When starting a yoga routine, or for that matter any exercise or workout, you might think it is necessary to buy so much stuff. And that is so so far from being true. Most exercises require very limited equipment. In this article, we will discuss how you can start your practice with minimal yoga gear. You can obviously start buying all the fancy stuff, once you’ve committed to the practice.
Yoga Mat: This is the single most important equipment for all the yogis, beginners and experts alike. There are many options available in the market. You can shortlist the qualities that you are keen on. Some things to look out for are, the thickness, material, and color of the mat, the ease of keeping it clean, and the weight of the mat if you plan to carry it around. Also, if you’re new to the practice and want some help with the alignment, yoga mats with alignment guides are the best. These mats have markings on them, which help you learn the new poses correctly. For additional information, check out the different types of yoga mats here.
Yoga mat cleaner: Yoga mats harbor more microbes than you would anticipate. Even more so, if yoga mats are shared by multiple yogis. It is a good hygiene practice to clean your mat after every use. Buy now.
Yoga props: Yoga props make the practice easier, help you achieve better postures and avoid injuries too. With the constant evolution of yoga, we now have a wide range of accessories to choose from. Below mentioned are a few accessories recommended for beginners.
Yoga Blocks: Depending on the asana or the pose, these can be placed under the hands, feet or buttocks. They are very useful for beginners as they allow for modifications in case of difficult poses. Now, it is not necessary for you to buy these, you can use substitutes like a bookshelf or another suitable piece of furniture if you wish.
Yoga straps: Yoga straps are used to achieve poses that need extensive stretching and bending. They act as arm extensions to enable you to practice advanced asanas. Just like the blocks you can either buy it, or use something that you already own, like a towel, or a regular belt.
Yoga bolsters: This soft cushion, serves quite a few functions. It helps with easing yoga postures and giving additional support to any body part depending on the pose. It is particularly very useful in restorative yoga and prenatal yoga. You can use a big blanket, an old yoga mat or pillows as a substitute for bolsters.
Most studios and classes provide you with all the yoga accessories required. If you plan on working out at home, it is a good idea to gradually invest in these as you settle into the yoga routine.
Check out your choice of yoga accessories here.
