| One of the great advantages of persuing yoga | | | | strap can be looped around your feet to pull |
| is that it doesn't require much in the way of | | | | your torso gently forward until you feel that |
| gear. In fact, most folks can get by with | | | | distinctive sensation where you know you want |
| nothing more than a comfortable pair of | | | | to be. |
| sweats and a litte open floor space. But if | | | | |
| you're ready to get more serious about your | | | | Blocks |
| yoga, there are some items that you might | | | | |
| want to add to your routines. Here are just a | | | | Yoga blocks and bricks are used by many yogis |
| few for your consideration: | | | | to modify poses in their workouts. These |
| | | | blocks can help you to deepen your stretches, |
| Mats | | | | reduce the strain on a particular muscle |
| | | | group when you're beginning to learn a new |
| Sticky yoga mats can provide a safe and | | | | pose, and provide a better foundation for |
| comfortable non-slip surface for your yoga | | | | proper body alignment. Most yoga stores will |
| routine. Believe it or not, there are mats | | | | sell a variety of blocks in sizes that can |
| that are specifically designed for yoga, as | | | | help you with both simple and advanced poses. |
| opposed to Pilates mats or other exercise | | | | |
| mats. A good yoga mat will tend to be thinner | | | | Videos |
| and easy to roll up to place in your gym bag | | | | |
| for easy transportation and storage. By the | | | | Not technically gear, yoga workouts on DVD |
| way, most places selling yoga equipment can | | | | and video have become incredibly popular |
| offer you a variety of mat styles and colors, | | | | today, particularly for those who are too |
| so you'll be able to express your | | | | busy to attend a regular class, or who no |
| individuality in the gear you choose. | | | | longer feel the need for the guidance of a |
| | | | yoga instructor. You can find DVD yoga |
| Yoga Straps | | | | workouts for all levels, from beginner to |
| | | | master, including titles such as Crunch - The |
| Yoga straps are less common that some of the | | | | Perfect Yoga Workout, The Total Body Yoga |
| other forms of gear listed here. In fact, if | | | | Workout DVD, QuickFix - Power Yoga Workout, |
| you've been doing yoga for awhile, you still | | | | and ZenMama Prenatal Yoga Workout DVD. |
| may not be familiar with them. A yoga strap | | | | There's something for everyone interested in |
| is a simple nylon strap with a plastic or | | | | yoga on DVD. |
| metal buckle. Usually light-weight, you can | | | | |
| find them in a number of different colors. | | | | If you have a yoga store near you (or if you |
| How are they used? Most commonly the yoga | | | | poke around the Interent a bit), you'll also |
| strap is used as an aid for those people who | | | | find that there are a variety of yoga "kits" |
| just can't quite reach a specific goal in a | | | | available as well. These packages typically |
| pose. For example, they can help you with | | | | include all the basic yoga gear: one or two |
| such challenging poses as the Seated Forward | | | | blocks, straps, a mat and sometimes even a |
| Bend (or Paschimottanasana) where you sit | | | | video or flash cards of different poses. Yoga |
| with both legs in front of you and attempt to | | | | kits are a wonderful starting point for the |
| lay your torso flat over your thighs. If your | | | | yoga enthusiast, especially if you aren't |
| hamstrings are particularly tight, a yoga | | | | quite sure where to begin. |