If this is your first time doing yoga, then you may be having a hard time knowing what yoga gear you are going to need for your yoga sessions.
There has been a continuous development done by the yoga industry in terms of clothing and equipment, and you may find yourself in need to spend some hundred dollars before even stepping into a yoga studio.
Who knows? You might even enjoy yoga so much that you decide to invest in yoga teacher training online. This way you can lead a class of your friends or peers in yoga sooner than you know.
But, if you have friends who have been doing yoga for quite a long time, you will realize that you only need a little in order to get started with yoga. And if you have no other references, then this article will assist you with what you need to know about necessary yoga apparel and equipment before you head on to your first class.
Essential Yoga Gears for You to Consider Having Before that First Session
- Right clothing for yoga
Of course, when doing yoga exercises you should be wearing something that is comfortable and flexible at the same time. So, you should be able to have comfortable and breathable athletic apparel, and if you already have these, then you can just check on some yoga gear basics that you might be missing.
Yoga studios are always maintained at a cooler room temperature, so you may also want to get a light cover-up or some sweater just to mitigate the cold after your yoga sessions.
- Find yourself a quality yoga mat
There are gyms and yoga studios that have their commonplace in order to use a yoga mat. This yoga mat allows you to get your own personal space, and of course, it also creates traction from your hands and your feet in order for you to avoid slipping on the floor, especially when you are already starting to sweat. The yoga will also serve as your cushion against the hard floor, thereby giving you a bit of comfort while doing yoga.
There are also gyms and yoga studios that have these yoga mats for rent, and it usually costs you about $1-$2 per class. Although this is quite okay for your first few classes, it will become a disadvantage in the long run because these yoga mats are going to be shared by a lot of people, and you will not be so sure if these mats have been cleaned properly, so buying your own can be a good choice and save yourself from possible infections or other contagious diseases.
- Get yourself good mat bags or slings
If you already own a yoga mat, then, of course, you are going to be lugging the yoga mat to and from the studio. So for your own convenience, it might be a good idea that you purchase your own yoga mat bag or sling, so it will be easier for you to take out and then keep in your yoga mats.
- You can also get your own yoga blankets
Although most of the yoga studios have their own stacks of blankets that are made available to be used by students during yoga class, you should grab around one or two blankets at the beginning of the yoga class.
These folded blankets can be utilized in lifting your hips when you are doing seated poses, or it can also serve as a support during lying poses. Say, for example, when you are sitting in a cross-legged position, you can place a blanket under the sit bones. When you are doing yoga poses wherein you are required to elevate the hips above your knees, the yoga blanket will help you with the elevation. These blankets can come in handy for all types of things during your yoga class especially if it becomes chilly.
- Consider getting yoga blocks
Just like the yoga blankets, these yoga blocks can help in making you feel more comfortable and be able to improve your alignment. These blocks are particularly useful especially if you are doing standing poses wherein your hands should be placed on the floor.
In order to avoid compromising some other part of a yoga pose, it is recommended that you place a block under your hand, as this will provide an effect of raising the floor thereby meeting your hand instead of forcing it to come to the floor. This type can be seen in a half-moon pose, and there are a lot of people who do not possess the hamstring flexibility or even the core strength in holding the position in its proper form.
By putting a block under your head that is reaching toward the floor, it will then become easy for you to keep the chest open and retain the strength in your torso. But, if you do not have the block, your chest ends up turning toward the floor and then the supporting knee will be inclined to bend, resulting in your torso collapsing.
- Consider getting some yoga straps
These yoga straps are also called belts and these are useful especially when you are doing poses where you will be needing to hold onto your feet but you are not able to reach them.
The strap will serve as your arm extender, so if for example, you are doing the pascimottanasana and you are seated in a forward fold wherein your hands are unable to reach your feet, the strap will be able to help you in maintaining a flat back instead of a slump forward because this will serve as an extension.
- Consider getting some bolsters
The bolsters have a lot of uses for most yoga students. When you are to make seated and forward bending poses, it is better if you use bolsters instead of stacks of blankets because this can provide you with better comfort.
You can also place the bolsters under your knees or your back when you are reclining for support and when you are doing passive stretching. The bolsters are also handy when it comes to restorative and prenatal yoga classes. So if you are going to take these types of classes, then you might want to get a bolster if your yoga studio will not provide you with one. Or if you are planning to do these types of yoga at home, then it is recommended that you purchase your own bolster.
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