Equipment for Yoga

There are many kinds of yoga, one of which is called "Restorative Yoga." In these positions and postures, you will use various pieces of equipment to support your body.

For example, the "Legs Up the Wall" pose requires that you place a bolster next to the wall, then put your legs vertically up the wall, while your buttocks rest on the bolster. This pose "helps calm your nerves, balance your endocrine system, relieve fatigue, and increase blood flow to your pelvic region. It also offers your body complete relaxation."

That's the purpose of restorative yoga - to calm your nerves and relax your body, and balance the various systems of your body.

Yoga Mat

Your floors are carpeted, so why do you need a yoga mat? Simple...when you're doing postures such as "Extended Triangle Pose," it still possible to slip. With a sticky mat, you avoid that. And you can never have too much cushioning. Where Yoga is concerned, anyway.

Chair

Another reason for a sticky mat is so that you can place a sturdy chair upon it, when you're going to perform certain postures that require it. You never want to use a chair to assist you in your poses unless it's on that mat. The type of chair you need is one with an open back, so that you can slide your legs through it.

Yoga blocks

Blocks are used to help you balance, support your head or hands, or to provide a base on which to sit while you stretch and elongate your spine. These blocks typically come in either styrofoam or wood.

Straps

Straps are used when you're in seated or reclining poses to help you stretch your hamstrings. Any type of strap will do, but there are straps specifically made for yoga, that come with a buckle. This is important when you're doing "restorative" postures, where you want to keep your feet and knees in a certain position without having to strain your muscles to do so. By using a belt with a buckle, you're able to cinch the strap so it keeps your limbs in the correct position.

The above are the essential products that will help you do your Yoga exercises without undo stress and strain.

There are a few more items that you could invest in if you cared to.

Special "Yoga blankets" are made from finely woven wool or cotton, and are used to support your back and neck in certain supine poses, to raise your buttocks while in seated poses in order to help keep your spine straight.

You can fold two or three of these blankets over for use as a bolster as well - also used to provide support in restorative poses. Or, you can purchase a couple of yoga bolsters, specially made for the purpose.