The Ultimate Guide to Yoga Props for Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful yet challenging journey, and as your body changes, so should your yoga practice. Using yoga props can enhance comfort, improve alignment, and support you safely through each trimester. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, props can help make pregnancy yoga more accessible and enjoyable.
Let’s explore the best yoga props for pregnancy and how to use them effectively.
Why Use Yoga Props During Pregnancy?
Your body is constantly evolving during pregnancy—your centre of gravity shifts, your ligaments loosen, and certain poses become more challenging. Props help by:
✔️ Providing stability & support
✔️ Reducing strain on joints & muscles
✔️ Allowing for deeper relaxation
✔️ Helping you modify poses as your bump grows
Must-Have Yoga Props for Pregnancy
1️⃣ Yoga Bolster – The Ultimate Comfort Tool
💛 How to Use It:
Place it under your back for gentle heart-opening stretches.
Use it for supported side-lying Savasana (since lying flat on your back isn’t recommended in later pregnancy).
Sit on it for hip-opening poses to relieve pelvic tension.
💡 Tip: A firm pillow or folded blanket works too!
2️⃣ Yoga Blocks – Extra Height & Support
💛 How to Use Them:
Place under your hands in lunges or forward folds to avoid overstretching.
Sit on a block in seated poses to lift your hips and relieve pressure on your lower back.
Use as support under your sacrum in gentle backbends.
💡 Tip: If you don’t have yoga blocks, try using thick books!
3️⃣ Yoga Strap – Better Stretching Without Overstretching
💛 How to Use It:
Loop around your feet in seated forward folds for a gentler stretch.
Use in shoulder stretches to release tension.
Support your legs in Restorative Yoga poses like Reclined Butterfly.
💡 Tip: A dressing gown belt works just as well!
4️⃣ A Sturdy Chair – The Ultimate Support for Balance
💛 How to Use It:
Hold onto it for balance in standing poses (hello, third-trimester wobbles!).
Sit on it for a gentle seated flow if floor work becomes uncomfortable.
Use it for supported squats to build strength for labour.
💡 Tip: Kitchen chairs work, just make sure they’re sturdy!
5️⃣ A Wall – The Most Underrated Yoga Prop
💛 How to Use It:
Stand near a wall in Warrior poses to feel more stable.
Use it for supported squats to prepare for labour.
Rest against it in Legs Up the Wall pose to ease swollen feet.
💡 Tip: This is one of the best free yoga props you’ll ever use!
Bringing It All Together: A Simple Pregnancy Yoga Flow with Props
Here’s a quick 10-minute sequence using props for extra comfort:
🧘♀️ Seated Forward Fold with a Strap (hamstring & lower back relief)
🧘♀️ Butterfly Pose with Blocks Under Knees (hip opening without strain)
🧘♀️ Gentle Lunge with Hands on Blocks (stretch without pressure)
🧘♀️ Supported Side-Lying Savasana on a Bolster (deep relaxation)
Taking just a few minutes each day to practice yoga with props can make all the difference in your pregnancy journey.
Final Thoughts: Your Pregnancy Yoga Toolbox
Yoga props aren’t just for beginners—they’re a game-changer for pregnancy yoga! Whether it’s a bolster for relaxation, a block for stability, or a chair for balance, using the right support can help you move with ease, breathe more deeply, and feel truly nurtured.
💬 Have you used yoga props in pregnancy? Which one is your favourite? Let’s chat in the comments!
📌 Want more pregnancy yoga tips? Explore our full library of on-demand classes inside The Yogi Fam Membership.