About Yoga Exercise Equipment

One of the great things about yoga is that it can be done almost anywhere and requires no special equipment. Many yogis practice outside on grass or sand with no equipment at all. However, not everyone has the same level of flexibility and not all surfaces are ideal for a yoga practice, and this is where props and accessories come in.

A good yoga mat is the best investment you can make in your practice. Wood floors and even some carpets can be slippery; a yoga mat provides a soft, non-slip surface. Mats are also great for working outside because they provide a barrier between you and anything on the ground. The standard size for a yoga mat is 68 by 24 inches, but extra long and extra wide varieties are available. Yoga mats come in a variety of colors and styles, in materials ranging from plastic foam to natural rubber.

Yoga straps are strips of fabric with a buckle on one end. They resemble belts and are used to deepen a pose or help maintain alignment. For example, during a seated forward bend, looping a strap around the feet and holding each end helps deepen the pose. Straps are a useful addition to a yoga practice but not mandatory. A towel, sash or even a regular belt from your wardrobe is just as effective. As long as the material is soft enough to use against the skin without chafing and long enough for your purposes, anything can act as a strap.

Yoga blocks are most often used to assist with standing poses when flexibility is an issue. Blocks come in a variety of sizes and can be stacked to, effectively, raise the floor. This added boost allows people with limited flexibility to maintain proper form and relax into difficult poses. Like straps, yoga blocks are a great addition however; there are several household items, like books or chairs, which serve the same function. As long as it is non-slip, the appropriate size (or stackable) and can support your weight, anything can act as a block.

Bolsters and cushions are often used during meditative or seated poses to support the joints or align the spine. For instance, many people feel strain in the lower back or knees during corpse pose, so they use bolsters or cushions to support the knees, lower back and neck. Rolled blankets and towels and pillows can take the place of bolsters and cushions.

Weighted balls and sandbags are used to help deepen a pose by providing a little extra push or pull. These props are best for yin-type exercises where the body slowly sinks into the pose. A sandbag placed on the upper back during butterfly pose helps the chest sink toward the floor. Balls are also great for working the core by adding a stability element. Doing plank pose with each hand on a ball engages the core and adds an extra level of difficulty to the pose.