5 Essential Pieces of Equipment for Beginner Iyengar Yoga Practitioners
Iyengar yoga is largely typified by the use of equipment and props to assist in the expression of some poses.
The first thing to understand is that virtually no equipment is truly essential in order to enjoy many of the benefits of yoga practice. But much of this equipment does make things a little gentler, cleaner, and can potentially ease the path for you to a better execution of your chosen poses.
In this article, we’re going to set out the five pieces of equipment that we recommend to each and every practitioner starting out in Iyengar yoga.
1. Yoga mat
If you purchase only one piece of equipment, make it a yoga mat. Like we have said, it isn’t an absolute essential and you can make do with a bathroom towel if need be – but a yoga mat of any kind will make all the difference in your practice as you start out.
A yoga mat provides a cushion to take the pressure off your wrist and knees as you hold positions and transition between them. It will also offer much more grip, which becomes important once you begin to sweat.
2. Yoga blocks
Iyengar yoga is largely typified by the use of equipment and props to assist in the expression of some poses. Yoga blocks are one of the most common and versatile equipment types that you will see used in virtually all Iyengar yoga classes.
A yoga block can be used to elevate the hips, extend your reach, and offer balance and support through some of the more difficult poses. It can also be used to add new dimensions to poses that you are already familiar with.
3. Yoga mat towel
Much like any exercise, it’s only to be expected that you’re going to sweat. For this reason, we typically recommend that you make a small towel a feature of your yoga equipment collection. A towel can be used to wipe away sweat, but importantly, it can also be used to keep your mat relatively dry.
This habit of wiping down your yoga mat can help you keep your grip during more intense sessions and can help you keep your mat hygienic between classes. Invest in one that is absorbent and easy to wash, and you’ll find you won’t want to practice without it!
4. Yoga straps
Yoga straps are a common feature of Iyengar yoga. They might seem a little difficult to put to use at first, but they are brilliant for a variety of applications that make them an excellent addition to your yoga equipment. Often made with a D-loop that makes the strap readily adjustable, this piece of equipment can be used to assist in static holds, bends, folds, or even be used to open up entirely new positions.
5. Yoga clothing
We’ve left this one to last, but clothing is an important consideration in regular practice and learning. You can make do with any clothing that feels comfortable to you and allows for unrestricted movement, but specialised clothes are often a great way to offer structure to your home practice and keep you from sweating into countless clothes and pants you may want to wear for other reasons.
Start your Iyengar yoga journey with Yoga Vastu
To find out more about at-home practice with Yoga Vastu, simply reach out. We have a 14-day free trial available to new sign-ups. Just the right length of time to explore some of our videos and get a taste of what it means to practice Iyengar yoga at home.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
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