The History of Yoga Straps

The History of Yoga Straps

The use of straps and belts as yoga props is closely associated with the development of modern yoga and, particularly, the teaching of B.K.S. Iyengar. Before purpose-made yoga straps were widely available, practitioners sometimes used ropes, belts, neckties, or other pieces of fabric as aids during yoga practice. According to Yoga Journal's history of yoga equipment, Iyengar developed a belt specifically for yoga in the early 1970s. These early yoga belts were made from strong cotton and used a sliding bar and metal buckle.

As yoga became increasingly popular outside India, purpose-made yoga straps became more widely available and manufacturers introduced different lengths, materials, widths, and buckle systems. The traditional belt design evolved into the modern yoga strap, with metal D-rings becoming a common choice as well as plastic or metal cinch and quick-release buckles. The availability of different lengths also made straps more practical for practitioners of different heights and for poses requiring larger loops.