How to choose your yoga accessories?

That’s it, you’ve decided you’re starting yoga! And even if it doesn’t require a lot of accessories, a carpet can do the trick, it is useful to equip yourself with a little equipment to progress in the best conditions. Discover our advice to choose the best yoga accessories according to your practice.

What Are Yoga Props Used For?

Depending on the type of yoga practiced, you may need to use one or more yoga props . Some are used to help relieve your back and preserve your joints. Others, on the contrary, to intensify the effort, accentuate your postures and make your body work in depth.

The Mat: Essential Yoga Accessory

Attention ! A yoga mat is not chosen by its design! (well ok it counts a little sometimes too…) It is very important to choose a good yoga mat to be able to practice the exercises properly. A mat is chosen according to the type of yoga practiced (gentle or dynamic yoga) as well as its level, its needs and its type of practice (indoor or outdoor).

The yoga mat is a yoga accessory to consider as a long-term investment because it is the support of your body, a second ground.

The Soft Yoga Mat

It must be comfortable to limit the impact between the body and the ground, while protecting your back and your joints from shocks due to postures held longer. It must therefore be at least 5mm thick (up to 8mm thick). In addition, it must be robust to withstand the resistance of the exercises, it will generally be made of PVC.

The Mat For Dynamic Yoga

Dynamic type yoga invites standing poses and inversions. It is more intense, using strength, flexibility and balance. It will therefore be necessary to pay attention to stability and adhesion . We will then choose a thinner carpet, between 3mm and 5mm , to be able to hold the balance more easily. Some types of yoga require a mat with good support and grip so as not to slip (example: Hot Yoga ).

In any case, it is important that you feel good and that your session takes place in good conditions. More experienced yogis will generally opt for a very thin mat (about 2mm), while beginners will prefer a thicker mat. Indeed, the postures can sometimes be painful to hold on a thin mat if you are not used to them. Take a yoga mat where you are comfortable!

Mat Bags And Carrying Straps

If you choose to practice yoga outdoors, your mat must be easily transportable. We will then use a carrying strap or a bag of yoga mats . Very practical yoga accessory, it will protect your mat from rain and dust at home. They come in different sizes and designs to fit your favorite rug.

The Yoga Jute bag   from Yoga-Mad is perfect for storing and transporting your mat, thanks to its strap. For yoga teachers, we will rather opt for a large bag to carry all their yoga accessories, such as the Stelvoren bag from Yoga-Mad.

Yoga Straps

Used for all types of yoga, the straps are a great aid to flexibility. Whether you need to progress in your postures or to maintain good technique, this is an essential yoga accessory. The straps will be your ally to maintain the most difficult postures. Some are even 2-in-1, also serving as a carrying strap, like the Carry Strap model from Yoga-Mad.

The Bricks, The Yoga Accessory To Progress Effectively

Bricks are a great yoga accessory for all types. For soft yoga, we will choose it in foam. It is light, flexible and soft. It will help you progress and is perfect for relaxation exercises or meditation on the ground.

Conversely, for dynamic yoga, we will opt for cork, for better grip. The brick will help to find and maintain balance in more or less difficult postures. Since the cork is heavier, you will gain stability and your brick will more easily support your body during more difficult postures.

Bolsters

The bolster is a small round cushion, resembling a bolster but much smaller and firmer. Often used during soft type yoga, it will help you during opening postures and during stretching. It will also be used during relaxation exercises.

Meditation Accessories

Depending on the yoga practiced, there may be a meditation phase before or after the session. This phase will prepare your body for the session and will relax and soothe your body at the end.

To optimize this session, we will choose accessories such as meditation cushions (“rondo” or “zafu”) which are an excellent tool for keeping your spine straight and without pain in a seated position. It adapts to your morphology and hugs your curves to ensure stability and comfort.

There are also meditation blankets , to stay warm after the session, if you have a little sweat to avoid cold snaps. Whether short or long, the blankets keep your body temperature dropping during your meditation phase.

Finally, you can opt for a meditation pad . It is placed on the eyes to avoid being embarrassed by the light and to take advantage of the moment of deep relaxation. It is used to rest and soothe your eyes for a moment of maximum relaxation.

You want to equip yourself for the practice of yoga and discover our entire range, go to one of our four stores or discover the entire yoga range online !