Don’t Buy Any Yoga Props Until You Read This

I’ll say it once more for effect, “Don’t Buy Any Yoga Props Until You Read This!” Listen, I know how appealing props are. They’re super fun, and come in really neat patterns, but before you go breaking open you’re wallet, you need to know some things. Yoga props are nice, but they are not necessary. Think of yoga as a gift you can give yourself anytime and anyplace. No expensive accessories or special settings are required. If you’re brand new to yoga, know that studios will carry everything that you need. I mean, are you REALLY going to be using ALL those props enough at home to justify the purchase? If you’re positive that the answer is yes, then great! If you’re not sure, let’s look at what yogis really use a lot, versus some of the more obscure, specialized items.

The Deal With Props 101

Don’t get me wrong, props can help enrich your practice with comfort and safety. They can give you more stability and a wider range of motion. You can safely position your body to start working on more advanced poses instead of just looking at them in a book, which is how we move from ‘contemplation’ to ‘action’ and start seeing real results. Before you go crazy gathering tools that you may not use, take a moment, and pull your impulses into balance.

Basic Prop Needs

There are two options for acquiring your props. You can buy them if you find they give you more effective results or you just like the look and feel of them. You can also find free substitutes for just about any prop by using common items you probably have lying around your house. Let’s take a look at the following ideas before yous shop so that you can make intentional choices for your practice.

  1. Select a Mat.

    If active asana, and maybe even hot classes, are your personal jam, then keep that in mind before you purchase a mat. Sticky mats cushion your bones & joints, preventing you from sliding around on slippery floors during active classes. Hot yoga mats are more specialized because they are MADE FOR LOTS OF SWEAT and provide a safer practice. For most other classes, a regular mat will do. I’ve even seen Yin & Nidra students use long rectangular carpets as their personal mat.  *When it comes to cleaning your mat, inexpensive mild soap or diluted vinegar will clean your mat just as well as fancy commercial formulas (add a few drops of essential oils if you’re really feeling fancy). **Bonus tip: new mats can be slippery and usually become more comfortable with use, so if you’d like to speed up the process of a cozy worn-in feel rub it with a little salt or leaving them in the sun.

  2. Grab a Strap.

    Until your hands reach your feet in certain poses, you can use straps to hold on and bridge gaps without overextending your muscles. Belts and towels can be sufficient to do this, or you may be interested in using elastic yoga straps or even resistant bands instead of the classic, sturdy yoga belt that most studios have on deck to serve you. Play around, find what feels best when using it with your body.

  3. Extend with Blocks.

    Blocks lift your buttocks and bring your hands closer to the floor while you’re working on your flexibility. Books and folded blankets can sometimes stand in for wooden or foam blocks. If you need the extra height to bring the floor up closer to you for safe practice, try building a couple “blockets” which are simply 2 matching blankets folded up into a square shape until they mimic a standard block (more or less).

  4. Relax with Bolsters.

    Bolsters cushion your head, back, and other body parts. Regular pillows work too.

  5. Towel off.

    Any towel can wipe off sweat. Yoga towels are worth the investment if you use them to cover your mat and give you more traction. Otherwise, kitchen and bathroom hand-towels easily get the job done. 

  6. Pack a bag.

    Picking some type of yoga bag IS just going to make sense. Mats are bulky and can be a little awkward to pack and store. A bag or strap is a convenient way to carry them over your shoulder and hang them on a wall, hook or hanger when not in use. If your chosen bag allows, I find it helpful to keep any other props that you do purchase WITH your mat. Make your ability to practice easier by keeping everything that you need in the same place.

  7. Carry a water bottle.

    One item you want in your bag is a water bottle. Remember to drink before you become thirsty. This means, drink water before yoga, during yoga, and definitely afterward!!! If there’s one thing yoga teachers notice, it’s how parched people are every single day. Water is your friend; drink up! Hydration, clear your system, take care of your body yo!

     

Cool Extras

  1. Eye Pillows are neat for dissolving stress and soothing tired eyes. You can warm them or cool them according to your preference. They are widely available and pretty easy to DIY.
  2. Foam Rollers. Some yoga students love the foam rollers that physical therapists have used for years. They loosen tight muscles and speed up recovery from minor injuries. If you decide to use one, please research how to do so safely and effectively.
  3. Yoga trapeze. Maybe you’ve seen the Facebook ads or visited a studio with aerial capability. Perhaps you’re intrigued, and rightly so. Aerial yoga is really neat and if nothing else, looks like fun x’s 10! TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! Studios, where students are strapped into swings suspended from the ceiling, are well trained in both 1) prop installation and 2) Use of that equipment.  If you want to use a yoga trapeze safely and effectively ALWAYS start at a studio. If you decide to buy and install one at home later, please hire a contractor to be safe.
  4. Yoga Blankets. You don’t always need a mat. In fact, while I personally love them, yoga mats are largely a westernized concept. Having yoga blankets handy in your house, car or suitcase is a great way to always be prepared for asana on the go.

Informed & Intentional

At the end of the day, enjoy yoga with or without props. See why I said, “Don’t buy any yoga props until you read this?” It’s easy to get excited and start buying up things that we don’t really need, and I don’t want that to happen to you. Find what supports your practice and don’t worry about all the available variety that is out there for purchase. In our yoga, we are learning to let go of excess in exchange for what we truly need. To be frank, all you need is your body and a desire to practice. In time, choose props that enhance your practice in making progress so that you can enjoy optimal physical fitness and inner peace. Now that you’ve read this, go buy your yoga props like a pro!

Stay Connected. 

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