Tips for Getting Started with Yoga
What you may need to get started with yoga at home
Yoga is a practice that allows you to relax and become more mentally, physically, and spiritually connected with themselves. When practicing yoga, there are some aspects that can help make the process more comfortable, relaxing, and enjoyable. This article will describe the basics to help you get started with yoga at home.
Yoga Mat vs Yoga Towel
A yoga mat is a mat designed specifically for yoga uses. Yoga mats come in a variety lengths, thickness, and designs. Yoga mats are used to provide a stable, non-slip surface. A stable surface is important for maintaining balance and proper alignment. They also act as a form of cushion for your back and joints while you perform the poses. Almost all yoga mats have straps that allow them to be easily rolled and transported for convenience.
Overtime, a yoga mat may lose its durability as the material starts to wear down, developing tears or holes and affecting the cushion mechanism. Although yoga mats are not affected by minor sweating, they can become slippery when wet. They are often made out of polyvinyl chloride. However, Polyvinyl chloride is not a natural or biodegradable material. As a result, most people prefer to use yoga mats made out of thermoplastic elastomers, natural rubber, or cork to be more environmentally friendly. Yoga mats need to be cleaned frequently—similar to our bedding in a way—as bacteria and other microorganisms can develop overtime, leading to health concerns.
A yoga towel is a specialized towel designed specifically for yoga uses. They are often made from absorbent materials, such as microfiber or cotton. They also provide a non-slip surface during yoga. However, they are often more sweat absorbent compared to yoga mats and are made out of materials that are more friendly for the environment and for our skin. Yoga towels can be placed on top of a yoga mat as an extra layer of slip protection and cushion, as well as a hygienic barrier between your body and the mat.
Yoga towels can wear out over time, especially if used frequently. They can easily bunch up or slip if it is not properly aligned with the yoga mat underneath or placed on a smooth surface. Similar to yoga mats, yoga towels have to be cleaned often, but are easier to wash than yoga mats. Finally, yoga towels may require a little water to become more grippy—not all, but yoga towels generally have a better grip when moist.
Yoga Bricks
Yoga bricks, also called yoga blocks, are one the most popular “yoga accessories”. These bricks can come in different sizes and are often made out of cork, foam, rubber, or wood. Yoga bricks can help you form and hold poses, and aid in balance to prevent. The most common benefit of a yoga brick is that it brings the ground closer. If your hands are unable to reach the surface in a certain pose, a yoga brick can act as the additional connector between you and the ground without adding strain to your body. Yoga bricks can help release tension and prevent injuries through modification. Yoga is meant to be relaxing. While some poses are more challenging than others, a yoga brick can be added as a modification to make the pose easier to accomplish. Most people will put a yoga brick under their hips to help elevate the body for a specific pose, or between their forehead and the surface if they could not fully place their head on the surface so that they do not strain their neck.
What to Consider
Beginners can definitely practice yoga at home. YouTube, blogs, and virtual yoga programs are all examples of sources where you can learn yoga. The two factors to consider are creating a Yoga Space and having a regular yoga routine.
Having your own yoga space allows for less distractions and easier concentration. This can be a small corner in a room or an empty guest room where there are little to no distractions and enough space for you to stretch and perform different poses. If possible, surround yourself with nature, which can help you feel grounded before even beginning. Putting on calm, steady music can also help you feel more relaxed during your yoga session. Lighting is important as artificial lighting and overly bright settings can be a form of distraction, thus preventing relaxation. If natural lighting is not available, you can use candles, plug in night lamps, or any other form of soft lighting. Having a full length mirror can help with making sure that your posture is correct and make adjustments as needed. However, do not let perfection overshadow your ultimate goal of relaxation and mental, physical, and spiritual connection. If the space allows, you can simply leave your yoga equipment where it is and not have to worry about taking it out every time you need it.
It may not always be the case, but one way to make sure that you are even able to get to yoga during your week is to create a routine and make it a part of your schedule. A routine allows you to prepare ahead of time so that you are mentally and physically set and ready to go by the time your yoga time starts. There are no specific requirements for how long or how often you need to practice yoga, but having a routine allows you to make time for yoga and experiment with when yoga is best fit for you. Many people like to do yoga in the morning or afternoon, while most prefer to do yoga in the evening or at night because of their busy schedule. You can keep yoga solely for the weekends or every other day. You can put down yoga in your schedule for mornings on certain days and nights on other days.
Yoga is focused on you and can be a great contributor to overall health. There may be basic additions and considerations that are needed before starting, but all can be easily modified and adapted to your preference. Overall, yoga is a great practice to engage in and easy to get started on.
References:
Charmed Yoga Team (2022). The yoga towel guide – Do you need a yoga towel? https://charmedyoga.com/yoga-towel-guide/
CorkYogis (2021). 6 benefits of yoga blocks (and how to use them). https://www.corkyogis.com/blog/how-to-use-yoga-block
Felton, A. & Sachdev, P. (2022). How to use blocks for yoga. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/how-to-use-blocks-for-yoga
Speck Yoga Fitness Group Limited (n.d.). Yoga mat vs yoga towel. https://www.yogafitness.group/yoga-mat-vs-yoga-towel/
Team Pelton (2023). Everything you need to start your at-home yoga practice. Pelton Interactive Incorporated.https://www.onepeloton.com/blog/yoga-at-home/
Disclaimer: At It’sFetch, we strive to provide valuable and reliable health information through our blog. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that the content on our blog is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified medical professional.