Saturday, July 14, 2012

Yoga Accessories- A Step for Modern Yoga

Over a period, commercialization crept into the yoga arena. The number of yoga teachers and yoga institutes imparting the knowledge of yoga increased by leaps and bounds. Yoga became popular because it delivered results at three levels, physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga was no more a part of Indian traditions and her ancient wisdom.

But with changing times, yoga accessories began to sprout and took the modern world by storm, along with the benefits of yoga. Any industry has to be run by the norms of the business world. Competition, craze, colors, quality, and advertisement- all began to play their parts. The accessories promised that they will help one to achieve the maximum results and benefits of yoga sessions. And who is not fascinated by a fit body, free from illnesses and attractive yoga attire!

The great thing about yoga is that you do not need a lot of equipment and accessories in order to do a yoga session. However, there are a number of equipment and accessories available that can help you do yoga.

Yoga accessories includes yoga mats, yoga gear, yoga CDs and DVDs and yoga books. As none of this is really essential, you can choose which yoga accessories you would like to purchase.

Yoga accessories are available in health food shops, meditation shops, and new age shops and over the internet. You can even find yoga accessories in department stores and supermarkets. They used to be quite hard to find, but as yoga has increased in popularity so has the availability of yoga accessories.

Here are some of the most important Yoga accessories you will need in your regular practices.

1. Yoga mats

A Yoga mat is an essential accessory for Yoga practice, whether it is a standard non slip mat, ultra sticky or even an Indian Yoga rug mat. This is because it is essential to have a good surface that supports postures and is safe to work on. By far the most popular style is the sticky-mat. It is so called because it grips the floor and does not slide.
The beauty about having one's own mat is that that just by laying down on it; you get immersed and attuned to your yoga space. It sharpens the focus and awareness to what you are about to do and helps create just the right mental state for a session. Yoga Mats are really one of the more useful yoga accessories though not considered absolutely essential by some.

2. Yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are simple tools that help you ease into difficult poses by strengthening, stretching, and aligning your body without strain. They open up the possibilities of letting your body stretch and enter more deeply into your practices with safety and confidence.

A Yoga block shortens the distance between you and the floor, providing a stable anchor point thereby reducing strain. You can use it to ground your lower hand in a standing pose, to space the hands in the peacock pose, or to support your hips in the bridge pose

3. Yoga straps

Yoga straps help you grasp your limbs that are normally out of reach. They also help you hold poses longer, greatly increasing flexibility. Yoga Straps normally come in three lengths, 6', 8' and 10'. They also come in different buckle styles on sturdy 1-1/2 inch cotton webbing that adjust easily and hold securely.

4. Yoga blankets and rugs

Yoga rugs provide a bit more cushion than sticky mats. They are perfect for absorbing perspiration for the hot styles of Yoga. In order to avoid slipping on hardwood floors, it is advisable to place a sticky mat beneath your rug. Yoga blankets are a versatile accessory that functions as a prop.

5. Yoga bags and totes

The unique shape of a Yoga bag provides an interesting challenge when it comes to transporting your gear. Fortunately, you have mat bags, carriers and totes to solve this problem, from the practical to the luxurious. Nowadays, Yoga bags are available in all sizes, styles and colors. These are among the most practical of Yoga accessories.

Summary:
 
Although yoga does not require too much accessories, the usefulness of yoga accessories cannot be doubted as it will make you more relaxed and secure. There are a few requisite yoga accessories that you cannot do without, especially clothing such as upper body wear and pants. The next is a yoga mat for practicing the various yoga poses, and then there are the yoga shoes or socks. Other like a bag for yoga mat, DVDs for self study and water bottle are optional, including yoga props.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Yoga Clothing- Be comfortable as well as Enjoy Yoga!!!

The right yoga clothes will make your exercises a lot more enjoyable. The practice of yoga is a combination of various body poses. The goal is to promote a healthy and fit body. The question still remains - what should I wear?

It would help, if you knowing what you shouldn't wear. Don't wear anything that will restrict bodily movements. The obvious items including jeans, dress shirts will not allow the body to relax and breathe freely. As simple as it is, make sure that you take the time to use the proper clothing.

Yoga Clothes Advice

There are certain important points that must be looked out for in yoga clothes. The following are some of these:-

1.   The yoga clothes must be loose-fitting. They must have a smooth enough flow to move with the body as it moves.
2.   It is very necessary that yoga clothes must be as natural as possible. Cotton is a very good choice, and it can be blended with other fabrics to add to its strength. Also, cotton allows the body to breathe. Cotton blended with hemp is also a very good choice.
3.   It is also important that yoga clothes must not be in too bright colors. That can distract from the meditative approach of the science. Go for whites and pastel colors, at least for the tops.
4.   Short and long clothes do not matter. Most people are quite comfortable practicing yoga in their shorts, but there is no harm if long pants are worn, provided that they do not obstruct the movements of the body.
5.   If possible, go for the Prana yoga clothing. These clothes are made of natural fabrics and they are mostly kept seamless. The advantage is that they completely move with the body, and do not restrict movement in any way.

Types of Yoga Clothes:

Here are some of the things that you should look for in yoga clothing so that they work well for you and make you feel good about yourself and your practice.

1. Yoga Pants

There are many types of yoga pants. Some are long and go down to your ankles; others stop just below your knees. Often they are relatively formed fitting. These types of pants have the benefit of allowing your instructor to see your alignment so she can make any necessary adjustments to your form.
If you aren’t comfortable in pants that are so revealing, you might enjoy wearing loose, cotton trousers. They offer freedom of movement without being too tight.

Whatever pants you choose, make sure that you can bend and move freely in them. Also be sure that there are no bulky ties at the waist that might be uncomfortable when you are lying in a prone position.

2. Yoga Shorts

Yoga shorts are a very good choice if you practice Bikram or hot yoga, because the room is heated to such a high temperature. They are a good bet in the warm summer months when long pants might be too warm. They also help you more easily check the proper alignment of your lower body because you can see your knees and ankles.

The yoga shorts should be long enough to cover your derriere and they should not ride up. Form fitting shorts usually don’t move too much, so they may be just right for you.

3. Yoga Tops

Yoga tops should allow you to move freely without having them fall in your face. Tee shirts should be short enough so that your lower body is not hidden, so you can more easily check your alignment. Yoga tops come in many bright and attractive colors. You might also have fun wearing shirts with characters such as Yoga girl on them.

4. Yoga Shoes

Most people do not wear shoes during their practice. However, they might be useful if you practice outside in a park, on a beach, or someplace where you would not want to take off your shoes and socks. Yoga shoes look very similar to other athletic footwear, except that the soles allow for considerable flexibility in your foot and the tops of the shoes are very lightweight. Some popular brands include Puma yoga shoes and Adidas shoes for yoga.


5. Jacket

Many people might not think that a jacket is an important part of yoga clothing, but I beg to disagree. I think it is absolutely critical to take a jacket with you to your yoga class. Bringing a jacket with you gives you an option of covering up during the relaxation period if you are feeling chilly. Feeling warm and comfortable allows you the pleasure of letting your body relax fully.

Summary:

So yoga clothes should be functional, comfortable, and give you the freedom to totally enjoy your practice. Have fun with them and enjoy wearing the ones that make you feel good!