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Students often ask me how they can get better at yoga. As a teacher of five years & a practicing yogi for a decade, my first answer is always practice. Almost no one stands perfectly on their shoulders or hands their first time – it takes practice, & quite a few falls, to get there. But the next thing I remind students is there are more tools they can use to enhance their practice than just a good yoga mat.
Whether you are a beginner looking to get more flexible, or a more advanced yogi looking for a challenge or a deeper stretch, these are some of my favorite products to enhance your practice & maybe give you a little motivation to try some new poses. For me, buying a new yoga product excites me to get back on my mat for a little while & play around. And even as a teacher, some of these products still challenge me no matter how much I use them.
Let’s start with the mat. Having a good mat is the first priority. Gaiam yoga mats are high-quality & durable, &, let’s face it, they are really pretty, too. No matter what your style is, you can find a Gaiam yoga mat that appeals to you. For ease of going to class, or for taking your mat with you to the beach or wherever you go, you can pair it with a bag – a lot of Gaiam bags have extra pockets to hold your phone, water bottle, or any extra gear you need.
And with that being said, let’s get into some of those extra gear options.
For the Flow
Yoga straps are extremely versatile. Whether you are looking to assist yourself into more complicated stretches, or if you want a deeper stretch in some basic poses, a strap can help you achieve that. You can buy straps that already have loops for you to stick your feet or hands into, or a more basic strap that you can loop yourself. I often teach students to use a strap the first time they are trying Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose so they can reach for their toes without hunching over at their core (see an illustration here). You can also use a strap to pull your core closer to your legs to deepen the stretch during a Forward Bend (see more instructions on that here). You can watch my video on how to use a yoga strap here.
Yoga blocks serve the same purpose. You can make stretches easier & make sure you stay in good form by using your block to shorten your reach, such as during Triangle Pose, so you don’t hunch over in your core (see a video illustration here). Or, you can use the block to deepen your stretches, such as placing it beneath your feet during a Seated Forward Bend & reaching for the end of the block, rather than just for your toes (see how to do it here). You can watch my yoga block routine video here.
A yoga wheel is perfect for the yogi looking to take their practice to the next level. I don’t care how often you practice with a yoga wheel – it never gets easier. It challenges your balance even more than your usual yoga practice, & there are poses you can do with the wheel to increase flexibility as well, such as Bridge Pose with a wheel. If you have Plank Pose down, I challenge you to place your feet on a yoga wheel & try again. You will feel your abs working like you never have before. I will be releasing a video on how to use a yoga wheel this Monday, so stay tuned on my holistic health Instagram page, Evolve.
For Savasana
One of the most important parts of yoga is actually during savasana – the cool down period when you lie back on your mat & let your mind & body relax. For many people, this meditative portion of yoga can be the most challenging. Completely quieting our bodies & minds is never easy. Luckily, there are some products that can help assist us into that elusive meditative state.
First, try some essential oils. Relaxing scents such as lavender & chamomile can help you to reach a more restful state. You can put them in a carrier oil & rub them in your skin, or diffuse them.
Our physical state can distract us from meditation as well. One of the reasons we do yoga is to stretch & relax our muscles so there won’t be any aches, pains or discomforts to distract us during savasana. But, if you’re anything like me, there is another distraction that shows up halfway through savasana – temperature. I’m warm at the end of my yoga practice, but it only takes a few minutes of lying still for my body temperature to drop. If this sounds like you, consider using a yoga blanket or wrap. It will help you to stay in that meditative state when the chills come, rather than becoming distracted just as you were starting to slip away.
Mala beads are another great way to stay focused. If you are familiar with praying a rosary, they work something like that. As you repeat mantras, you move your fingers from one bead to the next to keep track. When you have gone all the way around the string of beads, you are done with your practice. This can be a great tool for someone who is just starting their meditation practice. Rather than trying to clear your head of everything, keeping your mind focused on one thing can be an easier & still useful form of meditation.
Some days, you just can’t get into the meditative state. It happens to us all. When all else fails, I use this acupressure mat & pillow. Sometimes it relaxes me enough to meditate, but normally it just provides a new form of relaxation & gives my body a little extra love so I still get something beneficial out of my savasana period.
For the Traveling Yogi
The beauty of yoga is that it can be done anywhere. As I said, one of the greatest ways to enhance your practice is to practice more, & that means consistency is important. If you’re often on the road, consider using one of these products to keep up with your practice.
First, yoga socks & gloves. When I don’t feel like toting around my yoga mat, I use these. It’s no fun slipping & sliding on a floor while you try to hold Downward Dog. These socks & gloves keep you in a stable position as if you were on a mat. They are also a great choice if you happen to be doing yoga in a cold environment.
And, whether you are traveling or not, I definitely recommend this mat wash to keep all of your gear clean. It’s all organic, & the gentle solution won’t harm your mat. It removes sweat, dirt, germs, & anything else you don’t want sinking into your pores during your practice.
So, there you have it – there are all my favorite items to use to advance your yoga practice, no matter where you are or at what your level is. Yoga is for everyone, & with the right tools & a mat with a design that makes you smile, it may just become one of your favorite ways to show your mind & body some love.
Namaste.
P.S. I am currently competing to be the Yoga Warrior of 2021! Voting opens March 9. I would be so very appreciative if you would consider voting for me. You can place your vote here.
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