Starting Your Yoga Practice? Ensure You Have These 5 Essentials
Beginning a new yoga practice can be a daunting experience. These five yoga essentials will have you ready and on your way to a new flexible, de-stressed, balanced, and more peaceful you!
1. You
Show up and be present. That’s the first step for any yoga practice. This may feel like a silly essential, Bt, it is a necessary one. You simply unroll your mat, let go, and begin. To be truly present, you must make a mental shift from the past and the future, even for a brief period of time. Make this a regular part of your yoga practice and you will begin to notice the difference in your temperament, attitude, and overall feeling of wellbeing.
2. Yoga Mat
Take the time to find the right mat for your body. If you travel often, you might like a thinner mat. Always get your own mat to your yoga class. This is a personal item and is often unwashed in yoga studios. This can present a hygiene problem.
3. Blocks
You may think that a block is only used to modify poses. But, blocks are very versatile and useful yoga props. Block can be used for going deeper in restorative poses, a stretch, balance poses, and much more. Two blocks may be very beneficial in a yoga practice, by placing blocks under both hands or feet. They can even be used to support various parts of the body.
4. Strap or Belt
If you have tighter muscles, straps or belts are essential yoga tools. They allow you to reach your feet in poses where the leg might be raised. Straps and belts also allow you to reach and do deeper in forward bends.
5. Blankets
Having a couple of firm blankets handy will allow you to dive deeper into your practice. Most yogis use firm and flat style blankets that fold into even and clean edges. If you have any pain while doing postures, in the bones of the hip or the knees then simply place the folded blanket on your mat for comfort. They can also be used for simple restorative poses, seated meditations, forward bends, and can keep you warm in savasana.
