What Equipment Is Needed For Yoga?
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY!
Whether you’re a tried and tested yogi or have always wanted to give it a go, today is a wonderful day to hop on your mat.
Five reasons people love yoga
With 60 million yoga-related posts trending on Instagram every day, what is it about this practice that has people so hooked?
Yoga is a known method of relieving stress.
It can help reduce neck pain, headaches and problems with sleep.
Some use yoga to lose weight.
Everybody is welcome.
Yoga improves posture.
Have we convinced you to try yoga? If so, why not book a yoga class at one of our gyms?
A quick guide on yoga equipment
An internet search into what yoga equipment you might need will leave you positively frazzled. There’s so much out there, so to make it easier, let’s go through the essentials you need as a beginner, followed up with some ‘nice to haves’.
What should a beginner get for yoga?
There are five essential yoga supplies that every yogi needs, whether you’re attending a class, practising at home or outside:
Yoga mat
These are invaluable to protect you from slipping during practice. It also acts as a nice cushion separating you from the floor. Every yoga session should end with a savasana or corpse pose when you lie down and stay as still as possible. Other poses, such as Balasana (baby pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose) and some variations of Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose), also mean your face is either touching or is very close to the floor. Yoga mats keep you comfortable and clean.
Yoga blocks
Every beginner should invest in yoga blocks. Yoga is an art form you need to practice, training your body to get deeper into poses to feel the full benefit. Yoga blocks help you achieve this. Can’t reach the floor? Yoga blocks. Worried you’ll topple over when attempting Bakasana (crow pose)? Yoga blocks. Struggling with balance? Yoga blocks. You get the picture.
Water bottle
Many people mistake yoga for an exercise that won’t work up a sweat. This is not the case, especially for beginners. A water bottle is essential when attending a yoga class to stay properly hydrated.
Yoga strap
This is an essential piece of yoga gear in the same way a yoga block is. It can help you gradually go deeper into a pose for a more effective stretch. Straps can also help you achieve the correct alignment and increase flexibility.
Comfy clothes
You’ll see a lot of influencers wearing thin yoga trousers for their practices. But beginners don’t need to dress similarly or invest in an entirely new wardrobe. The more comfortable you are, the better your experience will be.
‘Nice to have’ yoga supplies
We are sure that you’ll be hooked on yoga after a few sessions . As you try new practices and find your favourite poses, you’ll undoubtedly want to add to your yoga equipment. The following aren’t essential to practice yoga, but many people invest in them once they become dedicated yogis.
Yoga cushion
These are an excellent investment if you don’t feel comfortable in a seated position. They elevate you slightly for a more comfortable seat. Yoga cushions are also fab to use during savasana.
Yoga blanket
This has the same purpose as a cushion, but you can change the thickness through folding. We love wrapping them around us during savasana too.
Yoga bag
Yoga mats get dirty, so regular cleaning is a must. A yoga bag is a great place to store your mat in between sessions. It also protects it from dust and any other dirt when travelling to a yoga class. These bags usually come with straps making carrying a lot easier too.
Yoga towel
Remember when we said that you’d sweat during yoga? Well, a yoga towel absorbs the sweat, protecting you from slips. It will also stop your mat from slipping under you. If you plan to use a yoga mat provided by your gym, we recommend placing a towel on top for hygiene purposes.
Yoga socks
Another piece of yoga equipment that will prevent you from slipping during practice. They are also super comfortable and are perfect for people who don’t like going barefoot at the gym.
Yoga wheel
A yoga wheel may look daunting, but it’s an excellent piece of yoga equipment to have if you need to release tension or want a much deeper stretch.
While it’s easy to get sucked into the fun of shopping and buying any and every piece of yoga equipment, we recommend purchasing only the essentials when first starting out. The rest are great options for people to buy as gifts as you fall more and more in love with the art of yoga practice.
We hope you have a wonderful International Yoga Day. Don’t forget to book a class to avoid disappointment. Namaste.
