A yoga accessory is anything that helps you practice yoga. Yoga accessories can help support your poses and assist in getting the full benefits of your practice. There’s a huge variety of yoga accessories available today, including blocks, straps, and blankets, as well as mats made out of different materials. The yoga accessory you use will depend on your type of yoga and your practice style.
How to Choose Yoga Accessories?
Below are things to consider when choosing the right yoga accessories for your practice:
1. Type of Yoga
Different yoga styles require different yoga accessory sets. For example, a set of blocks and a strap is appropriate for vinyasa but not Bikram. Experienced yoga practitioners will know what kind of accessories they need for the style they practice. However, if you are just starting your yoga journey and you’re not sure which accessories would best suit your practice, you should consult a professional teacher or even a book.
2. Personal Style of Practice
In the same way that different styles need different accessories, the accessories you choose to use depend on your style of practice. If you like to use a lot of props, you may need different accessories for poses and even for the floor. For example, do you feel comfortable practicing on your knees? Do you wear many jewelry that can break if it falls off during a pose? These things don’t just relate to yoga but to your everyday life, too.
3. Your Budget
It’s never a good idea to buy something that costs too much. If your budget is limited, you might buy cheaper items because they are more affordable. However, if your budget allows it, spending more money on quality accessories would make more sense. You’ll find that it is much better to spend your money on a high-quality yoga mat, for example, and not replace it frequently than buy a cheap one. You’ll also get more out of your practice.
4. Weight
If you go on lots of retreats, then you might need accessories that are lightweight and easy to fold up and pack away. Bringing a heavy furniture blanket would be unnecessary and inconvenient if you don’t move around too much in your asanas. Again, you should consult your teacher or read up on some books if this is something that concerns you.
5. Durability
Especially if you spend a lot of time traveling, you will want to ensure that your accessories can stand the test of time. This is especially true for mats. If your mat or towel keeps on deteriorating, then this is going to be a problem! You also don’t want to replace your accessories often because it costs more. This can eat into your budget.
6. Care Requirements
You might also consider the care requirements when buying yoga accessories, especially the mat and your towels, as they are the ones that are going to get dirty most quickly during practice.
Conclusion
Yoga accessories are a diverse range of items that provide various advantages for yoga practitioners. This makes it difficult to choose which accessories you need, but with careful consideration and research, you can find the right accessory.
