Yoga Exercise Equipment

To get started on your yoga workout, you don’t need expensive shoes or a fancy outfit. All you really need is a good instructional DVD and a non-skid yoga mat. However, there are still a number of supplemental products to buy if you choose to do so.

What Types of Yoga Equipment Can I Buy?

Despite its humble roots, yoga has become a big business. Manufacturers have created a wide variety of items designed to enhance your yoga practice. For example:

• There are DVDs, videos, CDs, and books to explain the various types of yoga.
• Yoga clothing includes shoes, pants, tops, and jackets.
• Basic yoga equipment such as mats, blankets, straps, blocks, bolsters, sandbags, and meditation cushions.
• Advanced yoga gear includes items such as an inversion sling, yoga headstander, yoga board, backbending bench, or yoga ropes.

When you are purchasing yoga exercise equipment, look for durable and high-quality products. For example, yoga mats should offer thick cushioning and yoga sandbags should have strong stitching with a zippered lining to avoid leakage.

If you need assistance on selecting the best yoga exercise equipment for your practice, ask an instructor at your local yoga studio what he or she would recommend.

Where Can I Find Yoga Exercise Equipment?

Since yoga is moving into the mainstream, it’s easier than ever to find yoga gear. You can find a small selection of yoga videos, apparel, and props at discount retailers such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Target. Many sporting goods stores also carry a variety of yoga exercise equipment for the beginning yoga student.

However, if you’ve been practicing yoga for awhile, you’ll want to turn to online retailers for the best selection of yoga exercise equipment. Just remember to factor shipping and handling costs into your purchasing decisions.

• Gaiam, one of the country’s leading “lifestyle” companies, offers a wide selection of yoga equipment, as well as books, DVDs, clothing, and products for your home.
• Yoga Accessories offers yoga mats, balls, rugs, blankets, bolsters, straps, and other accessories. Beginning yoga students can even purchase kits that include everything you need to take your practice to the next level.
• Yoga Serenity provides customers with a section of yoga exercise equipment, accessories, CDs, and DVDs. Most orders are shipped within two-to-three business days and all products can be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
• Yoga Props offers mats, blocks, bolsters, straps, and other products for both beginning and advanced yoga students.
• HuggerMugger.com may have a silly name, but this Web site is a great place to shop for your yoga gear. There’s even a section with products for kid’s yoga.