The concept of yoga equipment can seem a strange one at first - surely all you need is a floor to roll around on? But like anything else, having the right gear can make the experience easier and more enjoyable.
Yoga equipment can cover a whole range of different items, and includes:
-
Mats
-
Mat bags
-
Books
-
DVDs
-
Videos
-
Blocks, bricks and wedges
-
Belts and rubber bands
-
Balls
-
Rollers
What all yoga equipment has in common is its ability to make the activity more enjoyable, or help you get more out of it.
Take blocks for example. While they are not essential, blocks can be used under your hands, feet or butt to deepen stretches and achieve proper alignment, and can also assist in providing stability.
They are used as cushioning in inversions, such as the shoulder stand, to support the head in forward bends, and to provide lift in seated twists.
Similarly, even if you regularly go to class, a good book, DVD or video will be useful on those occasions when you can't get out for one reason or another, or if you want to try some different movements and postures that aren't taught in your regular class.
When all is said and done, anything that encourages you to exercise, or makes the exercise you do more enjoyable, is worth considering.
