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A few months ago I was in Greece for two yoga retreats. We had a larger group for the first week and I had planned a delicious yin class that heavily relied on each person having two cork yoga blocks, and two yoga bolsters. I went into the room to prep and realized at the last second that I didn't have enough props! I was panicking because yin was such an integral part of the yoga program and we really couldn't do the sequence without the props.
What was I supposed to do? Let it be first come, first serve? Haha, ummmmm no. Ask people to run back to their rooms to grab blankets and whatever else they could? Uh, no. (It was super hot, we didn't even have thick blankets, and a sheet definitely wouldn't work.)
As people filed into the room, I put on a smile and acted like I had everything under control. And as I started the class, I knew exactly what I'd do.
My solution when I realized I didn't have enough props for a yin class.
I had people "partner up" in terms of props. For example, one person would have the bolsters, and the other person would have the blocks. I started all the blocks people in supta buddha konasana with the blocks supporting the knees, and all the bolster people in supported savasana with their legs over the bolsters. Then, after a few minutes, they switched. We did the entire class like that - one group of students doing one pose, one group doing another.
Related How to use a yoga bolster and how to use yoga blocks
It wound up working so well and I just wanted to share with all my yoga teacher friends out there because I know it isn't easy having everything all planned out and then rolling up to the studio only to find you don't have as many props are you need. This is a great solution, in my opinion!
Let's talk Any tips or tricks you have for teaching classes? Don't forget, we have a whole section on our Yoga Forum for yoga teachers.