Yoga is one of the most effective forms of exercise for improving your flexibility, strength, and overall dexterity. Designed to flow seamlessly from one area of the body to another, you’ll find yourself getting quite the full-body workout in a short amount of time. However, if you want to get the most out of your practice, you’re going to need a little more than yourself and your dedication. Like other forms of activity, yoga requires a few key items to help you properly get into poses. These are some of those essential equipment items for your yoga practice and what they do.
A Durable Yoga Mat
If you’re going to commit to doing yoga regularly, the first thing you should buy is a personal yoga mat. Soft, flexible, and designed with ample cushioning in mind, these tools provide a great surface for your practice. Not only do they provide optimal traction for slip-free movement, but they also supply additional support. This way, you’re at less of a risk of sustaining painful injuries as you move through your yoga routine. Mats come in many sizes and designs, so make sure that you find a product that works for your height and support needs.
Supportive Yoga Blocks
You might also want to pick up a yoga block or two while you’re out. As you first start out on your yoga journey, you might find that you’re struggling to reach the ground while in certain positions or when trying to maintain your balance. Yoga blocks can help with this by providing a firm, stable surface for you to rest your hand on. This allows you to get deeper into poses without the fear of falling or hurting yourself. Most first-time yogis can get by with one of these cushioned blocks, but you may want to purchase two if you think you’ll need more support.
Soft Yoga Straps
Yoga straps are incredibly useful for getting your body deeper into certain poses as well. They’re particularly helpful for pulling yourself deeper into leg stretches or creating tension to make for easier relaxation of the muscles. These thick fabric straps also fit cleanly into the arch of the foot to give you ample control during twists or leg stretch variations. So, they’re also a great tool to consider if you want to make the most of each stretch.
Specialized Yoga Socks
One of the most essential pieces of equipment for your yoga practice of all is a pair of non-slip yoga socks. There are several key advantages to using grip socks over standard products for your practice. For one, they help maintain your traction against the mat, which protects you from falling and ensures you can hold firm in your poses. They’re also antibacterial and breathable, keeping you clean and cool during even the most rigorous of sessions.
Picking up these items before your next practice could really give you the edge you need to improve. You never know which one will help you the most as you continue to hone your flexibility and strength.