Exploring the role of props in yoga for health outcomes: a systematic review and future agenda

Purpose: Yoga–an ancient science, combines physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote physical and psychological well-being. However, incorrect practice can lead to acute or chronic health issues like muscle strain, joint or ligament injuries, anxiety, or aggravation of pre-existing physical and psychological conditions. While props are increasingly used to support accurate and safe yoga practice, no systematic review has comprehensively evaluated their role in improving health outcomes. This study investigates how props enhance yoga practice and contribute to overall health and well-being, providing insights on the current state of this literature and highlighting avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 44 empirical papers were selected for review based on predefined inclusion–exclusion criteria, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to examine the role of props in yoga practices. Findings: This literature review indicates that while research on yoga props remains limited, existing evidence underscores their vital role in enhancing accessibility, alignment, and safety in yoga practice. Nonetheless, the reviewed studies reveal a lack of standardised protocols, clarity in prop specifications and applications, and uniformity in assessing yoga-related outcomes, emphasising the need for systematic and comprehensive research.