| Once you have selected a high-quality yoga mat, you | | | | which one hand is on the floor, and can be great |
| may be wondering which accessories or yoga props | | | | transitional aids while you develop your flexibility. Some |
| will help you improve and deepen your yoga practice. | | | | poses also make use of sitting on a yoga block. Yoga |
| We cover the five most important yoga accessories: | | | | blocks are often sold individually, but we recommend |
| bolsters, straps, blocks, mat bags, and mat cleaners. | | | | buying two for the most versatility. |
| Yoga bolsters provide extra support in difficult poses. | | | | Mat bags are useful for convenience and helping to |
| They are basically stuffed cushions or rolls, and come | | | | protect your mat and yoga accessories. Depending on |
| in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. A single | | | | how much you carry back and forth to class, you may |
| bolster may be used in a variety of ways, supporting | | | | want a small mat bag that is sized slightly larger than |
| the head and neck in one pose, supporting the back in | | | | your mat, or a larger, duffel-style mat bag that can |
| another, and stretching the abdomen yet another pose. | | | | carry extra supplies: yoga blocks, towels, water bottles, |
| Bolsters are commonly used in the "restorative" | | | | extra clothing, etc. Some people choose to make their |
| varieties of yoga, such as Kripalu. Many bolster options | | | | own yoga mat bag out of silk or other materials - |
| are available, including rectangular and round shapes, | | | | there are many great resources online that give |
| cotton, organic cotton, or hemp covers, and foam or | | | | instructions on how to do so. Ready-to-buy yoga mat |
| organic cotton filling. | | | | bags are made out of materials such as nylon, cotton, |
| Yoga straps, also called yoga belts, are useful for | | | | organic cotton, or hemp. |
| developing flexibility. They can help beginners to | | | | Yoga mat cleaners are also very important. After |
| transition into certain poses that would not otherwise | | | | regular practice, a yoga mat can become a breeding |
| be possible. One common use is a hamstring stretch, in | | | | ground for bacteria, fungi, mold, and mildew. According |
| which the yoga strap is hooked around the foot while | | | | to the New York Times, some dermatologists and |
| the leg is held straight. They can also assist in bound | | | | podiatrists say that in the past two years or so, they |
| poses such as cow face, or Gomukhasana, if your | | | | have noticed a rise in the number of skin infections in |
| hands are not able to naturally clasp each other. Yoga | | | | their patients who practice yoga and use public mats. |
| straps are commonly available in materials such as | | | | You do not need to use harmful chemicals to clean |
| nylon and hemp, and often have buckles on the end to | | | | and sterilize your mat, however. There are some great |
| aid in storage and transportation. | | | | natural choices available, using natural oils and plant |
| Yoga blocks are props to help improve your alignment | | | | extracts that thoroughly clean your mat. You can use |
| and make you more comfortable during practice. They | | | | a mat cleaning solution that you put in your washing |
| can be made of a variety of materials, such as | | | | machine, yoga mat cleaning wipes, or cleaning sprays |
| eco-friendly cork and bamboo, or more conventional | | | | that can be wiped down with a towel. |
| foam. Blocks are often used during standing poses in | | | | |