If you are starting yoga and wondering what equipment you need, or are looking to take your practice to the next level, there are plenty of products out there to help you. From sustainable yoga mats to scented eye pillows, here are five yoga accessories to boost your practice.
- Yoga mat
A yoga mat is a basic essential when it comes to accessories, but there are numerous varieties available. Yoga mats from Manduka come in different colors, lengths, and widths to help you find your perfect match. They are also hand-made, easy to clean and store, and many are made with sustainable manufacturing in mind, using a process than ensures no toxic emissions are released into the atmosphere.
- Blocks
Yoga blocks are a useful addition to help you with many poses and stretches. They are lightweight and versatile, often made from materials such as cork or foam. You can use a yoga block to assist your balance in standing poses, or to support tight hips and knees in sitting poses; as well as a whole host of other uses. Sizes also vary, which means you can easily find the right size for you, and because they are so light you can carry them around in your gym bag.
- Eye Pillow
At the end of a practice when you are relaxing in savasana, it can be pretty hard to wind down when the gym lights are glaring on you. An eye pillow can help block out the light, and can even be scented with a relaxing scent such as lavender, to truly allow you to chill out. Eye pillows are not just for the yoga mat either, as you can use them whenever you feel like you need a little extra relaxation!
- Weights
You can incorporate weights into your yoga practice for an extra boost. This can be done in a variety of ways, and the most common is using handheld weights, or weighted bands on your wrists or ankles. Investing in weights can also be a good idea if you want to try other forms of workout as well as yoga, as they are versatile and can be used outside of your yoga practice. For home workouts, yoga is a great idea as there are plenty of online tutorials and videos you can follow for free. Using weights can also be a good addition to your home workout routine, as long as you have the space to store and maintain them.
- Socks
Regular socks shouldn’t be worn when practicing yoga, as they can cause you to slip and injure yourself. You can, however, use specific yoga socks to help improve your practice that have rubbery material on the bottom of the sock to add extra grip. The benefits of yoga socks include improved grip and keeping your feet warm! When your grip is improved, so are your postures, and you are at less of a risk of slipping and injuring yourself.
