as a crutch. They’re the opposite. A block under your hand in Triangle doesn’t shrink the pose, it brings the floor up to meet you so your spine can actually lengthen instead of collapsing. A strap lets you hold a bind you can’t yet reach, so your shoulders learn the shape safely. Props make poses more accessible and often more challenging, because you can finally find the alignment the pose is teaching. Every experienced teacher you admire uses them. If you’re newer to the postures themselves, our guide to essential yoga poses for beginners shows exactly where each prop comes in.
Yoga blocks: the one prop almost everyone should own
If you buy nothing else, buy blocks. They support your hands, hips, and head across standing poses, seated forward folds, and restorative shapes.
Foam vs. cork vs. wood
- Foam is light, cushioned, and inexpensive. It’s kind to the wrists and easy to travel with. The trade-off is that it compresses under full body weight and can dent over time, so it feels less stable when you’re really leaning into it.
- Cork is the sweet spot for most home practitioners. It’s firm and stable, grippy even when your hands are sweaty, and it has a reassuring, solid feel. It’s heavier than foam and the edges are a touch firmer under bony parts, but it’s the one we recommend most often.
- Wood (usually bamboo) is the most durable and beautiful, and essentially permanent. It’s also the heaviest, the firmest against your body, and the priciest. Lovely if you want a block that lasts decades and lives in one spot.
Why two is better than one
Lots of poses are symmetrical. Think a wide-legged forward fold with a block under each hand, or supported Bridge and Fish where you want even, balanced lift. With a single block you’re constantly reaching for the one you don’t have. A matched pair is one of the highest-value upgrades a home practice can make.
Size
The standard block is the right starting point for most people. If you have smaller hands, limited flexibility, or you simply want a taller lift, the regular size still works well on any of its three heights (it gives you three support levels depending on which face is down). Taller or very open practitioners sometimes prefer a slightly larger block for a bigger platform.
Recommended picks: A quality cork yoga block, bought as a pair, is our default for most home yogis. Gaiam makes reliable, affordable foam and cork blocks that are easy to find, and Manduka offers denser cork and sustainable options if you want to invest once and keep them for years.
| Block type | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam | Travel, sensitive wrists, tight budgets | Light, cushioned, cheap | Compresses, less stable under load |
| Cork | Most home practitioners | Firm, grippy, stable, eco-friendly | Heavier, firmer edges |
| Wood | Permanent home setup | Extremely durable, beautiful | Heavy, hard, more expensive |
Yoga straps: your reach extender
A strap closes the gap between where your hands are and where the pose wants them. It’s invaluable for seated forward folds, reclined hamstring and hip stretches, shoulder openers, and holding a bind you can’t yet clasp.
Length
Straps commonly come in a few lengths. A shorter one is fine if you’re smaller or mainly want a reach aid. A longer strap is the more flexible choice because it loops easily around the foot for reclined stretches and gives you room to shorten up as you gain flexibility. When in doubt, go longer.
Buckle type
- D-ring buckles are quick to cinch and release and hold firmly under tension. They’re the most popular and the easiest for beginners.
- Cinch (plastic slide) buckles are lightweight and smooth, though they can loosen under heavy pull if the plastic is thin.
Who needs one: Anyone with tight hamstrings, shoulders, or hips, which is to say most of us. A strap is also gentler on the lower back than yanking yourself into a fold by hand.
Recommended pick: A sturdy cotton yoga strap with a metal D-ring in a longer length covers nearly every beginner need. Pros: cheap, durable, forgiving. Cons: cotton can fray at the very end over years of use, so look for finished edges.
Bolsters: the heart of a restorative practice
A bolster is a firm, supportive cushion that lets your body fully release in restorative and yin poses, supported backbends, reclined twists, and gentle hip openers. It’s also a quiet hero for anyone who’s pregnant, recovering, or simply wants to unwind before bed.
What to look for: Firmness that holds its shape under your weight (soft, floppy pillows don’t support you), a removable, washable cover, and a shape that suits your body. Rectangular bolsters give a broad, flat platform; round (cylindrical) bolsters give a deeper arch through the chest.
Who needs one: It’s more of a “nice to have” than blocks or a strap, but if restorative yoga is where you find the most relief, it’s the prop that transforms the experience. A yoga bolster is worth it once you know you love those slower practices. Pros: unmatched comfort and support. Cons: bulky to store, and the quality ones aren’t cheap.
Blankets: the most underrated prop you already own
A firm yoga blanket does more jobs than almost anything else. Fold it to sit on in cross-legged poses so your hips tilt forward and your lower back relaxes. Slide it under your knees, roll it under your neck, cushion your shoulders in Shoulderstand, or drape it over you in final rest. A dedicated Mexican-style or wool yoga blanket is wonderfully dense, but a firm blanket from your closet works beautifully to start. This is the easiest prop to add for the biggest comfort payoff.
Mat towels: for sweat and grip
A mat towel lays over your mat to absorb sweat and, in many cases, improve grip as you heat up. If you run warm, practice a vigorous flow, or do anything hot, a towel keeps your hands and feet from sliding.
What to look for: A microfiber towel sized to your mat, ideally with a textured or silicone-dotted underside so it doesn’t bunch. Some get grippier when slightly damp. Who needs one: hot-yoga folks and heavy sweaters, mostly. If you stay cool and dry, you can skip it. And if your mat itself is the slippery culprit, a towel is a bandage, not a cure, our guide to the best yoga mats for beginners can help you fix the real problem.
Cheap home substitutes (before you spend a dime)
You don’t need to buy everything at once. Try these first and let your practice tell you what to invest in:
- Blocks: a thick hardcover book or two, or a sturdy shoebox stuffed firm.
- Strap: a bathrobe tie, a long scarf, a belt, or an old necktie.
- Bolster: firm couch cushions, or two or three bed pillows stacked and folded inside a towel to keep them from sliding.
- Blanket: any firm blanket or beach towel folded into a dense rectangle.
- Mat towel: a regular bath towel works in a pinch, just know it’ll slide more than a purpose-made one.
The honest truth: substitutes get you started, but purpose-made props are more stable and safer once you practice regularly. Blocks and a strap are the two we’d upgrade first.
Where to start
If you want a simple shopping order: a pair of cork blocks, then a long D-ring strap, then a firm blanket you probably already own. Add a bolster when restorative practice wins you over, and a mat towel only if you sweat. That handful covers the vast majority of beginner-to-intermediate home practice. Want it all in one place? See our full yoga starter kit for beginners for a complete, no-fluff setup. Buy a little, practice a lot, and let your body tell you what to add next.
