One good thing about yoga is that it can be practiced almost anywhere,
without all those yoga equipments, and by all people of all ages.
When doing yoga it is best to wear loose and comfortable clothing.
Yoga is traditionally done and practiced barefoot, but if this does not
suit you, you can just wear socks or soft-shoes.
It is also best to practice yoga on an empty stomach. Empty your
stomach, clean your nostril and throat, and consume a glass of warm
water 15 minutes before you start.
It's a good idea to consume a light snack such as an energy bar, a
piece of fruit along with a glass of water an hour before class to avoid
getting hungry or dehydrated during yoga sessions.
As I mentioned earlier, you don’t need anything hi-tech or fancy in order
to start practicing yoga. All you really need is the desire and a good
attitude to get started. But this doesn't completely eliminate the need for
some yoga equipment, especially if helps you do your postures
properly.
Most yoga equipment is built to help you achieve proper alignment,
balance as well as make the pose a little bit easier to do, especially for
beginners.
- It also lessens the stress and strain on your body from doing
certain yoga positions.
- It helps support your muscles and protects you from injury. Yoga
- It helps save energy by exerting less effort on a pose.
Let's go over some of the more basic types of yoga equipment:
- Proper Clothes
While a opinions vary when it comes to the proper yoga attire ultimately
the choice is up to you, however it's a good idea not to wear tight fitting
clothes. Loose-fitting, comfortable and easy to move the clothing will
make your experience much more enjoyable.
- Mats
A good yoga mat provides cushioning on a hard floor, this specially
needed if your yoga studio floor is made up of cement or hard
wood floor, it can also provide traction for your hand and feet thus
prevents you from slipping or sliding on a wrong position when your
doing your postures.
- Towel
There are special towels that are made for yoga. You may find super-
absorbent towels that will be quite helpful if you sweat. You may also
buy a skid-less towel that you can use on your mat to help absorb sweat.
- A Bag
If you buy a lot of yoga accessories you may want to buy a special bag
to carry them. They look like duffel bags, and are often made of nylon.
- Bolsters
They provide support for your spine, abdomen and legs in a number of
different poses. Yoga bolsters can help you achieve better results
overall.
- Blocks
Like blankets, blocks are props that help you make yourself more
comfortable and improve your alignment. Blocks are great for standing
poses in which your hands don't reach the floor.
- Wedges
These can be used in many different ways to add support and length for
many different postures, especially under your heels, tail bone, or knees
when practicing forward-bending poses to make it easier to place your
hands flat on the floor without compromising correct form and posture.
- Yoga Ball
They help you learn balance, build your strength, tone your muscles, and
make it comfortable for people with injuries to exercise. These balls
provide extra support as you stretch, and are good for working out the
back and hips, and can also be used during pregnancy. You'll need an
air pump if you get one of these.
- Blankets
They can help you feel relaxed and comfortable which is essential in the
practice of yoga. Not only do they help keep the shell off, the folded
blankets can be used as props or to sit and lie on during class.
- Yoga Straps
These are most commonly made out of cotton or nylon and allow you to
grasp body part which you cannot reach effectively. They also give you
added flexibility and help you hold your poses a little bit longer. They
are particularly useful for bound poses if your hands do not reach each
other, and for poses where you need to hold onto your feet but cannot
reach them.
- Yoga Kits
For beginning yoga enthusiasts a yoga kit may be the solution to all of
their problems. A basic yoga kit contains everything you need to get
started practicing the art of yoga right away. A good kit can help you
avoid confusion and the extra expense often spent on individual and
unnecessary items.
For the most part yoga equipment is made to provide support to help
you feel relaxed and move deeper into the poses. While it may not be
wider at times it can be very helpful.
Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking about
how yoga can be used to help control your blood pressure and relieve
stress.
Namaste,
Your Friends at Mala Prayer