Everyday Household Objects You Can Use in Your Yoga Practice
No $ for props? No problem!
Yoga props can seem like a luxury, especially if you live on a shoestring budget. Fortunately, you probably already own everything you need if you get a bit creative.
In fact, you may find that some of the “substitutes” you choose suit you better than branded gear. Experiment with the following everyday household objects during your next flow and experience new levels of challenge or relaxing bliss.
1. Pillows, Couch Cushions, and Blankets
I love my bolster. I also feel slightly guilty about it. While it was a justifiable purchase — I am a side sleeper who needs a solid knee divider for hip support — it was also expensive.
You can achieve the same perks with ordinary bed and throw pillows, couch cushions and folded blankets. In fact, these items may work even better, as you can gather a bunch before your practice and always have one within arms reach that’s like Baby Bear’s chair. Not too hard, not too soft, not too big, not too small. You get the idea.
Fold blankets multiple times to add the height and support you need. Couch cushions are usually firmer than throw or bed pillows, so use them where you need an extra boost of support, such as support for your hips and knees during supine twists. Squishy pillows are ideal for creating a soft reclining surface for meditation. Place them beneath your knees, your low back, or your head to elevate your savasana experience.
2. That Robe Sash
A robe sash is the perfect substitute for a strap. It’s soft and won’t cut into your skin, and it’s lengthy enough to facilitate lower body stretching even if they call you long-legged Hannah from Butte, Montana.
Some yoga straps have D-rings to create a closed loop. You can create a similar effect with your robe sash by creating a small loop at one end by tying a knot.
3. A Chair
You can perform some yoga flows right in your chair, but you can use this everyday household object to facilitate standard flows, too.
If you have severe lower back problems, for example, use a chair to modify forward folds. Instead of reaching for your toes, keep your spine straight and lean your upper body against your chair, creating an upside down “L” shape with your body. Focus on the stretch down the back of your legs without rounding your lumbar vertebrae.
4. A Wall
You could use a chair to help with balance, too, or simply head toward the nearest wall. Simply having something solid nearby might give you the courage to try tree pose, as you feel more secure that you can catch yourself if you start to feel wobbly.
Walls are also glorious for one specific pose — legs up the wall. Make this oh-so-good pose even better by using a wall to make it completely passive. Simply tune into the sensation of the blood flowing back up your legs after being pooled in your feet from long hours of standing or sitting still.
5. A Railing
A railing can work like a ballet barre, facilitating balance poses. You can also use it to perform variations of certain asanas.
For example, try a single-leg hamstring stretch by placing your foot atop the ankle and leaning forward from the waist. You can also improve your shoulder flexibility by grabbing the barre or railing with both hands and backing up until your torso begins to dip between your extended arms, focusing on the release in that upper arm joint.
6. A Frozen Water Bottle
Got back pain? We feel you. This trick sometimes helps me, especially after I’ve been rounding my back over a computer.
Use a frozen water bottle for a double-dip of pain-relieving goodness
in supported fish pose [1]. Be sure to wrap the water bottle in a towel so that it doesn’t freeze to your skin and cause painful ice burns.
7. A Hiking Stick
Are you a fan of taking your flows outdoors? I’m a bit of a nut; I’ve been known to kick off my shoes on bare desert rock and bust into a flow, usually just after or during a hike to work out some of the kinks that arise from all that stepping.
Use your hiking stick to brace your back if touching your toes hurts your back in standing forward folds. Brace yourself on it during balance poses. You might even consider it an “intermediate” step between a wall or a chair and performing balance poses unaided.
Yoga is all about getting to know yourself and your body, and it is not a race or a competition. You may always prefer more solid props in balancing poses, and that is totally okay — but if you want to experiment, treat your hiking stick like a big kids’ bike with training wheels.
8. Dryer Balls
If you have a muscle knot, a tennis ball can work wonders for easing it. However, putting your full weight on a tennis ball during restorative poses can result a bit too much pressure.
Instead, opt for one of those squishy dryer balls. As a bonus, it may smell heavenly if you
use essential oils [2] to freshen your laundry instead of harsh chemicals. It’s just soft enough to give but firm enough to notice.
9. A Towel and Towel Warmer
A towel can do triple duty. Place one on top of your mat during hot yoga, outdoor or particularly sweaty flows to keep from slipping on the perspiration slick when you hop back. Roll it up diagonally to create a long snake as a substitute for a strap. Cover yourself, or at least your torso, with it to preserve your agni heat when you lie in savasana.
Alas, a towel warmer, like my much-coveted weighted blanket, is one item my yoga repertoire lacks. However, if I did have a portable one, best believe I’d drag that bad boy out during my practice and indulge myself with a warm towel or two, just for the spa-like pampering effect. Aaah.
10. Your Partner/Child/Roommate
Yoga can be practiced solo, of course, but it’s also fun with friends. Plus, you can help each other gain flexibility by using each other’s bodies as props.
For example, increase your range of motion in a straddle or seated wide-leg forward fold by performing one opposite your partner. Sit an arms length apart and take turns supporting the other person as you pull their torso gently toward you.
Feeling creative? Want to strengthen your bond with your beloved? Try an acroyoga class and increase your sense of
trust and safety [3] through this beautiful partnered art and movement form.
Enhance Your Yoga Practice With Everyday Household Objects
There’s no need to max out your credit card on yoga props. If you’re on a budget, turn to everyday household objects to enhance your practice.
How do you use “nontraditional” props creatively in your practice? Let us know in the comments!
References:
[1] Lee, Cyndi. “3 Variations of Supported Fish.” Yoga Journal. August 15, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2026, from:
https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/modify-fish-pose-joy-contentment/
[2] Keasey, Matt. “Dryer Balls or Dryer Sheets: Which Is Better for You and Your Laundry?” Green Llama Clean. April 25, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2026, from: https://greenllamaclean.com/blogs/news/dryer-balls-or-dryer-sheets-which-is-better-for-you-and-your-laundry
[3] “Acroyoga explained: Meaning, benefits, techniques and popular partner poses.” Vinyasa Yoga Academy. Nd. Retrieved March 24, 2026 from: https://vinyasayogaacademy.com/blog/acroyoga-explained-meaning-benefits-techniques-popular-partner-poses/
