I’d like to start with the most important thing, which is the following: none of the 8 items from the list below are in any way obligatory for yoga practice. This list is intended only to make your yoga practice easier and to help you.
(BG) 8 помощника за вашата йога практика
Since December 2013, when I started practicing yoga, I’ve been interested in & started to buy all kinds of stuff which could make my yoga practice at home funny and easier. As time passed I organized my own little corner at home which is now covered with my things – mats, yoga blocks, yoga mats, pillows, candles, etc. While I was still a beginner I thought I’d have to invest a lot in order to buy all this stuff but in fact, it turned out to be the opposite. So you may read the list of items below and decide for yourself what you’d like to have at the start of your yoga voyage.
Mats
You can buy mats practically from every sports store, and you may find them in any color – plain, multi-colored, painted, ornamented, without ornaments, narrow, wide, etc. You can find really cheap mats in Decathlon. This was my choice, in pink, and in black. They have lots of drawbacks – they rip easily, they’re slippery, short, and narrow, but if you’re not too picky they might be just the thing for you. Price: 4,90 lv (2,5 €).
View this post on Instagram
Yoga Towel
My best purchase ever! I recommend you buying a yoga towel that can be used either on your yoga mat or separately. It’s easy to fit into your bag when you go to a yoga class so you don’t have to carry your large mat or use the mats in the yoga room. I found mine in a second-hand shop, it was brand new and with a Bodhi yoga (Germany) tag. It’s got silicone on one side so it prevents you from slipping, and the other side is smooth. It’s made of microfiber, really soft, easy to clean, and unlike the mats, it doesn’t get wet during practice. You can find online this type of towels in some Bulgarian websites so you can take a look there and find what’s most suitable for you. eBay is always a choice, too. Price: above 20 lv. (10 €).
Yoga blocks
When I finally decided to buy yoga blocks I searched for a long time and even decided to buy some from eBay, but at last, my dear sister came up with the best idea ever – yoga blocks from Jumbo (famous Bulgarian store)! This is perhaps the cheapest solution. The quality’s good, they are solid, stable, light, don’t slip, and are heavenly blue – I don’t know whether they come in any other color but you can check this for yourself. Yoga blocks are of great help both to novices and advanced yogi. They help you stretch and bend, and also for the correct performance of the asanas. 🙂 Price – around 4 lv. for each block (2€, each).
Swiss Ball
I bought my ball before I started practicing yoga, and I continue to use it now as it’s a fantastic addition for some asanas. I’m a great fan of it! I might surprise you yet again when I tell you that I bought it really cheaply from Kaufland, and after that, I saw the difference in prices between the branded Swiss balls and the more regular ones. The lower price does not mean low quality, though, as this is the third year I’m using my ball. Just be careful what size you choose. I hadn’t made my research before I bought my ball so mine’s a bit too big for me. They come in 5 sizes according to your height, so for 5ft 2 in which is my height I should’ve taken the middle size which is 21.5 in (more info on sizes here). Price – around 11 lv. (6 €)
Yoga and Meditation Pillow
As I’m relatively far from meditating – for me that’s to get super control over one’s self, being present and still, which is something I don’t know when I’m gonna be able to achieve so I don’t meditate but rather relax. 🙂 It’s recommended to have a proper position when you relax so you can enjoy the moment and that’s why I always use my pillow. For those of you who are just starting with yoga – such a pillow will be of great help for some of the asanas as it will help reduce the pressure on your back so the risk of pain or trauma will be much less. The stuffing is made of rice which means, firstly, they are ecological. Secondly, your body weight distributes much better on such kind of stuffing which has an overall therapeutic effect. Thirdly, unlike synthetic stuffing, this one doesn’t warm you up or make you excessively hot and sweaty. You can order a yoga pillow from this Facebook page. Price – 25 lv. (around 13 €)
Himalayan Salt Lamp
This lamp is used to ionize the air, to invigorate you and to reduce the bacterial contamination in the air while at the same time it shines with its nice, soft, and romantic light. I always use it during my yoga practice at home. My lamp was a present but I’ve heard that the price of the middle-sized lamps is somewhere around 40 lv. (20 €)
Candles and Incense Sticks
Along with your lamp, you can always light a candle or burn some incense sticks which will help you get away from everyday life for a while. Everyone needs to just switch off for 30-40 minutes from the everyday problems from time to time.
Leggings
That’s my weakness, I admit! I already wear leggings not only during my yoga practice but also as a part of my everyday clothing. My collection is rapidly growing. You can find the best leggings for yourself on your own; there’s a large variety of brands, fabrics, colors, and of course – prices on the market.
Soon I’ll be coming up with the new yoga stuff I plan to buy! There’s more to the above list! What would YOU add to it? Which are the things helping you most to practice yoga? Please share in the comment section below!
If you liked this post, please be social and share it with your friends by pressing the share buttons! 🙂
Bye, see you soon!
Namaste <3
PIN IT
Such a helpful post! I really need to get serious about Yoga!
Oh I love it! I’ve let my yoga practice slip later and my body is urging me to get back to it. This article might give me the nudge. Thank you
I have never used the blocks before and only the Swiss ball at the gym. I am really more of a novice that just like to wear yoga pants lol! I am interested to hear about your favorites in that category.
My yoga mat is one of my prized possessions! My husband gets me a new one every christmas from Lululemon. It is the best way to start the new year!
Thanks for the great tips! The ball is excellent for stretching, I use it all the time.
Yes, the ball is my favorite as well! What do you use during your yoga practice? Do you have a favorite yoga prop?