Props For Practice
You can repurpose items you already have at home. Roll up a dense cotton or wool blanket to the measurements below and wrap with duct tape, use a belt or scarf as a strap. A hardcover book can serve as a block. While there’s no perfect substitute for a sandbag, they are optional and are used occasionally throughout the series of classes.
- Straps: Any 6′ strap with or without a D-ring buckle. There’s a wide variety available.
- Blocks: Foam blocks should measure 9” x 6” x 3”.
- Sandbags: Sandbags can be purchased empty and then filled with play sand to about 9 pounds. Every inch weighs ~1 pound. Pre-filled options like Hugger Mugger are okay, but they are not cotton and have a rigid feel. Unfilled sandbags are readily available and can be filled yourself.
- Bolsters:
- 100% cotton filling provides density and weight.
- Don’t scrimp on any other filling.
- Always buy round or cylindrical (NOT rectangular).
- Bolster size: If you are 5’7” or taller, go for the 10” X 28” bolster, but the 8” x 26” is a good universal size and works for most body types but longer is better. New bolsters may initially feel too large, but the cotton will compress over time. To accelerate the process, store your bolster under some weight. If it still feels too big, remove a few inches of cotton, redistribute the best you can, zip it up, and step on it to even it out.
- My preferred brand 10″ x 28″
- My preferred brand 8″ x 28″
- Another good bolster source