Extra yoga equipment

As you progress in your yoga practice, you may find that you need some extra equipment for more comfort and proper body alignment. This may happen because you’re still a beginner and don’t have much flexibility in your body or you have special physical needs, say, after an injury.

Yoga blocks help you reach proper alignment with any level of flexibility. Beginners can’t do without sturdy blocks in challenging bends. Blocks come in different sizes and materials: foam, cork, wood.

Yoga straps are used to overcome your limit of flexibility in the poses that require reaching for your limbs. They can also help you remain in a pose for a longer time. Some yoga straps come with buckles – D-ring, clinch or pinch; some come without any.

Yoga bolsters provide support and ensure proper body alignment during challenging asanas. Use them for more comfort and relief of tension in the muscles of your back, abdomen and legs. Yoga bolsters come in different forms, sizes, colors and materials, so you’re sure to find the one that fits your needs.

Yoga blankets can be used for extra cushioning when folded. You can also use them as cover during restorative asanas at the end of a session so that no feeling of cold or drafts distract you.

Yoga sandbags are used to make your stretches deeper with some extra weight. Place one on your stomach to become more aware of your abdominal muscles while breathing. Another use for a sandbag is support or lift for specific body parts. Most yoga stores sell empty yoga sandbags so that you can fill yours with sand, beans, corn, wheat or rice and regulate weight.

These are some basic extra pieces of yoga equipment. You may decide to use them all, or just some of them – it’s up to you to decide how to enhance your yoga practice.