What do you actually need to practice yoga?
The first and only thing you really need in order to practice yoga, is an open mind.
That said, there are a few things which can make your practice more comfortable. If you’re embarking on a modern yoga practice the chances are you will be considering whether you really need to spend lots of money on yoga leggings, props and non-slip mats. So it’s not really that helpful for me to say that you only need an open mind for yoga, because I know you’re thinking that you need to wear something to yoga, and you probably need a mat, so how to choose? In part three of my ‘How to Start Doing Some Yoga’ series, here are a few tips on what extras may be helpful as you begin your yoga practice.
What should I wear to practice yoga?
The short answer: anything you feel comfortable in that allows you to move freely.
The long answer starts with the fact that the yoga clothing industry alone was worth $31 billion in 2018 and ends with the many ways in which this industry can be problematic. First here’s a disclaimer: this is an industry that has created some of my absolute favourite things to wear while practicing yoga. I wear (fairly) expensive yoga leggings, I love them, they are comfortable and practical and last a long time. However, many of the brands in the yoga clothing industry use unsustainable production methods, have a poor history in terms of size-inclusivity and ableism, and have been guilty of more than a little cultural appropriation (much like most mainstream fashion brands if were honest). This is an industry that has persuaded many of us that a pair of expensive leggings is an entry requirement for any yoga class worth attending, which is just not true. It is an industry which has contributed to and exacerbated the idea that yoga is only for a privileged few (usually white, wealthy, western women).
It is important to acknowledge that most brands in this realm are doing better (at long last) on sustainability, ethics and inclusivity. There are also some fantastic brands out there that have been great from day one. Girlfriend Collective makes sustainable activewear and are excellent on size-inclusivity, and Go As U R make ethical activewear and donate €1 from every sale to empowering women and girls around the world with W4. There are plenty more brands that are producing more ethical yoga clothing. Even so, that still doesn’t mean you are obliged to buy something to participate, you really can do yoga in your pyjamas, tracksuit bottoms, or running shorts, just perhaps not jeans.
Girlfriend Collective is a great example of a yoga clothing brand doing things right; inclusive, sustainable and not prohibitively expensive.
Do I need an expensive yoga mat?
You can do yoga without a mat at all, but in my experience this is better for a bit of impromptu beach yoga than as a long-term plan. Having a yoga mat will help you feel stable and supported while you practice. Previously, yoga studios would provide mats but due to Covid-19 you will need to bring your own mat to a studio class for the time being.
You can spend almost any amount of money on a yoga mat. Deciding which one is best for you will depend on your priorities. If low-cost is key there are plenty of mats available for around £10-£15, they will do the job and will last you a long time, I’ve had the same £10 mat from USA Pro for 7 years now and it’s still going strong (Yoga Matters are my current favourite for affordable mats). There are, however, plenty of other options out there.
As with clothing, if sustainable production is a priority for you then there are some excellent brands doing this, but (as with most sustainable items) they will cost more. My favourites are Manduka and Ekotex. Sticky-ness is another consideration. Do you want a really sticky mat so you won’t slip around on it? If so then Liforme or Yogi Bare are good ways to go. There are pros and cons to sticky mats, yes you might not slip in downward facing dog, but transitioning seamlessly through a vinyasa might be harder. Alternatively you may prefer a thicker mat, this can be good if you need a little extra padding under your knees when kneeling. I would avoid using a thicker mat or doubling up if you get sore wrists, counter-intuitively it’s better for your wrists to have less padding so that the heel of your hand doesn’t sink down.
N.B. If you have your own mat, please make sure you clean it regularly and air it out, you wouldn’t believe how gross a yoga mat can become if left unattended. Any surface cleaning spray will do, I like to use a white vinegar solution with some essential oils to make it smell nicer.
Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
What about props?
I cannot stress this enough, props are your friends! You can definitely practice yoga without props, but using them opens up a whole new world of possibilities. It’s perfectly normal to feel like it’s cheating or failing to use a prop (I won’t go into the many reasons why here, perhaps one for a future blog), but adding one to a pose can deepen our experience and help us to find things we couldn’t have found with our bodies alone. With all that said, if you are brand new to yoga you don’t necessarily need to go out and buy a full range of props. Most studios are still offering props to use in class and your teacher will prompt you on how and when a prop might be helpful to you. After a while you may find there are certain props you’d like to have around at home for more practice. I highly recommend props from Yoga Matters as they are affordable, durable and they’re often the same as what you find in studios so you can get used to certain shapes and sizes. My favourite prop to have at home is a bolster, mostly so that I can drape myself over it when I need to chill after a long day stooped over my desk. Straps can also be really helpful for forward folding and backwards reaching and are very cheap, as are cork bricks which can be great for balances in particular.
The other reason you don’t need to run out and spend lots of money on props is that there are lots of things around your house that you can use as alternatives:
Strap: use a dressing gown cord, thin scarf, tie, resistance band, even a pair of leggings
Bolster: pile up the cushions and/or pillows
Cork bricks: use big sturdy books, usually small and thick is best
Foam block: again books will do here, or if you want to sit on it then a cushion is a nice alternative.
Props can help to make a pose more accessible, as well as more challenging, depending on how you use them.
That should cover the bases for what you need to practice yoga, and what might enhance your practice. You can get into a whole world of eye-pillows, essential oils and candles too, but these are very much optional extras. I can’t stress enough that you do not need to spend a lot of money on what you wear or your mat/props, however if you feel like treating yourself then there’s nothing wrong with that either! Yoga doesn’t care what you’re wearing, so long as you are comfortable.