A GUIDE HOW TO USE YOGA STRAP
Guide: The Yoga Strap
The multi-purpose tool of yoga! Straps help yogis get deeper in their asana, create traction, extend or lengthen your reach and assist with balance. Providing yourself with extra space opens up possibilities and ranges of motion to all levels of yogi - from sinking further into a stretch to accessing an advanced bind you haven't quite been able to nail yet. Yoga straps are a practical tool when working to increase flexibility or opening up tighter muscles.
We offer 2 varieties of yoga strap - the AligN and the unfoLD. Both are with metal buckles - making them more secure and versatile than the looped ones you can find on the market - and come in various lengths, widths and colors.
How to use yoga props: Which length is best for me?
If you're using a strap to lengthen your reach in a pose where the final asana is just out of reach, the shorter length should suit you. If you're doing a restorative practice, then a longer strap will give you more options. If you are attaching your strap before moving into a pose a longer version will give you the ability to attach and move without losing hold of the strap. The straps come in lengths 182cm, 243cm and 304cm (6ft, 8ft and 10ft).
What is the difference between the Manduka AligN and the unfoLD yoga strap?
The AligN yoga strap is an advanced strap, modeled after the original strap design of the legendary BKS Iyengar. Equipped with a Manduka proprietary buckle and a secure interlocked system to eliminate slipping and provide support in even the most challenging positions. No time wasted - easy to buckle and unbuckle. Made with 100% natural, unbleached cotton for eco-friendly, comfortable grip and sturdiness. Offered in two lengths 243cm or 304cm. The Align strap is the widest of the two options at 4.5cm, this provides a larger surface area when pressing against your body and thus causes less digging into the body when pulling tight.
The UnfoLD yoga strap is a perfect entry level strap great for beginners who need help with flexibility or intermediate yogis looking to try new positions. Slightly narrower at 3cm and thinner than the more traditional AligN Strap, the Unfold strap is perfect for on the go. It’s a square profile strap with an innovative sure-secure buckle that holds tight. Made from 100% recycled polyester. Comes in two lengths 182cm or 243cm. The polyester blend is used to strengthen the tensile strength of the strap and ensure the cotton does not stretch when pulled. The Align strap is thick and wide enough that the 100% cotton construction does not stretch and thus is not required to have a polyester mix.
Benefits to using a yoga strap
- Improve flexibility and refine alignment & form.
- Help to stop you “overreaching” in poses and inadvertently tensing your body.
- With a strap, you can hold deeper into an asana without compromising your form, allowing you to release, relax and breathe into the pose.
Tips when using a strap
Be mindful that the strap is not there to help you pull your body further which will invite tension across the neck and shoulders. But instead it is there to give you stability and security in a position where you might lack a point of contact. Whatever the pose, try to maintain a soft grip keeping your shoulders and neck soft.