Yoga is not only a form of exercise, but it’s also a way to unwind which helps one to advance towards a better living. Do keep in mind that Yoga is not a religion, but a simple philosophy; one that is based on the idea of connecting the body and mind.
The fun thing about Yoga is that it is accessible to people of all levels and backgrounds despite whatever social media and current wear catalogs have to preach. Yoga sets a whole new lifestyle. It focuses mostly on breathing and mind relaxation, rather than refinement and balance.
Yoga mats are a must-have item for any class and have the power to either make or break your experience. Mats can be pricey that’s a given, but it’s a good investment as they good ones, such as the AGKupel Mat, tend to stick till the end. Even if you practice less than twice a week, you want a mat that will remain clean.
The material of the product should be thick and solid enough to protect your bones from getting crushed in difficult poses, but at the same time, they should not be so foamy that you sink or feel unstable. Go for a branded one – AGKupel and Harlington are well-known brands you can trust, and of course there are countless other brands you can choose from.
Yoga mats are like yoga poses; they vary in types and usage. There are mats that are very easy to carry and good for traveling. There are also some mats which are designed for a particular type of Yoga and also the amount you sweat! So, make sure you try before you invest your hard-earned cash. We’ve reviewed How To Choose Your Yoga Mats.
It should go without saying that most yoga studios want you to wear something to class, but you don’t need scores of printed yoga pants or designer gear to be accepted by your peers. Start with the comfortable, breathable athletic apparel you already have on hand, and purchase mid-level basics for anything you’re missing.
You can’t go wrong with a few pairs of solid-color yoga pants in black, dark grey, navy, or brown. You can mix-and-match these tights with a wide variety of tops, and if you purchase high-quality options, they can last a long time.
- If tight pants aren’t your thing, look for jogger-style pants or the popular harem-style pants that have elastic around the ankles. These pants are stretchy and offer a little extra room, but due to the ankle elastic, they’ll stay in place throughout your practice.
- Shorts are a popular option for guys, and they’re also appropriate for women, especially if you plan to try hot yoga. Just keep in mind, you may want to wear form-fitting spandex shorts or looser shorts with connected tights underneath because some poses require you to position your legs in a way that could leave you uncomfortably uncovered with looser, running-style shorts.
Tops:
It’s important to wear tops that are fairly form-fitting so your shirt doesn’t fly over your head during forward bends. Wicking material is helpful, especially if you tend to sweat a lot or if you plan on attending a hot yoga class.
Because yoga rooms are sometimes kept cool, you may want to bring a light cover up or sweater with you to class. You can wear it until class starts, and if you keep it by your mat, you can put it on before the final savasana.
Sports Bras:
If you’re a woman, make sure you wear a sports bra. While yoga tends to be a low-impact activity, a decent sports bra can help keep your “girls” in place as you transition between poses, making your practice more comfortable.
Hair Ties or Headbands:
Whether you’re a man or woman, if you have long hair, you need to secure it in place before you start class to prevent stray locks from falling in your eyes and face. A basic hair tie or headband should do the trick.
Yoga Socks:
To be clear, yoga socks are not a requirement to attend a class. In fact, it’s preferable to do yoga barefoot. That said if you can’t fathom the thought of taking your socks and shoes off in front of strangers, invest in a pair of yoga socks with grips on the bottom so you can keep your feet covered while maintaining good traction. Standard socks absolutely won’t do, as you’ll end up slipping and sliding all over your mat.
These days, you can buy yoga apparel practically anywhere, and it’s not unusual to see yoga pants priced at over £100. Don’t feel you need to lay out that much cash for a single pair of pants! Amazon.co.uk, and Bestyogashop offer quality options for well under £50. Buy a couple pairs of pants and a few tops, and you’ll be set for months.
As you commit yourself to your practice, you may decide to add trendy prints or styles to your wardrobe.
Optional Equipment
Yoga props are a boon to a fledgling yoga practice. Props allow students to maintain the healthiest alignment in a range of poses as the body bends, twists, and opens up. They also help you get the most out of each pose while avoiding injury.
You should familiarize yourself with the props described below, but you don’t need to buy your own (unless you’re starting a home practice) because they are almost always provided by studios and gyms.
If you own your own yoga mat, and you’re going to be lugging it back and forth to the studio on a regular basis, there’s a legitimate case to be made for purchasing a mat bag or sling. These accessories do exactly what they suggest—they make it easy for you to sling your rolled mat over your shoulder without it coming unrolled.
Slings usually use Velcro straps to bind your mat in its rolled configuration with a connecting strap you can throw over your shoulder. Slings sometimes offer additional pockets for storage, but not always. Bags, on the other hand, typically come in one of two styles. One version uses velcro straps to keep your rolled mat secure against a larger gym bag. The other version is essentially a snap- or zipper-closure bag specifically designed to hold your rolled mat. Both styles provide extra storage for clothing, wallets, cell phones, and the like.
The style and brand you choose really comes down to personal preference and budget, as slings can cost as little as £10, and heavy-duty bags can cost well over £100. For variety, check out Yoga Outlet, where you can find an array of brands at reasonable prices.
Yoga studios usually have stacks of blankets available for students to use during class. Grab one or two blankets at the beginning of class.
Folded blankets can be used to lift the hips during seated poses, or to offer support during lying poses. For instance, when you sit cross-legged, you can place a blanket under your sit bones to elevate the hips above your knees. Blankets come in handy for all sorts of things during class, and if it’s chilly, you can use them to cover up during the final relaxation.
For a home practice, there’s truly no reason to purchase new blankets. Simply use what you already have on hand around the house. If, however, you don’t own any extra blankets, YogaOutlet offers them for as little as $13.
When buying your first yoga block, you need to consider both size and material. Yoga blocks are made to better muscle flexibility, provide support, maintaining balance and provide comfort. For this, you need to be able to hold the block in your hand, so be sure to find the right size for you.
Average blocks are around 9 x 4.5 x 3 inches, but since none of us are exactly like the other, the sizes may vary. Blocks are made of materials such as wood, cork, and foam, and each has its texture and grip. For beginners, two blocks are considered to be beneficial to consider purchasing more than one to start with
Like blocks, yoga straps are vital to a beginner’s achievements. And like blocks, the straps help novice yogis perform poses with their bodies. If you feel intimidated by your surrounding students, just remember that this is what these tools are made for- TO HELP YOU! No one is born perfection and yoga is something that needs a tremendous amount of time and effort. You can’t just expect to be flawless on day one.
Some studios may provide straps, but it is beneficial to have your own for at-home practices or travel as well.
Bolsters
A bolster is a simple pillow that is built to help you breathe deeper and achieve better alignment during yoga positions. They are available in a variety of shapes and styles including a cylinder, rectangular and crescent-shaped. A bolster can be used to intensify your practice, bring certain poses within reach, break limitations, or simply relax.
Yoga Eye Pillow
Yes, believe it or not, an eye pillow is an essential for yoga beginners. But no, you will not be sleeping through the class! Mediation is a key component of yoga, and the class will usually conclude with a teacher’s segment called Savasana.
To maximize the results of your stress relief efforts during this meditation exercise, you should purchase (or make) an eye pillow.
Yoga wheels are a relatively new prop starting to gain a foothold in the yoga studio. These wheels are roughly 12-inches in diameter and are about four-inches wide. When set upright, you can lie back on the wheel or place a foot or hand on top of the wheel to deepen your stretches and enhance flexibility, slowly rolling the wheel farther as you relax into each stretch. Wheels can also be used in more advanced practices as a way to challenge stability or to offer support during challenging poses.
While it’s unlikely that you’ll need a yoga wheel as a beginner, you may want to consider a purchase down the line. Most wheels range in price from £40 to £60. Yoga Design Lab, for instance, offers one for £48.
Many studios sell water bottles, but you can’t always guarantee that this will be the case. Smaller, community-oriented studios may not have the resources to provide water at all, save what comes from the bathroom faucet. If you’re particular about your water and it’s important to you that it’s clean and filtered, then definitely bring your own reusable bottle and fill ‘er up beforehand.
Yoga Towels
Just like a water bottle, towels are greatly important when you’re engaging in a workout. Yoga is a sweat generator! And the thing about perspiration is that it doesn’t do justice to all. Some of us tend to sweat more than others. So take into account if you need to have more than one towel in hand. But also remember that perspiration is healthy. It means you are doing something right.
You can use a bath or beach towels, but their microfibers tend to shed on the mat. You don’t need to purchase a super expensive towel, but pay attention to how much you sweat. Expensive brands like Yogitoes and Jade offer excellent models. Less expensive and affordable brands include Gaiam and SOJA.
