| Yoga is a well known discipline for body, mind and | | | | Other yoga equipment consists of blankets, yoga |
| spirit. With its ever increasing popularity worldwide, it | | | | blocks, yoga balls and straps. Blankets can be used in |
| has rapidly adapted to people's needs and has | | | | certain positions to elevate a part of the body or to |
| become more comfortable to practice in the home or | | | | achieve a particular position if students cannot do this |
| in the classroom. Because of these factors and the | | | | by themselves. They may also be used purely to |
| fact that it has become much higher profile, it has | | | | make the position more comfortable and to allow |
| now led to the appearance of a wide variety of | | | | students to maintain it for a longer period of time. |
| yoga equipment being used for classes or for | | | | Yoga blocks are used to align the body properly, for |
| practicing at home. | | | | example where the students hand can't touch the |
| Essentially, this means that before starting any type | | | | floor. Straps are especially designed for maintaining a |
| of yoga class, you should undertake a little bit of | | | | pose or to stretch muscles more effectively. They |
| research to ensure that you find out which type of | | | | are used in poses where you are unable to reach or |
| yoga will be right for your needs. Once you have | | | | hold a position for more then a few seconds. |
| decided this, you can then buy the correct yoga | | | | Other Things to Consider |
| equipment, either online or directly from the yoga | | | | In addition to the yoga equipment necessary in class, |
| school that you attend. More information about what | | | | you can also find other helpful tools such as |
| you need can be found over the internet as well as | | | | information material, namely videos, DVDs and books |
| in books or at the various yoga studios. | | | | etc that you can use at home, or can study when |
| A Bit about Yoga | | | | you have some spare time. All of these things will |
| Yoga consists of a combination of physical exercises | | | | help you to maintain a broader outlook and progress |
| or body positions, which are also known as "asana" | | | | more quickly in your Yoga. |
| and these are used together with various breathing | | | | If you are Really Keen |
| techniques. This will usually take place under the | | | | For those of you willing to continue your exercise |
| supervision of a qualified instructor. | | | | outside of the class, you can buy yoga kits. A yoga |
| Most probably your instructor will advise you about | | | | kit consists of all the necessary elements, e.g. mat, |
| what you need, in terms of the necessary yoga | | | | blocks, balls, books and videos to help you progress |
| equipment. Clothing will be the first thing to consider. | | | | much faster. Alternatively, there is Yoga equipment |
| It should always be comfortable and allow for yoga | | | | available to help create a warm, ambient atmosphere |
| poses where for instance you need to keep your | | | | while you practice your yoga. In these kits you will |
| head down, or in any other posture where you may | | | | typically find tapes with relaxing background music, |
| slip due to using inappropriate clothes. Shoes are not | | | | aromatherapy tools, candles, bowls and essences etc. |
| required as yoga is usually done barefoot. This is | | | | Further to this, you can even buy charm jewelries or |
| great news for those used to sitting or standing for | | | | yoga greeting cards. |
| long periods of time, which can cause feet to swell. | | | | Finally |
| Consequently, without the need for shoes, it can | | | | The discipline of Yoga has always been popular, but |
| make things much more comfortable for them. | | | | now it has become a real growth industry and has |
| As part of the exercises are done sitting down, in | | | | attracted masses of attention worldwide. Because of |
| yoga studios, mats are used. These are called sticky | | | | this, you need to do your research carefully to |
| mats which also help to define the personal space of | | | | ensure that you achieve the goal you have set |
| each student, but more importantly, create traction | | | | yourself. All this said and done, with time you can |
| for both the hands and feet. | | | | truly benefit from this wonderful ancient discipline. It |
| Optional Equipment | | | | is well worth the effort you will put in. Good Luck. |