Yoga Equipment – Beyond Your Body
May 19, 2009
Most Yoga practitioners find that their bodies are the only equipment they need. There are, however, some kinds of equipment that can enhance the Yoga experience.
Let’s start with attire. As with other sports, some types of clothing work better than others for Yoga. Some women like to perform their Yoga asanas in a leotard and tights, while some men choose shorts and a T-shirt.
The best attire for Yoga is an outfit that is slightly loose and doesn’t restrict the body in any way. For instance, yoga pants, which are loose-fitting and cut just above the ankles, have become popular for women in recent years.
Women may also want to wear a sports bra with a fitted top if they plan to do headstand poses. Remember that Yoga will work up a sweat just as much as if you were doing aerobics, so you might want to avoid sweats in favor of more breathable, lighter clothing. Don’t wear anything that’s likely to bunch up.
If you plan on a long-term commitment to Yoga, getting your own mat is probably a good idea. A mat will cushion you against a hard floor, and provide traction.
Many people like sturdy “sticky mats,” while those who do Yoga in heated environments prefer Yoga rugs that absorb perspiration. Some classes will provide or rent mats, but there’s always a question of cleanliness with “public” mats, even if you wipe them off with a towel afterwards (which you should). So a personal yoga mat almost can be considered essential equipment.
Beginners often find that yoga blocks are useful. These blocks measure 3 x 6 x 9, and can be made from wood or cork, but the most inexpensive are made of tough foam. Blocks enable you to reach where you should to perform a pose correctly; hence they should be able to support your weight. This added reach could be especially important for beginners who aren’t very flexible yet.
Yoga straps are used to allow you to reach your limbs for certain poses and to maintain the pose longer for greater flexibility. Yoga straps, also called yoga belts, are made out of nylon or cotton.
They come in six-foot, eight-foot and 10-foot lengths. Taller people will need longer lengths, naturally, while six-foot straps work well for people of average height. Yoga straps also come with a buckle that allows you to loop the strap around a limb or make the strap shorter if needed.
Yoga blankets and towels serve as useful props to support certain poses. They also can be used for comfort and warmth during the ending relaxation period, when the body rests and body temperature drops.
Many people often overlook a key piece of equipment for Yoga: a water bottle. Sometimes even the most veteran practitioner can forget that as physical exercise, Yoga will make you sweat.
Staying well hydrated is important for the body to flush out the toxins that Yoga poses release from muscles and organs. That’s why a water bottle can be another essential piece of equipment.
Finally, some Yoga students like to have videos, DVDs or books to practice from when they’re traveling or unable to attend a class.
Clearly with minimal equipment Yoga can be an easy and fun fitness program to undertake.
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