Yoga: What’s Needed to Stay Healthy

Practicing yoga can be analogous to taking care of plants. Just like in gardening, where you need shovels, pots, or plant labels, there are certain tools you might use during yoga to be successful. This post will cover equipment, tools, and other resources for successfully practicing yoga.

Yoga Supports Health

One thing about yoga I think most of us can agree on is that it supports our overall wellbeing. Yoga can be healing for the body, mind, and spirit. People enjoy yoga to relieve stress, stretch tight muscles, and find ways to relax.

Yoga can be energizing, or it can be calming. It all depends on the type of class and style of instructor. There’s definitely yoga out there for everybody!

Using the breath and specific movements, yoga may reduce pain. The practice can release toxins from the body, as well as negative emotions stuck deep in our tissue. Being mindfully aware moment by moment increases our connection to spirit.

Tools Used in Yoga

There’s some equipment that you might use in a yoga class. The first, and probably most well-known, is the yoga mat. Yoga mats come in all shapes and sizes. They can be thick and cushiony or thinner and paper like. Personally, we’ve only ever used Gaiam yoga mats, but there are mats of all kinds out there. It’s best if you try several varieties out to find your favorite.

Next, there are yoga blocks and straps. These are also used quite a bit in yoga classes. Yoga blocks are typically foam in texture and measure about 9″ by 4.5″ by 3.5″. If you don’t have a yoga block at home, you can usually borrow one from your teacher or find something similar around the house to use in place of the actual block.

Yoga straps are usually about five feet long and are narrow bands made of fabric. Again, if you don’t have your own strap there are several items you can find to mimic what the strap does. Or your yoga instructor might have some you can borrow. Blocks and straps are used to support us in accessing the pose. For example, if we can’t reach our hands all the way to our mats, we can place the block on its tall side to help us make that connection.

Other equipment might include bolsters, blankets, towels, bands, balls or chairs. Honestly, there’s a whole world of equipment we can use to practice yoga. And, don’t let the tools fool you. They don’t mean that you’re weak, slow, or bad at yoga. Yoga equipment is simply there to make the practice more accessible for all.

Other Yoga Resources

People, places, and things can all support your practice of yoga.

Maybe you find a friend who can join you for class. That person can help you stay accountable to showing up week after week for yoga. Or just motivate you to go since you know your buddy will be there with you.

Perhaps your coworkers can support you. Not necessarily in practicing yoga itself, but in making sure you can get to the classes. If you sign up for a yoga session, it might be a good idea to tell your boss and coworkers. This way, they can be aware that one time a week you need to leave work by a certain time so you can make it to your class.

Yoga classes themselves might support your journey. Sure, you can try practicing at home, but actually going to a specific location at a predetermined day/time with an instructor who keeps you safe and shows you what to do will make it more likely that you’ll practice this healing art.

Even yoga clothing, water bottles, bags, or supplies that were touched on above can all be resources in making sure you get the most out of yoga.

So… what about you? What supports you in practicing yoga? What do you need to stay healthy?

And, of course, we’d love to see you in a future class! Check out our yoga schedule and sign up for a future program.

About the Author: Elizabeth Scala MSN/MBA, RN, RYT (200) is a holistic nurse, registered yoga instructor, and reiki master.

Elizabeth received her dual master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is a certified coach, nature lover, and avid meditator.

Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her supportive husband and playful pups. She enjoys gardening, jigsaw puzzles, baking, music, and hiking.