Are you gearing up to start taking yoga classes, perhaps for the first time? Or maybe you have taken classes before but you want to learn about other yoga tools available to you that you haven’t heard of yet? Perhaps you’re looking to build your ultimate home yoga studio?
No matter your interest, this comprehensive list of yoga tools and equipment will tell you everything you need to know about so you can choose which yoga equipment you need!
What Equipment Do You Need for Yoga?
If you are trying to make Yoga practice a part of your New Year resolution in 2024, then the first thing you need to do is to make a yoga accessories list. This list must contain every single thing you need to start yoga in 2024.
Yoga Mat: A yoga mat provides a non-slip surface for your practice, ensuring stability and preventing injuries. It also provides cushioning for your joints and spine.
Yoga Blocks: Yoga blocks are foam or cork blocks that come in various sizes. They provide support and elevation during poses that require flexibility or balance. They can also be used to modify poses for beginners or those with injuries.
Yoga Strap: A yoga strap is a long, adjustable strap that helps you extend your reach and deepen your stretches. It can also be used to support your body in certain poses or to bind your legs together.
Yoga Bolster: A yoga bolster is a cylindrical cushion that provides support and comfort during restorative poses. It can be used to support your head, back, or legs, allowing you to relax and release tension.
Yoga Blanket: A yoga blanket can be used for various purposes, such as providing warmth during savasana (corpse pose), cushioning your knees or elbows in certain poses, or folding it to create support under your hips or head.
Yoga Wheel: A yoga wheel is a circular prop that can be used to deepen backbends, improve flexibility, and strengthen your core. It can also be used for balance and inversion poses.
Yoga Towel: A yoga towel can be placed on top of your yoga mat to absorb sweat and prevent slipping. It can also be used to wipe down your mat after practice.
Remember, while these equipment can enhance your yoga practice, they are not mandatory. You can start with the basics and gradually add equipment as you progress in your practice. You can also ask your yoga teacher to advise you on the accessories you require to start your yoga.
Yoga Equipment List
Wow, there is a lot of yoga equipment out there! You do not need to own every piece of equipment to have a safe, fulfilling yoga practice, but some equipment can be extremely beneficial to some people.
If you do want to purchase items, check out the best websites to buy yoga equipment:
- Amazon
- Yogikuti
- Myntra
- Kosha Yoga Co
Here is an easy checklist to show what you need versus fun extras to try.
NEED
- Mat
- Comfortable clothes
FUN EXTRAS
- Blanket
- Prop for support
- Support your weak areas by using props made especially for certain poses. For example, if you have a neck injury but want to invert, invest in a headstand assisting yoke.
- Prop for savasana
- Water bottle
Feeling prepared for your next yoga class? With this ultimate checklist of yoga supplies, you now know everything about what kinds of options you have to enhance your practice!
Yoga Mat
Of all the yoga equipment, the mat is the first place we begin.
Choosing your yoga mat can be as simple or complex as you’d like. Many people, especially when they are beginners, just pick up whatever mat they find and are perfectly happy!
Here’s what you need to consider when purchasing a new yoga mat:
Size
Did you know yoga mats come in different sizes?
The standard size of a yoga mat is 60.96 cm wide by 172.72 cm long. But if you’re taller than 5ft7in (170cm), you may want to search out a mat that is at least 180.34 cm long. And if you’re taller than 5ft11in (180cm), you are better suited for a mat that is at least 66cm wide and 188 to 216 cm long.
Material
The material of the mat determines its other qualities.
There are two general categories for materials: eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly.
While eco-friendly mats are the better choice for sustainability, sometimes it’s just not in our price range to buy that material, so we make do with the less eco-friendly option.
PVC/PER
PVC is usually the cheapest choice for materials. Its more eco-friendly counterpart, PER, behaves in much the same way but can be more costly.
PVC and PER are the bounciest available mat materials. It’s super-grippy, lightweight, and flexible, but not very durable and can be prone to shredding. They are easy to clean.
EVA
This material is pretty flimsy and likely to wear thin after just a few uses. It’ll work in a pinch but it’s not a long-term solution. They do offer great grip and are lightweight.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is more environmentally friendly. Thick rubber mats are very durable and offer a firm grip for the yogi. However they can be quite heavy, and if you get a thinner rubber mat, it may be prone to shredding.
Natural Rubber + PU
This combo of materials combines the best of both materials. PU is more biodegradable than other plastics, and the natural rubber makes it durable and more eco-friendly. These mats are easy to grip, lightweight, and easy to clean. It may be expensive or unavailable in many places since it's a new innovation.
Synthetic Rubber
This is the squishiest option but also has the biggest environmental impact, and is only manufactured in a few countries. It may last for a long time and be ideal for spending a lot of time on the knees and elbows.
Cork
All cork mats will have a PTE or rubber base to keep them from slipping on the floor. Cork is a great material because it’s renewable, eco-friendly, antimicrobial, and becomes grippier with sweat. However, it can crack easily if rolled incorrectly and may be expensive.
TPE
TPE is a type of plastic that is less harmful because it is recyclable. When taken care of, TPE mats can last for a very long time. They are very grippy, but when they get wet they may be a slipping hazard. They are lightweight and perfect for travel except they degrade in the sun, so keep your yoga sessions in the shade!
Jute
Jute is typically blended with PER to make a structured mat. It offers great grip, high durability even in weather, odor-resistance, and is lightweight. However, these mats are sometimes very expensive, and jute is not very flexible or soft.
Cotton & Hemp
Typically the most eco-friendly options, cotton and hemp mats are more like rugs. They have the least amount of thickness and squish, but are very lightweight, portable, and washable. They have high durability and absorbency. Keep in mind that cotton is very water-intensive and both crops may use harmful pesticides. They may not be very comfortable and they may be very expensive.
Thickness & Weight Of A Yoga Mat
Many people think that a thicker mat is better. After all, it means you’ll have a squishier surface underneath you for floor-based poses.
A thicker mat might make it harder for you to press your hands down properly. It can also make standing poses difficult since the feet can wobble side to side more. So it may be worse for your yoga posture to have a thicker mat.
Thick mats are ideal for injury-prone yogis and for yoga styles like yin where there isn't much activity.
Keep in mind that the thicker the mat, the heavier it will be.
The thinnest mats are typically 3-5 mm thick. Extra thick mats are 6-10 mm. And travel mats - the thinnest - are 1-2 mm. The thinnest mats can weigh less than 1 kg, while the thickest can be heavier than 3kg, depending on the material.
Texture & Stickiness (Grip)
There are many different textures for you to choose from! Depending on the material, the mat will have a different texture.
The standard PVC, PER, EVA, or TPE yoga mat will have an average to strong grip.
Natural rubber is smooth but has an inherent grippiness. Synthetic rubber is smooth and slick but the squish can offer a place to grip.
Cork is smooth but warm fingerprints can grip it well, and sweat increases grip.
Jute has the best grip since the natural fibers offer a strong, raised texture.
Cotton and hemp have poor friction grip. They are best for advanced practitioners who rely less on the grippiness of a mat to stay balanced, or for Ashtanga beginners who find it hard to jump back or forward without dragging their feet.
A rather new addition to the yoga mat world is microfiber vegan suede, which offers great grip even as you get sweatier and is very durable. It is typically adhered to a natural rubber base.
Yoga Clothing - Comfortable Exercise Clothes
The next most important thing is your clothing!
The most important aspect of choosing your clothing is making sure you are comfortable, both physically and practically.
Make sure you pick styles and textiles that suit the amount of motion you’ll be doing as well as the climate. Bring layers if you’ll be somewhere cold!
Today, there are three distinct styles of yoga clothing that people tend to choose from: modern athleticwear, practical, and traditional.
Modern Athleticwear
This is what we see from influencers and online personalities most of the time. Stretchy, tight clothing that is usually very fashionable and may show some skin. There is nothing wrong with dressing this way, and you don’t have to dress this way to enjoy yoga or be a great practitioner!
Practical
Many people enjoy dressing practically. That is, simply wearing clothes they already have that will suit a yoga practice, but they aren’t clothes bought specifically for yoga.
Traditional
Some people enjoy embracing the ancient roots of yoga and deliberately wearing saree, kurta, and dhoti. The great thing about these styles is that you can typically wear them on a daily basis as well.
Yoga Equipment & Props
Now we get to the most exciting part of exploring yoga equipment!
There are dozens of props for you to research and purchase. Remember- you don’t have to buy all, or any, of these props to have a great yoga practice and be a real yogi!
Blocks
Cork or foam blocks offer support for the hands and other parts of the body in various positions. They are one of the most useful props!
Blanket
An essential piece of yoga gear for beginners, a blanket can be folded into many shapes for all-over support. They also make a great pillow and can keep you warm in savasana.
Bolster
A bolster is used most often for yin poses that will be held for a long time. It helps you stretch into a pose that would be unreasonable to hold on your own.
Balls
This type of prop can come in a variety of sizes and firmnesses. Small, hard ones are great for rolling along the palm, sole, and face. Medium and large ones are great for pressing between a wall and your back, massaging the dorsal muscles, and parts of the legs.
Strap
Using a strap, you can reach your toes and support yourself when needed.
Sandbags
Added weight in poses like balasana can be really beneficial for deepening the stretch.
Squishypad for knees and elbows
Getting a small synthetic rubber pad can be helpful if you have sensitive joints.
Wedge
Great for offering support to your heels in poses where you can’t touch the floor all the way.
Chair
Perfect for elderly people and those with lower mobility or injury, chairs can offer support.
Wheel
A back-bending support tool, the wheel allows you to practice poses like Setu Bandha Sarvangasana safely.
Exercise ball
Use this ball like a chair, for support, or as a tool to practice engaging your core to strengthen in preparation for handstand.
"Yoga doesn't care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming." - Aadil Palkhivala
Bench
Yoga benches come in many different shapes for different needs. They help with heart opening, headstands, and more.
Headstand assist
A specific bench designed to take pressure off the neck and head while you invert.
Ropes
Mounted on the wall in a specific way, ropes can be used to offer unique support and increased stretch in certain poses.
Sling
Usually mounted from the ceiling or a door frame, slings are great tools for modified poses and inversion support.
Eyepillow/Eye mask
You can use an eyepillow during savasana to assist in Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). Use an eye mask during your asana practice (carefully!) or meditation for the same purpose.
Acupressure mat
Activate acupressure points along the body with this wellness tool (not to be used in lieu of a yoga mat)
Meditation pillow or bench
Use support during meditation to help take pressure off the legs and knees and keep the spine straight for optimal breath and posture.
Necessary Yoga Accessories
Not quite props, accessories can help make your practice better, especially in certain situations.
Towel
If you’re prone to sweat or taking a hot yoga class, you’ll likely require a towel. Even if your mat absorbs sweat, it’s best to cover your mat with a towel during these rigorous practices to minimize slipping.
Plus, you might want to wipe your face and neck periodically!
Headband or sweatbands
Another way to combat sweat is to wear bands that will absorb it before it can run down your body. You especially want to keep sweat and hair out of your face and eyes!
Waterbottle
Hydration is key! You shouldn’t chug water before or during your practice to avoid stomach upsets, but sipping room temperature water is important to maintain wellbeing.
Personal Yoga Practice Elements
Many people choose to personalize their yoga practice with touches of their own. Some items may be suitable to bring to a yoga class, while others should probably be left at home. Use your discretion!
Crystals
Perhaps you use crystals as a way to direct your energy! Keeping them nearby as you dedicate time to practice yoga can be a great way to both charge them and draw on their wisdom.
Figures
Do you have a god or goddess who speaks to you? Keep them nearby as you spend time in the meditative yoga state.
Candles and Incense
Use scent to heighten your senses.
Tapestries
Mandalas, sacred geometries, and other designs can be useful as meditation tools and a way to direct your energy.
Mantra
Craft a meaningful mantra for your intentions.
Yoga Music
If you are practicing on your own, you can choose powerful music to enhance your practice (or, embrace the silence!).
What NOT To Bring to Yoga Class
While you can purchase all the props and gear you want, your yoga practice will only ever be as fruitful as your mind can allow it to be.
If you come to yoga class every day thinking “I am so unfit and this yoga practice will make me skinny,” or “I can do this pose way better than that person,” or “Ugh, I can’t wait to leave, I have so much to do today!” You won’t get very far in your yoga studies.
Negative self-talk, comparison, judgment, and unkindness to yourself or others are not beneficial things to have in your yoga classes.
And if you’re always rushing through practice, you are living in the future and not enjoying the present.
These are all things that generally take time to overcome (most experienced yogis have dealt with this, especially in their early days!) so allow yourself to use yoga time as a space where those things can be released.
It can be helpful to dive into a yoga retreat somewhere like Rishikesh, Goa, or Kerala to immerse yourself in daily yoga and shift your thinking.
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