If you are well on your way to slipping into a new year exercise regime, then you may well have decided to give yoga a try. Yoga is one of those life-affirming activities that can help maintain not just your physical health, but also contribute to your mental and emotional well being. Focusing on strength, your core, breathing and flexibility, your body will find itself morphing into postures and poses you never thought possible. There’s a common misconception that yoga is all about incense sticks, sandalwood, dreadlocked hippies and vegans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yoga is an exercise accessible to all. If you’re a recent yoga convert, take a look at the essential pieces of kit that you should get hold of.

A Mat

Although you can probably use one of the free yoga mats down at the studio where you take your classes, you may want to invest in your own sooner rather than later. For hygiene reasons if nothing else, it’s worthwhile to have a mat that no one else uses. Yoga mats are sticky and have enough friction to stick to the floor. Choose one that is large enough for your frame and allows you to form most postures without your body disappearing off the end of the mat. A yoga mat will define your personal area within the gym or studio. You could opt for a premium mat or stick to a cheaper mat while you are learning the basics. There are many different colors, materials and thicknesses to choose from; select the one you find most comfortable.

Clothing

As with most exercise classes you need clothing that is breathable and allows you to feel comfortable. Many people feel self-conscious when they head to the gym or venture out for a jog. Yoga classes are special in that not one person will be judgemental. Most people are there to attain their own personal goals and will focus on their own learning in class.

If you want to look like a yogi from the get-go, opt for leggings and a sports top. If the tighter fitting attire leaves you cringing a little, looser shorts and a t-shirt is more than adequate! 

Blocks

While not used too often, blocks can be ideal for those people who find sitting cross-legged a little bit of a struggle. They can help prop up your knees or they can sit behind your lower back and ease the strain on your muscles and joints. Other people choose to use blankets or other objects to help them reach the desired posture.

Straps

If you’ve never been the most flexible, or you haven’t done much exercise recently, you may require the use of straps. They aren’t as ominous as they sound. Instructors typically use them to aid those less flexible students to find the correct posture. It doesn’t hurt but will stretch your muscles and help you breathe in the most conducive way. You may find yourself touching your toes for the first time in years.

Towel And Water

It doesn’t matter whether you are starting out in a gentle beginners class or heading straight for the sweat inducing Bikram yoga class, you’ll be surprised at just how much you can sweat. Even though you won’t be running a 5k, relieving your frustrations in a high energy boxercise class or heading on the rowing machine for half an hour, the downward dog and one-handed tiger poses can really take it out of you. You will definitely need a towel to mop your brow. As well as this, you’ll need plenty of water to rehydrate you during and after a mammoth yoga session.

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Yoga is a fantastic way of easing yourself back into a more physical frame of mind without huffing and puffing, feeling the burn or nearly collapsing through sheer exhaustion. You’ll find a helpful, friendly and welcoming environment in whatever yoga class you choose to attend. With just the bare essentials and not needing to spend too much money initially, you can join a yoga class and learn the art of deep breathing for relaxation, develop your flexibility and focus your mind.

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