Top Yoga Accessories: The Complete List From A Novice Yogi

As a beginner yogi who’s just getting started in the practice, you may not know exactly what kind of yoga accessories you need yet. Maybe you don’t even know if you need any accessories at all! It can all seem a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get past the initial sticker shock, it’s actually not that difficult to figure out which items are essential and which ones aren’t so much. Yoga is an entire system of practices, with different kinds of poses falling into different categories. Some poses require more props than others. For example, arm balances might require something to sit on; inversions might require something to reduce the risk of injury; and some poses might require nothing beyond your own body and maybe a strap. Fortunately for us novices, there are some general rules:

What You Should Know Before You Buy

Before you buy yoga accessories, you should know the basics of your different options. Will you mainly practice hot or cold yoga? Will you mainly practice on a mat or on the floor? What kind of budget will you allow for your accessories? You should also know what materials are best for you. Hot yoga is practiced in rooms heated to upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so you’ll need to make sure you get a mat that can stand up to the heat. Cold yoga is usually practiced in a chilled room, so you’ll need a mat that can stand up to the cold. Choose a material that gives you the best of both worlds so you can practice both kinds of yoga. You will also want to make sure your accessories are comfortable, fit well, and that they can be easily cleaned. You’ll also want to make sure you get accessories that are the right size for you. All that considered, the best way to find the best yoga accessories for you is to try out a few different options.

1. Yoga Mats

The first yoga accessory you might need is a yoga mat. If you’re primarily a hot yoga practitioner, you’ll want a mat that can withstand the heat. If you’re a cold yoga practitioner, you’ll want a mat that can withstand the cold. A synthetic or rubberized mat will work best if you will be practicing in a heated room. A mat designed for cold yoga practice is usually made of natural fibers, like cotton or wool. It will be thicker, softer, and cushier, which may make it a bit harder to travel with if you do a lot of hot yoga. A yoga mat is a good investment if you plan on practicing regularly. If you’re on a budget, you can buy used mats online that are in good condition. You can also clean them to get more use out of them. Regular cleaning will help keep your mat in good shape for a long time.

2. Blocks

Blocks can be used for many different types of poses, but mainly, they’re used for headstands to add more lift and support. If you’re going to be doing a lot of inversions, you may want to invest in a set of yoga blocks. They come in a few different sizes, so you can decide which is best for you. You can also use other objects, like a book (but not a telephone book), bricks, or cinder blocks, if you don’t have yoga blocks. Yoga blocks are available in multiple types of materials, including cork, foam, and wood. You can choose the type of block that best suits your practice. Cork blocks are generally a little cheaper than foam blocks, but they may wear down more quickly. Foam blocks, on the other hand, will last longer, but they can be more expensive. Wood blocks are a nice middle ground between cork and foam in terms of price and quality.

3. Straps

If you are a beginner and will be doing a lot of inversions, you may want to get a yoga strap. A yoga strap can be used in a variety of poses, but they’re primarily used in assisted inversions like handstands, headstands, and shoulder stands. Your instructor may also recommend using a yoga strap in certain poses, like a bridge pose. Yoga straps come in a variety of materials, including cotton, polyester, and nylon. You can find straps in a range of different lengths and widths, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. If you’re still getting used to yoga, you may want a shorter strap. A longer strap is better for more experienced yogis who need more help holding their poses.

4. Bolster and Blanket

If you’re going to be doing restorative yoga, you’ll want a bolster and a blanket. A bolster is a long pillow-like cushion that you can sit on or lay on during restorative yoga. It provides support for your body, particularly your lower back, and is designed to be used in conjunction with a blanket. The blanket is placed between you and the bolster so that you can get maximum support and pressure relief from the bolster. There are different kinds of bolsters available. Some are made from cotton or wool, like a regular pillow. Others are made from a special material designed for yoga. A yoga blanket is a special type of blanket designed for resting or meditating. It’s designed to be soft, warm, and long enough to cover your torso, legs, and feet.

Conclusion

Yoga is a practice that requires a lot of different accessories. The best yoga accessories are ones you can easily travel with and are easy to clean. You may want to consider synthetic materials that are easy to clean and can withstand heat if you do a lot of hot yoga. If you do a lot of cold yoga, you may want to consider natural materials like cotton or wool. The best yoga accessories are the ones that are most comfortable for you. You should try a few out and find the one that works best for you. Once you find the yoga accessories that work best for you, you can get started with your new yoga practice.