Must Have Yoga Accessories for Beginners

With so many different yoga accessories and styles to choose from, it can be hard to find your way around when you're just starting out. The good news is that you don't need much to get started. Whether you're just beginning a yoga practice at home, or have decided to set foot in your first yoga class, certain accessories are essential to reap the full benefits of yoga. Here are the four main accessories you should have to practice yoga comfortably and safely.

THE YOGA MAT

The yoga mat is the first accessory you should invest in. Why should you? The yoga mat helps define your personal space, whether at home or in the yoga studio. Among other things, it represents the sanctuary to which you'll regularly go to find yourself, refocus and let go. 🧘

The yoga mat protects your joints from the stiffness of the floor by absorbing shocks, and protects you from the cold. A good yoga mat should also be non-slip and create traction for your hands and feet so you avoid slipping, especially if you've been sweating during your yoga session. A yoga mat will therefore enable you to practice your yoga safely and comfortably.

Most yoga studios provide mats or rent them for a few euros per class. This can be interesting for your first classes, but the disadvantage of these mats is that many people use them and you have no way of knowing how often they are cleaned. For reasons of hygiene, we advise you to consider buying your own yoga mat.

The high-end yoga mats can be expensive, often between 80 and 120 euros, but it is possible to find mats for as little as twenty euros. The disadvantage of a low-end mat is that you may have to replace it fairly quickly if you use it often. If you want to commit to a regular yoga practice and enjoy all its benefits in the short and long term, your mat is an accessory in which it would be better to think about investing a little more.

Before choosing a yoga mat, there are a number of criteria to take into account, such as thickness, material and grip. For more details on how to choose your yoga mat, read our article dedicated to the subject.

A YOGA MAT BAG OR A STRAP TO CARRY YOUR MAT

If you own your own yoga mat and intend to lug it regularly to your studio classes, the purchase of a yoga mat bag or a strap should be considered. These accessories do exactly what they suggest: they allow you to easily carry your mat rolled up on your shoulder to prevent it from unrolling.

• Yoga mat straps typically use Velcro strips to secure your rolled-up mat. These straps are easy to use and lightweight. The only drawback is that your mat will not be protected from ambient dust and dirt.

• A yoga mat bag usually closes with a zipper or drawstring. Some yoga bags offer additional storage space (internal and external pockets) for your personal belongings (clothes, wallets, cell phones, etc.). The advantage of a yoga mat bag is that your mat will remain clean throughout its transport. There are bags in different designs and sizes to suit all tastes.

THE YOGA BLOCK

Yoga blocks are used to improve your alignment. They are particularly useful for standing postures when your hands are supposed to be touching the floor. Placing a yoga block under your hand has the effect of somehow "lifting the floor" to meet your hand rather than forcing the hand to come to the floor while compromising another part of the posture.

This is the case with the half-moon🌙 posture. Many people don't have sufficient hamstring flexibility to hold this position properly. By placing a yoga brick under the hand that's reaching toward the floor, it's easier to keep the chest open and the torso strong. Without this brick, the chest and torso can be tilted towards the floor, and the supporting knee can be bent. The simple use of the block helps maintain proper alignment.

👉 To learn how to use a yoga block, read our article specially dedicated to the subject.

Yoga blocks are made from foam, cork or wood 🌳. They can be turned to offer three different heights, making them highly adaptable to your needs. If you plan to do a lot of yoga at home, it's best to have two blocks at your disposal (useful in postures where both hands are stretched towards the floor as in the pinch postures 🦀 or Uttanasana).

👉 Want to know more about yoga bricks? Read our article on how to choose a yoga block!

THE YOGA STRAP

Yoga straps, also known as yoga belts, are particularly useful for poses where you need to hold your feet but can't reach them. In a way, the yoga strap represents the extension of your arm. For example, in the Pascimottanasana posture, if you can't reach your feet with your hands, you can wrap the strap around the soles of your feet and hold on to the strap to maintain a flat back instead of slumping forward.

Straps are also ideal for asanas in which you bind your hands behind your back (Marichyasana, for example). If your shoulders aren't supple enough, you can use a strap to "link" your two hands without forcing them too much. With the help of the strap, you can bring your hands closer together as you progress towards the full posture.

👉 To discover yoga postures to do with the help of a strap, read our article dedicated to this question.

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In our opinion, these are the main accessories to have when starting yoga. You can then consider purchasing other accessories to take your practice to the next level. The yoga wheel for example is a great way to improve back flexibility, shoulders and open the heart chakra ❤️.

Namaste 🙏