Essential Yoga Gear
Yoga gear for before, during and after class
Before you discover the positive benefits offered by yoga, which include increased flexibility, mood enhancement, muscle strengthening and better health, you might be wondering what kind of equipment you’ll need to get yoga’s full benefits.
What you’ll need
• Yoga mat - Thicker mats will provide more cushioning, but a mat that’s too thick can make it harder to stay balanced. A ¼ inch or 6.2mm mat is generally adequate. Sticky mats are perfect for gripping the floor. If you aren’t familiar with them they are just as they sound - sticky, which means they’ll hold tight to almost any surface. They also provide a better gripping surface for hands and feet. Yoga mats can be purchased for as little as $15.
• Comfy clothing - The same as with Pilates, yoga practitioners require clothing they can move in. It’s a good idea to wear a close-fitting shirt so you don’t expose yourself when you’re doing a downward dog. Pants can be a bit looser, but avoid slippery materials that can cause you to lose your hold in some poses. Yoga outfits have become increasingly fashionable as well as being functional so it’s easy to find clothes that work and make you look stylish.
Extras
Yoga has become as much about style as it is about . There are literally hundreds of brands selling thousands of styles of yoga bags, clothing, accessories and
• Yoga bag - Bags of all shapes and sizes are handy when it comes to carting your mat between home and classroom. Bags with a drawstring or full length zipper and roomy interior are a good choice. As are any with straps that you can easily sling over the shoulders.
• Props - Blocks, blankets, straps and ropes are used by beginner and advanced yogis for several reasons. Ropes are secured to a wall and allow the yoga practitioner to perform advanced bending, stretching and abdominal movements. Blocks are made of a lightweight foam and give support and height during different moves. Sand bags act as soft weights for the limbs or torso. Yogis use them to intensify stretches. Blankets are used for padding and comfort. Straps add length between limbs that can’t reach each other naturally. They would loop over the foot of a straightened leg and be held in one or both hands.
• Neti pot - This yoga accessory is not one you’d expect, but it offers benefits you might just come to rely on. A neti pot is a tool used to push salt water into one nostril, up through the sinus cavity and back out through the other nostril. The rinse, also known as nasal irrigation, removes allergens, pollution and other irritants, making you breathe easier during yoga practice. Neti pots have been used by yogis for thousands of years.