Supplies for practicing yoga at home

[RoxMonster]

Besides a few yoga classes 5+ years ago, I'm a yoga newbie. The classes at the yoga studios in town are fairly pricey, but more than that, I am horribly out of shape with no flexibility or balance and would prefer to get started at home before going to a class.

Some of my friends who practice rave about Yoga with Adrienne so I think I am going to start there and go slow. My question is: what supplies should I get to start? Just a mat? Or should I also get blocks etc? Any other tips?

I am looking to practice yoga mainly to improve flexibility and balance and also for my mentality. Not looking for anything too vigorous; it is supplementing my hiking and biking workouts that I do for cardio.

[sunnysally]

I use blocks and a strap. You could substitute a towel for the strap, but they aren't expensive and they are more comfortable. Good luck!

[melmel48]

I really enjoy Yoga by Adriene! I hope you do too

[VillainV]

Definitely blocks!

[wambam]

I have two blocks and a strap. I would like a bolster at home but for now I just use pillows.

[tacom]

I love yoga by Adrienne. I've been doing the 30 day yoga revolution and she makes it a point to not use any props for this practice.

[mnp555]

Blocks, strap. But I second @aliciaroset - go to at least a few classes! you don't want to start out with incorrect form in your poses and you won't know unless someone who does know is watching. I find Downward dog especially difficult to get right, but when it is right, the feel of the pose is completely different.

[Nonny]

I personally need blocks, and I have three of them - two that match and a single one that is a little bit larger. Even if the instructor isn't using blocks for a given practice there are a lot of poses I just can't get into or hold without them.

I also have a blanket, a strap, and a bolster, which I use in that order of frequency. The strap is the cheapest thing to buy, and doesn't have a good substitute IMO. You can use a towel or belt, but the strap is more comfortable and easier to manipulate. You can use any old non-slippery blanket or really flat pillow in place of a yoga blanket, and you can use several pillows in place of a bolster. But over the years I've asked my family for various pieces of yoga equipment for Christmas presents, and the bolster is kind of amazing if you ever do meditation in restorative poses.

[lilac05]

I love yoga by Adrienne, too. I don't use anything. I have a mat somewhere, but often just do it on the carpet.

[janegold]

I only use a mat but if you aren't particularly flexible, you will likely find a block or two to be helpful, as others have suggested.

[RoxMonster]

Thanks for all the input. I got a "beginner's yoga" kit at Target that had a mat, a block, and a strap for $30 (the other mats alone were like $35). I may eventually want a higher-quality mat but this is fine for now. I also think I may buy a yoga blanket because I ended up using a beach towel today 

I did a beginner yoga video by Adriene and it was great. Guys, I have like zero flexibility. There were sometimes I could not do the pose and just went into child's pose, but I have to say, I feel wonderful now that I did it. After a tough hike and a long bike ride this weekend, my muscles were very stiff and sore, and they feel so stretched out now. It's also cool and raining, so listening to the rain through my window was perfectly peaceful.

I would love to try out an actual class sometime. I just feel way too self-conscious at the stage I'm at right now, but my goal is to get comfortable enough and build up a bit of flexibility so I can check out a class by the end of summer.

[mrhanky]

Jun 26, 2017 16:33:41 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

Thanks for all the input. I got a "beginner's yoga" kit at Target that had a mat, a block, and a strap for $30 (the other mats alone were like $35). I may eventually want a higher-quality mat but this is fine for now. I also think I may buy a yoga blanket because I ended up using a beach towel today 

I did a beginner yoga video by Adriene and it was great. Guys, I have like zero flexibility. There were sometimes I could not do the pose and just went into child's pose, but I have to say, I feel wonderful now that I did it. After a tough hike and a long bike ride this weekend, my muscles were very stiff and sore, and they feel so stretched out now. It's also cool and raining, so listening to the rain through my window was perfectly peaceful.

I would love to try out an actual class sometime. I just feel way too self-conscious at the stage I'm at right now, but my goal is to get comfortable enough and build up a bit of flexibility so I can check out a class by the end of summ.

I'm so glad you enjoyed some yoga. It's a great counterbalance to hiking and biking. And seriously, don't feel self-conscious about going to a class. Everyone is too busy worrying about themselves to notice what anybody else is doing. And a good instructor (go to a studio that has RYT-200 teachers) will help you get into poses correctly and safely to get the most out of the pose. Enjoy!! 😀

[wambam]

I will add to the friendly pile on: def go to a class! I was a hot mess the first yoga class I took, even though I was fit. I had no idea what I was doing. You'll learn SO much!

[Deleted]

I will also endorse going to a class. Studios often have beginner-level classes, and they expect that you may not know what you are doing; it's fine to be there Classes will help with confidence, learning how to transition between poses safely, and give you modifications if something isn't working for your body.