Published November 1, 2026 05:05AM
I had been practicing yoga for years before I discovered the magic of lugging my own mat to class.
Before that, I’d simply borrowed the cheap but convenient studio mats that were available for use. I considered myself too lazy to grapple with a heavy mat as I hauled it from the car to the studio and back again. But following some serious thought about functionality and germ exposure after I ended up with plantar warts (I mean, think about it), I decided it was worth the trouble to practice on my own sturdy mat.
And it was. I found more stability in standing poses from the mat’s refusal to slide or wrinkle on the floor, benefited from its extra grippiness in twists and backbends, and appreciated its additional cushioning in seated poses. It’s no exaggeration to say practicing on my own mat revolutionized my studio experience.
But I didn’t stop there. Following that experience, I began to look askance at other props in the studio—namely, blankets, bolsters, blocks, and straps—which appeared as broken in (or broken down?) as those loaner mats. And, I suspected, just as germy.
So I started bringing my own props—and my own germs—to class. Well, within reason. No sandbags or headstand bench, obviously. But I did load myself up before each class with the basics, including a blanket, strap, and block. If I was heading to a yin or restorative class, I brought my own bolster, too. I’d find my own comfort and marinate in my own sweat, thank you.
I’ve been doing this for 20 years. Beyond basic hygiene, the benefits of using my own props include functionality. Before you say blocks are blocks and blankets are blankets, they come in a dizzying array of shapes and materials, not to mention designs and colors. Do I want a foam block? Wood? Cork? Recycled materials? Purple? Pink? Black? Would my hands rather settle on a support that is rectangular, circular, oval, or square?
And as for a blanket, am I more of a pressed wool “yoga blanket” person or is a pretty “Mexican blanket” more my style? And don’t get me started on bolsters, with nearly infinite options for shapes and styles.
When I curate my DIY yoga props each class, I’m arming myself with props that I’ve worked with before and that strategically suit my body and take me even further into my practice. And because they are set to my preferences, I know them well enough to put them to effective use in a nanosecond.
My strap, for instance, is knotted in strategic locations, including one that makes it easy for me to reel in an errant back leg in my much-practiced Natarajasana (Dancer Pose). When that stays consistent from class to class, it makes it easier for me to find my version of the posture, which in turn means my focus can remain on the demands of the pose rather than fumbling with a strap or figuring out the height to adjust my block.
And although it’s about so much more than looks, it’s also about the looks. I just like having something pretty and functional and familiar surrounding me during my practice. My black mat, purple knotted strap, cork block, and wildly beautiful purple, orange, and teal bolster fit me to a T.
What matters is that by the time I’ve arranged the props around my mat, I’ve built what looks and feels like a cocoon of comfort. I’m no longer practicing in a gym-like room with a bunch of strangers. Rather, it’s as if I’m in my own private studio with my own private equipment among my own private germs. Yoga feels best when it also feels safe.
