Unlike any other sport, yoga isn’t really tied to a designated location or any specific equipment. For thousands of years there was no yoga equipment. At its core, yoga is all about connecting the body and the mind. Even just sitting and breathing mindfully is a form of yoga, which means you can do yoga wherever you want, whenever you want it. However, there are certain products that can really help in making your yoga experience much more comfortable.
Today there is a wide range of yoga equipment online. In fact, the market is flooded with it and you can easily find quality yoga equipment online at a very low price. Buying yoga equipment doesn’t make you a slave to objects because it is affordable to anyone and you don’t have to go through any trouble to get it. Of course, you shouldn’t overdo it. There are certain items that you could call “essential” and there are some that you don’t actually need. That being said, here is a list of some of the basic yoga equipment that could make your practice more comfortable and help you in finding your inner peace.
Let’s star off with clothing. Basically anything that’s comfortable and breathable will do, but here are some useful tips. When doing yoga, you will sometimes find yourself in an upside down position and a loose shirt can slide down so, wear a shirt that is a little form-fitting. Leggings are popular among women, though loose pants are also fine. Men mostly wear shorts, but a lot of them wear pants as well. As far as shoes go, you don’t need any. Most often, yoga is done barefoot.
Yoga mats are one of the most common piece of yoga equipment. They are mostly used in gyms and yoga studios mainly because they help define your personal space, but what’s even more important, yoga mats provide traction for your hands and feet so you don’t accidentally slip, especially when you get all sweaty. Another benefit from yoga mats is that they provide a certain degree of cushioning on hard floors. Although gyms and yoga studios usually have mats for rent, they are used by a lot of people and you can’t really be sure how clean they are which is why its is best to have your own mat. Premium mats tend to be costly, but you can buy a starter mat for a fairly cheap price.
Yoga bolsters are a special type of pillows that help support your body and relax in many different poses. They are a great prop for beginners because they help stay in certain poses for a longer time and still be comfortable. This way you can focus more on your mind and not on whether you are comfortable or not.
Yoga straps are another great prop for beginners who aren’t that flexible yet. They are very helpful during poses where your arms can’t quite reach your feet or other body parts. Yoga straps are a sort of an extension of your limbs.
An awesome prop that is suitable for all levels are yoga blocks. They are used as a hand and foot rest when you are not able to reach the floor during certain positions. Yoga blocks also help support your body and keep it properly aligned.
You can find a ton of other yoga equipment online, some of which is very helpful, some not as much, and some is just convenient. As you gain experience you will find out for yourself which of them you really need.
