I like to think of myself as a yoga minimalist. I think you can get a great practice in with really just your body. That's all you need right? You technically don't even need a mat. I even like to go minimal with clothing. Just a sports bar and shorts will do. You'll never find me with a block and strap and the whole nine-yards. First of all, I've never needed a black or a strap to help me get into a pose (thank you flexibility!), but I do own two straps actually! There are some items that are nice to have and may make your practice easier, but nothing is essential. That's why yoga is for everyone. There is a type, style and "prop" for everyone and that differs for each and every person. Even though you don't "need" a mat, I choose to always use one. It feels like home to me. I like the cushion beneath my palms and feet. I also think the that bright yellow color of my mat just adds to the energy I am creating.
Here are some of my (non)essential yoga essentials that you may consider using or already use in your practice. I can go minimal, but when you have some nice perks, why not use them? They make me most comfortable and ensure that my practice will be top-notch.
1. Slip-Free Rosin from Aurorae ~ This stuff is fabulous! I always feel as though no matter how good my mat is, my hands just always get sweaty and slip when in downward-dog. Maybe it's just that my shoulder mobility is really great so my arms get really into it. But by sprinkling this rosin on the front of my mat, my hands never ever slip!
2. The Classic Yoga Mat (in Solar) from Aurorae ~ My solar colored yoga is one of my favorite things, not just yoga things. I love this mat so much and bring it with me everywhere! I'm sitting on it now as I type this post! If something ever happened to this mat...I would cry...big time. I picked the solar color because it means: "creative, inspiring, energy, warmth, family, stability, and compassion." All perfect beautiful words and characteristics!
3. My Laptop ~ This old HP has been my door into the yoga world. I always start my practice with at least 30 minutes of my own stretching, flow, and asana practice, but then I always use an online video as my real practice. My big 18in screen is perfect and it feels like I am actually in a class with my favorite teachers.
4. Comfortable Clothing ~ Like I said, minimal clothing is best for me. I love my Tasc Performance clothes the best and always feel really confident in them. Sports bra and capris are perfect. They are tight fitting and don't make me over heat. (Use the code: SANDS at checkout for a 25% discount!)
5. A Water Bottle ~ I need my water. I can not settle in to a practice if I don't have water near by. Even though I might not drink it until after I'm done, I need it there in case. It is totally a comfort thing, but I also don't want to pass out, haha! A sip of two during a quick mountain pose always does the trick!
6. Yoga Mat Cleaner from Lotus ~ I use my mat a lot and I want to keep it clean and in good condition. This cleaner smells pretty good compared to some others I have tried. It is eucalyptus mint which is supposed to promote a calming effect too! My mat still has a grayish stain where my feet always are in downward-dog and the like, but this spray cleans and kills any germs that are there. Plus it helps get old rosin cleaned out from the top of my mat! I also like using it after my mat has been outside on the grass. It always smells bad once I take it in, but this spray helps clean and freshen my mat right back up!
7. Rubber Hair Ties ~ My hair HAS to be up. I can not do yoga with my long hair flying in my face of getting in the way of my feet and hands. (It hurts to step on you hair and not realize it!). I like my hair bands with a rubber "sting" going over it so it stays in place. But I also have to put my hair in a bun since a pony is still to long. So first I get it in a pony, then twist it into a bun, put some bobby pins in, then twist another hair tie around. It always stays and gives me freedom from my hair mess!
That's really all I need for a perfect practice! But if I had to pick my number one thing, I would pick my mat. I would go naked if I could just have my mat. I think I need to give this bad boy a name...hm. Any ideas?
So tell me:
+ What are your (non)essential yoga essentials?
+ If you could have only one yoga item besides your body, what would it be?
+ Have you named your yoga mat? I'm thinking Luminance, Mr. Luminance!
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Amber
Congrats on the website move, it looks AMAZING GIRL 🙂 seriously, so professional! LOVE the color theme 🙂 I am NOT a yogi, so my "non essential" fitness necessities would be: BEATS, I'm talkin' a good playlist on my ipod nano with my arm band. If I don't have that, I can't work out, seriously. AND my gatorade water bottle 🙂
rebecca
Thank you Amber! XOXO
Haha, I can't workout WITH music! I feel like it's too distracting and then I lose count of reps and sets 😛
Kate
That anti slip stuff is fantastic! I really need to invest in some as I am always slipping on my yoga mat!
Strength and Sunshine
I can't practice without it now! Totally one of my most important "essentials" 😉 It makes such a difference!
Kristen
I love yellow, so a yellow mat would be awesome! I currently use a cheap pink mat I got at Five Below but I'm also a total newbie still. Once I get into yoga more I'll totally need to upgrade...hopefully to yellow!
Strength and Sunshine
My first mat was pink! I loved that thing too, but it started falling to pieces last year and I needed a new quality one!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I really admire your yoga practice! It's something I'd love to incorporate and it's so cool that you practice at home. Great info!
Strength and Sunshine
Don't let being at home stop you! Totally get into it and practice more!
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy
Hi Rebecca - I don't do yoga, but I am keeping this for when I'm ready to start. Pinning and sharing.
Strength and Sunshine
Start now! It is always the perfect time to start! It can/will change you life 🙂
Austen Tosone
girls who do yoga with no hair tie BLOW MY MIND. #teamhairup
Strength and Sunshine
Haha! I know! Like even a ponytail is a no go! I've literally stepped and ripped out my hair before!
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac
What a great list! I'm still a yoga novice, but my essentials are always: a mat, a water bottle and my computer to watch a video! 😀
Strength and Sunshine
The 3 most important essentisls 😉
Emily @ Zen & Spice
One of my essentials are sweat-absorbant towels. I go to hot yoga and if I didn't have this I would be sliding all over the mat!!
Strength and Sunshine
Girl, get some rosin or chalk! It does wonders! (I never need a towel 😛 But I also don't sweat much!)
veggiedancer
Even though I have decent flexibility from ballet classes, I sometimes enjoy using a block to stand on for tree pose, since it challenges my balance more than when I simply standing on the ground. I've also tried other balancing postures on the block (eagle, dancer's pose, etc..) and it is a fun way to try something new. The rosin sounds like a good idea (I use rosin for my pointe shoes when performing onstage), since my hands do occasionally slip on my mat when I am particularly sweaty! I tend to sweat a LOT while doing yoga, so I keep a towel nearby if I need to prevent sweat from falling into my eyes and impairing my vision--never fun 😉 Though I never drink water during a yoga class, I definitely chug it down afterward so I don't get dehydrated.
Strength and Sunshine
Mmm, yea, still not a block person 😛
But rosin and chalk is like the "fitness" person's best friend in any sport that requires good grip!
emilyahlbum
I have never heard of the Slip-free rosin, I will have to try! Def. need a towel and a lot of water! Do you have any good online videos you recommend?
Strength and Sunshine
The rosin is just like chalk gymnasts and lifters use! Haha!
Check out my yoga page for all those goods 😉
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's
I use a block a lot so for me that was one of my first non essential purchases.
Strength and Sunshine
I've never owned or used a block! But I've never needed it either! They are great though for getting deeper in to poses if your less flexible or tight though!
Erin
I definitely agree! Blocks are not just for inflexible yogis. They can really help you deapen some poses too (regardless of flexibility)! I often see people sacrificing their practice in class because they are too stubborn to use a block because they think they are flexible and don't need one. Even squeezing one between your legs in bridge and wheel can be a great restorative pose after a hippy class.
rebecca
Right! You should never be sacred or embarrassed to use props! I just don't find them to ever be an essential for me!
Erin
Definitely. Maybe try some different teachers and experiment with different flows too. When I first started practicing yoga I went to the same vinyasa studio and thought I knew "every" pose and then I went to a new studio and was blown away by all of the variations. I've been practicing for about 10 years and I keep learning 🙂
Almost Getting It Together
I would have to say a towel (I do hot vinyasa, plus I like to put my head on it in half-pigeon, etc.) and a headband (since I only wash my hair once a week I need to keep the sweat out lol).
Strength and Sunshine
My hair always has crazy fly away by the end (and gets in my eyes), but I never feel like putting a headband in! Haha! Lazy? 😉
Tina Muir
I am SOOOO glad you said your hands slip in downward dog, as mine do too, and I thought I was the only one...I hated when we had to hold it for too long as my hands started sliding....will have to get some of that rosin!
Strength and Sunshine
It works so well! Really, my hands never slip anymore! It's magic 😉