Yoga Accessories– Getting What You Really Need
By Della Menechella
Unlike some other sports, you don’t need a lot of
yoga accessories when you practice. With yoga, your body is really
the most important ‘equipment’ that you need. There are some items
that are basic and which can help you be more comfortable and safer
in your practice.
Standard Yoga Accessories
Clothing
Your clothing should be comfortable and breathable and allow you to
move freely. You don’t want anything that is going to get in the way
of your movements or that will bunch up or create a distraction. For
instance, oversized, loose fitting tee shirts can fall towards your
face during some inversion poses and cause you to pay more attention
to whether or not anything is showing, than to the actual asana. If
you are taking a class, your instructor might want you to wear something
form fitting in order to check your alignment.
Shorts are often a good choice, if the whether permits,
because you tend to get very warm from doing the asanas and your body
temperature heats up. In some types of yoga, such as Bikram, shorts
are really a necessity because of the level of heat in the room.
Although yoga is usually practiced barefoot, some
people wear cotton socks or soft yoga shoes.
Mat
Yoga mats are typically used during practice, especially in a class.
They offer some padding so you are not lying or sitting directly on
a hard floor. They also provide some level of sanitation, since a
number of postures require you to put your head on the floor.
A mat also gives you traction during your poses. When
your body heats up, you have a tendency to sweat, which could cause
you to slip if you were directly on a floor. The mat helps minimize
potential slipping and can add to the safety of your practice. There
are a variety of different mats you can use.
Optional Yoga Accessories
Yoga Mat Bag
It helps you carry your yoga mat to and from class. Some of them also
have room for other items such as a change of clothes, your keys,
and wallet.
Yoga DVDs
If you are not taking classes, they can provide you with wonderful
instruction, often from top teachers.
Yoga Props
There are a variety of props that can help you with your form, especially
if you are a beginner.
One of the least mentioned, but what I feel is one
of the most important yoga accessories, is a water bottle. During
your practice, your body will likely sweat and release toxins. Water
is necessary to help you flush out the toxins and replenish any lost
fluids. After your practice you will probably be thirsty, so cool,
refreshing water will seem like a wonderful reward after all your
hard work.
When you begin practicing, you may decide to just
buy the standard items. As you advance, you will very likely decide
to purchase some other yoga accessories to help you develop and grow.
Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has
been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Here website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com
is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and
fitness a positive part of your life.
