Yoga Straps:
Differences, Uses & Maintenance
Yoga Straps are extremely useful tools when it comes to flexibility. They stretch tight hamstrings after a long run, assist you in finding the length in a difficult yoga pose, and can help keep your arms together in a hand stand.
They give you control in a pose that you find it hard to grasp. Slowly and completely stretching out your body, you can enjoy the feeling of extension. When in a difficult pose, stretching your limbs to their limits, yoga straps aid you to relax into the pose for a more effective and deep stretch.
“Yoga straps will help you become more flexible and help you to learn difficult poses.”
Attempting certain poses without the assistance of a strap may result in incorrect alignment and you won’t receive the natural benefits of the pose.
Different Types to Chose From:
{10 ft option}
NO RINGS OR BUCKLE:
Yoga straps, especially longer ones, are perfect for yoga newbies to aid in difficult poses. Overtime, they’ll help you achieve the full pose without a strap by improving flexibility and the correct alignment.
The benefits to having a strap without any plastic buckles or rings is it won’t complicate your yoga practice. There isn’t a need to make adjustments to your strap and you won’t have to worry about making a ruckus when you accidentally drop it during class.
Another advantage would be the avoidance of any breakage or bending to the end pieces of your straps. In the rare occurrence, some adjust pieces do meet their end when handled incorrectly (meaning don’t take cutting shears to your strap).
{6, 8 & 10 ft options}
CINCH BUCKLE:
The tightly woven strands of cotton and anti-slip cinch buckle ensures superior rigidity and performance while incorporating organic fibers. This yoga strap is the most popular option because it’s easily adjustable using one hand, allowing you to stay in a pose without disruption.
{6, 8 & 10 ft options}
D-RING:
The D-ring closures are easy to use and secure, supporting dozens of yoga postures without slipping, breaking, or bending. A D-ring strap is perfect for taller yogis, or those who prefer the extra length . The benefit to a D-ring strap is the durability compared to that of a plastic adjustment piece.
{6 & 8 ft options}
PINCH BUCKLE:
Locking your strap in place, the durable plastic pinch buckle is fully adjustable for a quick and effective adjustment. Easily used one-handed while in a pose, the thick cotton texture (of all our straps) won’t slip out of sweaty hands.
You’ll know when this strap is securely in place when you hear the “click” as both ends come together. Further adjustments can be made throughout your practice as well, without a need to disconnect the ends.
Using Yoga Straps
FLEXIBILITY:
Encourage your legs to come to you by creating a pressure against the bottom of your feet in a seated forward bend (each hand grasping an end of the strap, wrap around your feet and pull yourself toward your toes). Keeping the spine straight and back flat, you can improve your flexibility without sacrificing the alignment of the pose.
ALLOWING CONTROL:
Use your strap to control your arms in a handstand, not letting them venture too far out when inverting upward. Making an adjustable circle with your strap, enclose the circle around the distance of your arms about an inch or two next to your ears. Prepare for a handstand, tightening the circle around your arms (above or below the elbows) and . . . GO! Enough times and your arms will remember the proper alignment.
CONQUERING POSES:
Give yourself the length you need when entering a difficult pose. With practice, your body will begin to adjust to your strap… allowing you to make tighter adjustments as needed.
“Think of the possibilities! A yoga strap could help me eventually lift my leg higher and pull it closer towards my head.”
In Dancer, as shown above, enclose the strap around your ankle and use the arm reaching back to pull the strap towards you, helping your leg slowly lift higher as well as closer to your head. As you face forward, with your glance over your other straightened arm, your body will naturally relax into the pose, giving you the capability to soon perform this pose at your best without the use of a strap.
Maintenance
CLEANING:
Made of 100% Dense Cotton, yoga straps are easy to wash and reuse an infinite number of times. A cold water setting on your washing machine, or even soaking them in a bucket full of soapy water for a few days will get you the best results.
To dry your strap, you may be unable to resist the urge to simply throw it in the dryer with the rest of your stuff. Simply note, the strap is cotton and may shrink a bit in length or width.
The safest way to dry your yoga straps are to either hang them to dry on a hook or over a plastic hanger. If you have no method to hang, roll your strap into a coiled circle like the video above and lay flat to dry.
USING:
The thick and durable 100% cotton material your yoga straps are made of makes it hard to say there are certain ways you should refrain from using them {Except for the obvious}.
Handle with care against your skin, as the thick material could cause a rug burn effect when used in a rough manner.
STORING:
Avoid the growth of mold within the cotton material of your yoga strap(s). Leaving to dry or storing in a dark, damp space where there is moisture in the air could cause little dark spots to form all over the material. These spots of mold are not easy to get out, if impossible, and leave a nasty smell.
Otherwise, yoga straps are durable enough to store just about anywhere!