When you first start practising yoga, it’s hard to know what you really need to buy. The yoga industry is constantly developing so many new pieces of clothing and equipment that you might feel like you will need to spend thousands of dollars before even stepping into the studio. But don’t give up just yet – the good news is, you don’t need all that fancy clothing, gadgets and accessories. Let’s talk about the basics.
Yoga Mat
If you are about to head to your first class, don’t worry if you don’t have a yoga mat yet. Most yoga studios and venues rent them for one or two dollars, so don’t stress about that. And while it is very likely that you will be tempted to buy a cheap one from your local store, do some research on the desired qualities and invest in some high-quality yoga mats. Thickness is among the most important qualities, with the most common one being 1/8 inches. However, know that one thickness is not ideal for everyone. The stickiness of yoga mats is also very important for you to be able to plant and hold your feet and hands.
Accessories
Yoga props are your best ally when starting with this new and exciting practice. They enable you to maintain a healthy alignment in a variety of poses as your body twists, bends, and opens up. Plus, they help you make the most out of every pose while helping eliminate the risk of injury. For instance, yoga rollers are versatile and inexpensive pieces of equipment that can help you with everything – from working out the knots in your muscles, to sculpting an exquisite set of abs. You can also use yoga rollers to perk up your pushup or plank, extend your stretch, rehab your feet, extend your balance, safely crack your back, etc.
Furthermore, yoga blankets are used to lift your hips while performing seated poses, or to support you during the lying poses. For example, when you sit cross-legged, place a blanket underneath your sit bones to elevate your hips above the knees. Yoga straps (belts), on the other hand, are especially useful for poses in which you will need to hold onto your feet but you cannot reach them.
Clothing
It goes without saying that yoga studios want you to wear something to class, but that does not mean that you have to buy designer gear to be accepted. Just start with the comfortable and breathable materials that you already have and buy the basics for anything that you are missing. For instance, you can never go wrong with a couple of pairs of yoga pants in navy, black, and dark grey. If these aren’t really your thing, you can go with jogger style pants, or the currently trending harem-style pants. As for tops, choose ones that are form-fitting so that your shirt doesn’t fly over your head every time you do a forward bend. It’s always best to choose a wicking material, especially if you tend to sweat a lot.
