I love yoga for so many reasons, but the most important is that it doesn’t require much to get started or to keep going. In fact, all that’s really needed is a yoga mat and clothes. It’s easy to get caught up in the commercialization of yoga, but don’t fall victim to false lies of advertisers, especially if you are just starting.
I created a short list of items that you need to get started with yoga today and a few items that you might consider in the future.
Yoga mat
You will come to find that many gyms and studios have mats available for use or rental, but I highly suggest that you purchase your own. No one really knows how often the mats are cleaned and we don’t want to talk about the countless germs that could be waiting to pounce on you. Do yourself a favor and invest in one. You can easily purchase an inexpensive mat from any large retailer.
Yoga clothes
Yoga welcomes you as you are. You don’t have to come fancy and all coordinated from top to bottom. Yes, those matching top and bottom yoga outfits are very cute and sometimes hard to pass up, but do yourself a favor and invest in a couple pair of comfortable and durable pants. Ladies, you want to make sure they are not see-through if you’re going to a class. Test them out in the fitting room and don’t be afraid to do a couple of down-dogs in the mirror. It’s also important to wear a sports bra that fits correctly and provides you with enough support. Lastly, your tops should be fitted; there’s nothing worse than being in a pose and getting hooked on your own shirt or the class being able to see what bra you’re wearing.
(No) Shoes
The beauty of yoga is practicing barefoot. Rejoice and be happy to free the piggies.
The next items are what we call props and are used to make a pose more accessible. They aren’t required but can be very helpful in your yoga practice.
Strap
A yoga strap is similar to a belt but used in yoga to help you achieve a pose, correct your alignment and to help you stretch. They come in a variety of colors, styles and materials. They range in size between 6 and 8 feet long and are very inexpensive. I purchased mine from Marshalls for around $5.
Blocks
Similar to straps, blocks serve many purposes. They, too, help you to achieve poses that would otherwise seem impossible, help you relax better in savasana, and provide overall support. Blocks also come in various colors, styles, sizes and materials. My blocks were purchased from Target for about $10.
Tip: You can purchase a bundle pack that comes with a yoga mat, strap, and blocks. It’s a great buy if you really want to own those items.
So, that’s it! The list is short and sweet. Not much is required to get started with yoga. Find a good video on YouTube or visit your local studio for a class and you will soon feel the yoga high.
