Essential Yoga Props for Your Yoga Studio

The Essential Props Checklist

Every studio needs a solid foundation of props that support the widest range of students and styles. These are the non-negotiables props that students expect to see when they walk in, and the tools that make yoga accessible for all levels.

Yoga Mats: Stock enough mats for full class capacity. This is a failsafe just in case. Depending on your students you may want to consider renting them for $1/class. Standard length yoga mats (72” x 24") works for most practitioners.

Yoga Blocks: Two per student ensures flexibility for both standing and seated postures. Standard size 4” x 6” x 9” and slightly, but noticeably, smaller 3" x 6" x 9" yoga blocks. Restorative and therapeutic types of yoga might use 3+ yoga blocks.

Yoga Straps: One per student; 8 ft is recommended for versatility and 10 ft can be beneficial for larger bodies but can also be cumbersome for most people and purposes.

Bolsters: One per student is sufficient for most classes; restorative-focused studios may want 2+ per student. Typically the rectangular shapes are standard while rounded bolster can still have value.

Blankets: Minimum one per student, two per student for restorative or therapeutic yoga. Mexican-style woven blankets are most common but really any durable, thick, and easy to clean blanket can work.

Meditation Cushions: One per student if offering seated meditation, gentler yoga classes, or workshops with extended floor sitting.

Support & Comfort Additions

Beyond the basics, some props bring extra depth to practice. They provide comfort, grounding, and therapeutic benefits that elevate your studio’s offerings.

Eye Pillows: Encourage deeper relaxation by blocking light, helping the nervous system shift into rest-and-digest mode. Ideal for Savasana, restorative yoga, and meditation. Studios should keep extras on hand to allow time for cleaning between uses.

Sandbags: Add grounding pressure that relaxes the body. They’re commonly placed on the thighs, feet, or shoulders to release tension. While 2 per student is sufficient for most studios, restorative-focused spaces may use more.

Chairs: Versatile for multiple uses: essential for Iyengar and chair yoga, helpful for accessible variations, and supportive for older students in gentle yoga classes. They should be armless chairs.

Studio Setup Essentials

Prop storage helps keep the flow of students and classes organized. These setup essentials keep your space running smoothly, clean, and welcoming. Our friends at Asivana have yoga prop storage solutions.

Storage Solutions: Organized shelving, cubbies, or racks keep props tidy and easy to access. Clear storage not only improves efficiency but also sets the tone of professionalism and care in the studio environment.

Cleaning Supplies: Maintaining hygiene is critical for student trust. Stock mat sprays, disinfectant wipes, and washable towels. Establish a regular cleaning routine and make supplies visible, so students know the studio prioritizes their health.

Water Access: A refill station supports sustainability and reduces your costs, while bottled water ensures accessibility for all students in case they don't have a water bottle. Both demonstrate hospitality and care for student wellbeing.

Optional / Specialty Props

Some yoga studios need specialty props, but not all, so adding a few unique tools can help you stand out. These are excellent for workshops, specialty classes, or serving niche audiences with specific needs.

Yoga Wheels: Great for building backbend confidence, improving spinal mobility, and offering playful variety. While not essential, they can be an exciting differentiator for workshops or specialty classes.

Resistance Bands: Useful in therapeutic yoga for rehabilitation, strength-building, and mobility-focused practices. They provide support or resistance to deepen poses and assist students recovering from injuries.

Foam Rollers: Commonly used in fitness and physical therapy, foam rollers integrate well into yoga for myofascial release and recovery. Often used by students before class starts, teachers may also find use during classes.

Aerial Hammocks: Specialized equipment for aerial yoga, providing both support and suspension. They open new programming opportunities but require additional training, setup, safety, and insurance considerations.

Sound Tools: Singing bowls, chimes, or gongs add a sensory and meditative layer to classes. While not essential, they elevate the overall studio experience and can enhance workshops or sound baths.

Final Thoughts

Props are an investment in your students’ experience. They transform a studio from a simple room into a sanctuary of practice. Start with the essentials, add specialty props as your offerings grow, and always match your inventory to the style of yoga you teach.

A well-equipped studio says: You belong here, and you are supported.

Opening or running a yoga studio means providing classes but it goes beyond that into creating an environment where students feel supported, safe, and able to deepen their practice.

A major part of that environment comes from the props you provide. Props are the tools that help students explore yoga more fully, whether that’s finding alignment in a posture, supporting the body in relaxation, or giving beginners the confidence to try something new.

This article outlines the core props every studio should have, optional additions depending on your studios offerings, and why these tools are worth the investment.

Why Props Matter in a Studio

Props bridge the gap between aspiration and accessibility.

A block under the hand in Trikonasana (triangle pose) helps a beginner find stability. A bolster transforms Savasana into a deeply restorative experience. Even advanced practitioners benefit from props by allowing refinement, deeper awareness, and safe exploration.

Having the right props also shows students that you’ve thought about their comfort and safety, which builds trust and strengthens community.