Yoga tools, or props, often help you get deeper into a pose or allow you to comfortably do a pose that would otherwise be too much for you. The Yoga Journal advises listening to your body and trying tools when they might improve your practice without becoming so attached that you cannot perform yoga without them.
Sticky Mat
The most famous and least controversial of the yoga tools is the sticky mat. The sticky mat, which is usually just called a yoga mat, is a thin mat made from textured material that keeps you from slipping during practice. The mats come in different colors; some are even made from recycled materials. You can double up mats for more comfort during seated and lying poses, though this makes standing poses, especially balancing ones, more difficult.
Yoga Block
A blue yoga block is likely the second most recognizable yoga prop, though they do occasionally come in different colors. Yoga blocks save you a few inches of stretching to reach the floor, making poses such as triangle possible for people with inflexible hamstrings. You may place the block sideways for more height or flat for a wider base. Sitting on yoga blocks is also common so less stress goes into the knees during seated poses.
All-Grip Yoga Brick
An all-grip yoga brick is similar to a block except for a hole in the middle which enables you to grip the brick like a handle. This makes it possible to keep your wrist straight in a neutral position, which is less stressful to the joint. It is also easier to balance holding an all-grip yoga brick rather than a block on its side. All-grip bricks don't work as well for lying flat or sitting on because of the hour-glass shaped hole.
Yoga Gloves and Socks
Yoga gloves are cotton gloves with the fingertips cut off like weight lifting gloves. The palms have textured, grippy material that simulates a yoga mat. Although yoga gloves won't keep your feet from slipping, they do allow you to work without a sticky mat, especially when paired with yoga socks. Yoga socks have the same texture on the soles of the feet as the gloves so that you can practice anywhere even if your mat is at home. Sometimes, even a yoga mat won't keep you from slipping if you sweat a lot. Yoga gloves and socks might be a better option.
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