Socks, mats, and other props

Interesting to read the following in light of earlier comments (during classes that I was teaching) about taking off socks and doing standing postures directly on the floor:

There is a growing movement of ashtangis who are discouraging the use of mats for practicing Ashtanga Yoga. The theory behind the no-mat movement is that props “get in the way of practice” and since mats are props, they create a separation between us and the flow of our practice.

There are stories about how Ashtanga in the olden days was practiced without mats, directly on the floor - and the rougher the floor the better. Weathered yogis relate how they use to practice on packed earth (the dust creating some friction) or even gravel for the most advanced practitioners.

“It makes you feel closer to the earth, and does not bound your space. It is very liberating, and the gravel really toughens you up. I would not go back to mat yoga, it blocks my prana from flowing” commented a teacher who wished to remain anonymous for fear of litigation.

More and more Ashtanga yoga studios are going mat-less: will you be a part of this growing trend? [Source]