Kaiut Yoga Boulder Teams Up with Melton Design Build to Create Custom Wooden Yoga Props
At Kaiut Yoga Boulder, we’re always paying attention to the details that support our students’ long-term health—and that includes the props we use every day in practice. This winter, we partnered with Melton Design Build to design and build custom wooden yoga props specifically for our studio.
The project came together ahead of a January training intensive led remotely by Francisco Kaiut, founder of the Kaiut Yoga method. Our goal was to create props that truly reflect how we work with the body: supportive, precise, durable, and thoughtfully made.
Props Designed for the Kaiut Yoga Method
In Kaiut Yoga, props aren’t accessories—they’re tools. The way a block supports a joint, the angle of a wedge, or the stability of a balance board all matter. Working closely with the team at Melton Design Build, we designed each piece to meet our exact preferences for size, shape, and function.
Along with traditional rectangular yoga blocks, we created custom wooden wedges and balance boards that support specific movements and positions used in the Kaiut Yoga method. Each piece was designed to feel solid, balanced, and reliable, so students can focus on sensation and awareness rather than adjusting or compensating.
Crafted Locally, By Hand
All of the props were built locally in Melton’s workshop, with their carpentry team handling every step—from milling and shaping to sanding and finishing. Each piece was made by hand with careful attention to surface feel, proportions, and overall balance.
This project also served as a hands-on learning opportunity for Melton’s carpenters. Creating precision yoga props required a different approach than typical construction work, involving refined milling techniques and specialized finishing processes. We loved knowing that our studio needs could also support skill-building and craftsmanship within a local team.
Why We Chose Beetle Kill Pine
Sustainability is an important value for us, and material choice matters. Our blocks, wedges, and balance boards were crafted from beetle kill pine—wood sourced from forests impacted by pine beetle infestation.
Using beetle kill pine helps give purpose to trees that might otherwise go unused, while supporting broader forest management efforts. The material also brings warmth, durability, and natural variation, making it a beautiful and practical choice for daily studio use. Melton’s commitment to responsible material sourcing aligns closely with our own values around longevity, care, and conscious decision-making.
This collaboration is a great example of what we love about working locally: shared values, thoughtful design, and people who care deeply about their craft. We’re grateful to Melton Design Build for helping us create props that will support our students, teachers, and trainings for years to come—and we’re excited to keep building community through partnerships like this.
