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