Practicing yoga with the accurate equipment and accessories does wonders. Whether you are a beginner or a trained yogi, adapting yourself to the proper equipment can be really helpful in improving your alignment. Yoga equipment’s play a crucial role in keeping your body injury free, it is also used in modifying difficult poses and keeps you comfortable while you enjoy your yoga.
Generally, trainers don’t advise beginners to invest more in yoga equipment as emphasis is more on getting the foundation of yoga perfect. But as you progress along with seriousness, putting money into quality yoga equipment will turn out to be more significant.
SEVEN MUST HAVES
1. Yoga Mat: A good quality yoga mat should be the first in your list. Always remember to buy a non slippery mat with a solid grip for hassle free practice. Your mat should have comfortable cushioning and light weighted. Go for mats which have gripping on both the sides. The upper grip holds you firm while performing a difficult pose and the grip downward securely holds the floor.
2. Yoga Blocks: Next in the list are yoga blocks. Choose the right material and the right size while selecting your block. Mostly newbies go for foam based blocks as they are light weighted and pocket friendly. Regardless of whether you are a novice or yoga specialist, having yoga blocks available will help you incredibly in adjusting yoga poses, and improving balance. You will also have the option to rehearse difficult poses comfortably without injury.
3. Yoga Strap: This convenient equipment is used for wrapping yourself firmly for extending the impact of some stretches. Straps are also utilized as a prop for specific exercises making them additionally challenging. Mostly yogis used straps for improving poses and also to provide stability for arms.
Select a yoga strap with the right length for a comfortable grip. Taller people generally consider a longer strap. Straps come with two types of closures: buckles and loops, select the one which your trainer suggests. Lastly, go for a good quality material which is durable and sturdy.
4. Yoga Cushions & Pillows: These soft padded cushions bring you ease while practicing yoga. It gives you the comfort of a major cushion and causes you to feel sheltered and comfortable during your yoga practice. This is an incredible thing to have for a relieving and healing yoga experience. These are mostly used in the therapeutic forms of yoga such as the pre-birth yoga, healing yoga, restorative yoga, and yin yoga.
There are various types of cushions, pillows, and bolsters available for you in the yoga world. Some of the basic ones are the standard yoga bolsters, zafu meditation cushions, zabuton, and the crescent cushions. Each of these has it’s own unique feature providing you comfortable support.
5 . Yoga Foam Rollers: Foam rollers are the next useful thing in the list. They provide additional help during difficult poses and can also be utilized to massage your muscles after a hectic training. Medium-thickness rollers are extraordinary for newbies to use during yoga, while denser picks can be used for a much difficult workout. The length of the roller will figure out what sort of utilization you can receive in return; longer rollers are best for rubbing, while shorter rollers are more portable. Rollers also help in reducing the body soreness after an intense practice.
6. Sand Bags: Yoga sandbags, another fine equipment for your stretching session. The added weight is exactly what you need for a deeper stretch or for adding slightly more resistance. Some of the yoga sandbags are ready to use and some; you can modify and load up yourself with sand, beans, rice, or whatever else you may like. Sandbags provide stability while helping you to hold a difficult posture. They're ideal for a wide range of yoga, especially Anusara, Iyengar, and Restorative practices.
7. Yoga Chair: Yoga chairs are a great option for older people making yoga less stressful putting lesser strain on the body. Generally, yoga chairs are of a great help in attaining more flexibility in your yoga practice. You can stretch, bend, twist, and move freely during your session.
Yoga Accessories: Other than the above mentioned equipment’s there are certain accessories which need to be taken care of:
Proper Clothes: To stay focused and comfortable during your yoga practice you need a good pair of yoga pants. Remember to always go for comfortable and skin tight pants. This gives you a fine stretch. Your leggings or pants should go with a nice tank top or a sports bra (for women). A simple tee shirt is the best to have for both men and women.
Yoga towel: A must have because you are going to sweat a lot.
Water bottles
Yoga Bag for keeping your things.
What if you are practicing outdoors?
It might happen that you are having your session on that bright sunny day. In this case, there will be a few additions to your yoga accessories.
Sturdy yoga mat.
Sun protection like your sunscreen and bandanas.
Water bottle
Bug spray cause you might be practicing on grass.
REMEMBER
It is very important to consult your trainer before buying any yoga equipment. Beginners generally don’t require advanced yoga equipment. Only a few basic ones can be of great help. But as you progress in your practice you might require shelling out some money.
Happy Stretching!
Nida Zakaria