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Yoga Equipment Tips
Wedges Make Wrists Happier
If you suffer from stiff wrists, try this less common but useful piece of yoga equipment: A yoga wedge. A yoga wedge placed under the heels of your hands can help relieve wrist discomfort when doing backbends or arm balancing poses. You can also use the wedge as a shoulder support for shoulder balancing poses, plus it works as a lift under your sit bones to help with forward bends (as an alternative to sitting on a folded blanket). A standard wooden yoga wedge is 24 inches long, and about 3.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches high at the high point of the wedge shape. You can order a yoga wedge at yoga.com and other places where yoga props are sold.
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Yoga Mat Wipes Kill Bacteria And Keep You Well
Gaiam Tip: A yoga mat wipe is a useful yoga accessory even if you use your own yoga mat during a class. The floors of gyms and yoga studios attract germs just as much as any other public place, and even health-oriented yoga students get sick, so cleaning your yoga mat is worth a few minutes of your time.
Use a yoga mat wipe on your mat after each class to ensure that your mat is clean and your yoga practice contributes to your good health, not to your risk for catching a cold. Some manufacturers of yoga products offer “official” yoga mat wipes, but you get the same effect by using any disposable antibacterial wipes that you can buy in most grocery stores.
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Deepen Your Poses With Yoga Sandbags
Consider a yoga sandbag if you want a multipurpose yoga accessory. Placing a yoga sandbag on your thigh helps you deepen standing poses such as Warrior 1 by encouraging your thigh to drop closer to the floor. Or you can use a pair of sandbags, one on each thigh, to help open your hips when sitting in bound angle pose. You can even sit on the sandbag for a extra lift when doing seated poses such as forward bends, as an alternative to sitting on a folded blanket, a block, or a wedge. You can by sandbags from makers of yoga supplies and props such as Gaiam, or from stores and websites such as yoga.com that sell yoga supplies.
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Keep Your Yoga Ball In Shape, Too
Gaiam Tip: If you have a fitness ball or yoga ball that you use at home, it will last for years and serve you well if you take care of it. Clean a yoga ball periodically with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Don’t use harsh cleansers because they may scratch the rubber surface of the ball. Keep the yoga ball away from newspapers or other ink-printed material; the ink will stain the rubber and it is difficult to remove.
When you first buy a yoga ball, be sure to inflate it according to the recommended ball size. If you inflate the ball to make it as taunt as possible, it can rupture. Use a tape measure to help you inflate the ball to the correct diameter. A properly inflated yoga ball should be firm, but it should give slightly when you sit or press on it.
You can adjust the amount of inflation according to whether you want a firm ball (which makes exercises more challenging) or one that has more give (which is better for beginners who are looking to strengthen their core muscles).
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Sweeten Your Savasana With An Eye Pillow
Some yoga teachers provide small herbal eye pillows as an optional yoga accessory to use during savasana (corpse pose) or another final relaxation pose. If you practice yoga at home, you can keep your eye pillow in the freezer for an extra dose of relief to tired eyes and face during your final relaxation pose. Or, if you’re in the mood for soothing warmth, microwave the eye pillow on high for one minute. You can purchase eye pillows at spas or bath and body care stores, as well as stores that carry yoga equipment and yoga supplies.
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Thinner Mats Provide Better Wrist Support
Gaiam Tip: Your best choice for a basic yoga mat for most types of yoga classes is a dense mat that is fairly thin (1/8 or ¼ inches). If you take a yoga class in a gym with a wooden floor rather than a rug, you may want to double-up and place two thin mats on top of each other if you are jumping forward and back during sun salutations.
A thicker, plushier mat that is more than half an inch thick, such as those used in some gyms for aerobics, stretching, or other activities, won’t give your wrists enough support when you push into your hands during Downward Facing Dog and other arm balancing poses.
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Completing Your Yoga Lifestyle
Once you have incorporated yoga into your life, you may wish to pick up a yoga accessory or two. A basic accessory is incense. During your home practice, filling the air with the soothing scent of incense will transport you to a state of peace that allows your body and mind to become absorbed in your practice. Music for yoga is also a great tool. There are plenty of soothing (or invigorating) CDs available for you to listen to as you meditate or move.
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Keep Your Mat Clean Between Classes
Gaiam Tip: Some yoga mats come with a yoga mat bag, but some don’t. But never fear, you can buy a yoga mat bag separately from the mat itself.
A yoga mat bag is not only useful for carrying your mat to and from classes, but a bag keeps the mat clean and protected between classes when it is sitting at home in your closet.
Because yoga mats are a fairly standard size, your mat bag doesn’t have to be the same brand as your mat, and you can find yoga mat bags to accommodate your personal taste as well as your mat. Most yoga equipment makers offer bags in a variety colors made of nylon or cloth. The eco-conscious yogi practitioner can buy a yoga mat bag made of hemp canvas, but a hemp bag costs about three times as much as a nylon or cloth bag.
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Yoga Equipment Basics
Certain forms of yoga require yoga equipment in order to practice them properly. What exactly is required or suggested depends on the style of yoga. Hatha yoga and Iyengar yoga involve blocks, blankets, and/or straps, for example. A yoga mat is required for nearly every form of yoga in order to keep you comfortable during meditation and to pad your feet and hands during poses.
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Yoga Equipment For Your Home
Gaiam Tip: Many yoga studios provide the yoga equipment you need during class. Items like foam blocks, mats, straps and ropes, balls, and blankets are included in your class fee. However, it's a good idea to have yoga equipment for home practice as well. These items -- usually mats and straps -- are available for purchase either at your studio, online, or in sports shops. Giving yourself the tools you need to practice at home is a good way to inspire you to continue your studies in yoga on your own.
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Inexpensive Strap
Using a strap can help you more easily reach proper alignment while your flexibility increases. Although you can purchase straps from most companies that sell yoga props, you can take an old necktie to use as your strap instead. Neckties are usually the right lengths for most people. And since most men have some neckties they'll never wear … you can probably get them for FREE!
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Mats
Although not required, a yoga mat can provide a good, stable surface for standing poses. It will also provide a non-slippery area for balancing poses. If you don´t want to invest in a yoga mat, a large carpet remnant is also suitable, and it provides extra cushioning on wood or linoleum floors.
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Using Yoga Balls For Flexibility
Another useful tool in yoga practice is the yoga ball. These balls come in a wide range of sizes. Larger balls are great for lying back on for ab strengthening as well as back stretching. Smaller balls are often used to work specific areas of the body such as arms and legs. Overall, using yoga balls develops flexibility and muscle strength regardless of where they are used. This results in an ability to better execute more difficult poses during your practice.
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The Mat Matters
The most essential yoga accessory is the yoga mat. A variety of mats are available for different levels of practice. Each mat id designed to keep your body cushioned and warm during classes. Also, a mat is a great way to mark out your space in class, particularly when the group is a large one. Mats come in a variety of colors, lengths, and thicknesses, depending on your needs and preferences. Also, the price range varies to accommodate nearly any budget.
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Blocks & Pillows
Using props, such as pillows and blocks, will help you achieve proper alignment during postures. Since it's important not to stress or strain muscles, these can provide the extra support needed to reach or hold a position without discomfort.
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Protecting Your Yoga Mat
The best way to protect your yoga mat is to purchase a yoga mat bag. These cylindrical bags are designed with enough space so that you can simply roll up your mat after class and slide it in. Most bags also offer side straps that allow you to sling your ma on your back like a backpack. This positioning keeps the bag out of your way during commutes and in crowds. Like the mats themselves mat bags come in a variety of colors and styles to suit your taste.
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Comfort
You will want to keep your body warm during relaxation, so keep a blanket or sweater nearby. The blanket will also come in handy if you experience any discomfort in seated positions.
