Are you just coming to yoga and wondering where to begin?
Selecting the right yoga props can make the difference between an uncomfortable experience and a fully engaged practice. Props are important for students to get into proper alignment when holding poses for minutes at a time. For students who have less flexibility, using props helps to correct, safe positioning. While there are many yoga props that are available online and in stores, the most common props used are yoga mats, towels, socks, blocks, and straps.
Here is a short list of basic yoga equipment to use for your home practice or in a studio.
Yoga Mat
Most yoga mats are 68″ long, which is a good size for people 6 feet tall and under. If you’re taller than 6 foot tall, you may consider obtaining a mat that is 72″. Mats come in a wide range of thicknesses. While a thin mat may be easier to balance on, a thicker mat provides more cushioning for hands, knees, hips, and backs.
The most common and cheapest yoga mat material is PVC. Eco-friendly alternatives are made with recycled materials like cork, bamboo, and cotton.. For personal use, consider a mat that is light for comfortable carrying, sticky surface for foot and hand grip, and easy to clean.
Yoga Mat Towel
A yoga mat towel is a great addition to your yoga props. This towel is used to prevent your yoga mat from getting wet during hot and sweaty yoga sessions like with hot yoga. These towels are washable and reusable and can also serve as a bolster when folded or yoga blanket. A yoga mat towel is usually a little longer than a standard yoga mat and has corner pockets or straps to hook around the edge of your yoga mat so that it does not slip or move during your practice.
Yoga Blocks
Yoga blocks are great props to help achieve more alignment and stability in certain poses. Yoga blocks usually come in three forms: foam, solid wood, or cork. Foam blocks are soft, light, and comfortable and can be sanitized with a damp cloth. They are the cheapest option, but they tend to break down over time and may need to be replaced after a few years of repeated use. Wooden blocks are sustainable, solid, durable, and provide great support without being too wobbly. Cork blocks are very light and are softer than solid wood, which can provide more comfort for the hands, but they can be more challenging to sanitize. Cork blocks can also dent and chip easily, so they are a better option for home use vs studio use.
Yoga Straps
Yoga straps are a great prop for assisting you in deepening some stretches. Yoga straps come in a wide range of lengths, from 5 feet to 10 feet long. They offer either a D-ring or a buckle to loop the strap. Because of their adjustability, a strap that is 8 foot long is a good length for many people. However, if you are taller you may desire a strap of a longer length.
Yoga Socks
Yoga socks help you to hold your pose with easy by providing a non-slick, anti-skid grip. These ballet-inspired socks yoga socks are made of cotton with silicone gel grips on the bottom. These socks are great for when you are practicing yoga in a humid or sweaty room like with hot yoga. Keeps your feet clean and protects your feet. Yoga socks are ideal for yoga, pilates, barre, ballet, and hot yoga.
Remember that an active practice is a practice that is comfortable. Buying quality personal props pays off in the end. Remember that chairs, kitchen tables, and countertops can also be used as yoga props.
These are just a few suggestions for beginner yoga essentials.
You can check out some of my recommendations HERE.
