Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Yoga Equipments- Buy the Right One to Ensure Comfort!!!

Yoga Equipment, Tools, and Props may not be required when practicing Yoga but they have always been useful aids to practitioners. Take note that it is essential to feel relaxed and comfortable when doing the poses. Basic yoga equipment comprises of equipment like mats, blankets and eye bags. Then the second type of yoga equipment that includes supportive tools like belts, blocks and bolsters and even specialized tools that provide support for the designs they were designed for.

Types of Yoga equipments:

When you start practicing yoga, you may be tempted to run out and spend hundreds of dollars on all the "right" equipment. Pause a moment, and think about what you really need for a meaningful practice.

1. Yoga mat: Buy a good quality sticky mat. This will be the staple of your practice, and you should ensure that the mat is nonslip, is sufficiently thick for your personal comfort level, and is long enough for you to stretch out on without too much head or foot overhang in corpse pose.

2. Bags: You may also want to invest in a yoga bag. These are bags specifically designed to accommodate a rolled-up sticky mat and other accoutrements to and from class. Look for one that has a comfortable shoulder strap and extra room for keys, wallet, towel, and water bottle.

3. Balls: Yoga done using a stability ball helps you improve balance and flexibility. The size of the ball is important. Choose the size you are comfortable with.

4. Bolsters: If you find it difficult to reach the ground during some floor poses, bolsters could be useful. They offer support to your back. Bolsters are helpful additions to reclining and sitting poses. By alleviating the pressure on the back, they help increase the practitioner's sense of relaxation and ease the physical stress on the body. Bolsters should be tested for the appropriate level of thickness and dimensions for your body type.

5. Blocks: Blocks are solid foam or wood pieces that are helpful for beginners, especially, to achieve standing asanas by helping relieve the pressure that comes from placing the hand (or head) squarely on the floor. By raising that surface a few inches, you can relieve the pressure on the working muscle group and get more out of the pose. Look for solid construction in blocks, and make sure their planes are straight and even, to prevent wobbles and subsequent falls.

6. Straps: Straps are typically one inch wide (some are slightly wider, others more narrow) and several feet in length. They help with reclining and stretching poses where the hands can't quite meet, or where the foot is just out of reach. Using a strap can help you get the benefit of the pose without risking a strain injury. Make sure your strap is long enough to be useful, and is one long piece, rather than a stitched or linked-together piece that might rip after repetitive use.

7. Inversion slings: An inversion sling helps stretch the muscles of your lower back and provides a pulling force that gradually stretches your spine. You may also use it to stretch your muscles in the shoulder, chest and groin.

8. Yoga ropes: If you are a serious yogi, you may want to invest in wall-mounted yoga ropes. You can use them to strengthen yourself and be flexible. You can use it to enhance traditional and modified yoga postures.

9. Yoga blankets: can be used in a number of ways--as a wrap in meditation, as a covering for warmth in corpse pose, as added stability for seated poses. Look for a colorful blanket in a pattern or texture that's aesthetically pleasing to you, and a material that isn't scratchy or uncomfortable. Also, make sure the blanket you select is washable, especially if you'll be using it in group classes.

10. Meditation cushions: are helpful in achieving a comfortable seated posture for minutes on end, which is necessary for a meaningful meditation practice. There are many varieties and types. As with bolsters, make sure the cushion you select fits your body type and is comfortable and well-made. Here, too, you may want to inquire about a removable, washable cover for the cushion.

Summary:

When deciding to purchase yoga equipment in an online store or shop it usually wise to have a look at the gear they are selling and check price points. There are a number of kits that you can buy for yoga. With yoga growing more popular the amount of equipment that can be got is greatly increasing. Now that it is recognized as a great way to improve health and fitness more people are willing to part with their money to buy the right kit.

The use of Yoga equipments also lessen out the stress and strain from doing your yoga positions. There is a yoga accessory out there that will support your muscles and refrain you from any muscle injury.