Hatha
yoga, the combination of postures and controlled-breathing, is what
most people think of when they hear the term “yoga.” Like
karate, the discipline is deeply-rooted in spiritual and holistic
teachings with a high emphasis on inner-connectivity. Students who
are looking for something deeper than a mere workout love the naturalness
of it. Although there is little need for extraneous yoga supplies,
there are a few key products that make practicing more comfortable.
Asanas are yoga-postures meant to increase muscle flexibility, stamina,
tendon strength and promote a healthy internal body. Loose-fitting
and comfortable clothing are the most popular yoga supplies because
some asanas are comprised of positions that constrictive clothing
would not allow.
What yoga supplies (besides clothing) do trainers recommend? Firstly,
mats/mat bags are very valuable because they prevent slippage, increase
balance and build confidence. Some of the postures of Hatha yoga require
participants to sustain a pose for a long time, which can wear down
a beginner. Without a proper yoga-surface, it’s very easy for
fatigue to cause body-failure that result in injury. Getting injured
while learning the discipline could ruin a beginner’s opinion,
turning them off the sport forever – but a comfortable environment
with the right equipment will make it easy to gain self-confidence
and master difficult poses. People with latex allergies should consider
cotton instead of rubber yoga mats. Cotton is incredibly strong material
and very easy to care for (washer-safe), and unlike rubber mats, cotton
can be left out in the sun without suffering too much damage.
Blocks and props are a major aspect of Iyengar yoga. This variation
of traditional yoga emphasizes comfort, which is good for beginner
students to transition into more difficult poses. Through the use
of props, students can find support to help them sustain positions
longer. For example, standing on a cushioned wedge during one of the
stand up exercises will alleviate pressure from the heels. Props are
useful for sick or tired students to enjoy the health benefits of
strength building without exerting too much muscular effort.
DVDs are a good way to learn the fundamentals of yoga in the privacy
of your own home. Sometimes, it’s intimidating to try out a
new activity in front of a group of seasoned yogists. Luckily, there
are yoga DVDs that teach introductory postures, proper body alignment,
controlled/relaxed breathing techniques (pranayama), and final relaxation/meditations.
For those who are intimidated or embarrassed by their own inflexibility,
many instructors recommend “Yoga for Inflexible People”
as one of the most popular instructional DVDs.
Most yoga supplies are supplementary or unnecessary to a successful
workout. The exercises are meant to be very spiritual–physically
connecting body and mind–but anything that makes a workout more
comfortable is obviously worthwhile.