Yoga Essentials as a Yoga Teacher

As a yoga teacher, I love to utilize yoga props in my practice to deepen stretches, improve alignment, and promote relaxation. Not only do we carry them in the studio, I keep the essentials at home to make my flows smoother and more transformative. Reach new dimensions in your yoga practice with these game changing props.

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Yoga Prop Essentials

• Yoga Mat
• Yoga Blocks
• Yoga Stretching Straps
• Hot Yoga Towel

Yoga Mat

“And now, the journey of yoga begins.” – First Yoga Sutra

Your yoga mat is the starting point of your practice.

There are many kinds on the market, often made of PVC Foam, Cork, or Rubber. Most gyms or schools will carry foam yoga mats, while cork and rubber work better for Hot Yoga, Pilates, or HIIT.

Most standard yoga mats are 72″ L and 24″ W

The depth is going to vary based on your preferences: 3mm being the minimum, while 6mm will offer more support if you find yourself needing more support on your wrists and knees.

The texture of your mat will also have an impact on your practice.

Cork and rubber mats tend to be on the smoother side, but their material is naturally more absorbent.

Foam mats, however, will often have a slightly bumpy texture to help with your grip.

For my home and non-heated practices, I practice on my Gaiam Reversible 6mm Nonslip Fitness Mat. I like to flip the designs depending on my mood. The grippy texture is nice for when I do hot or gently-heated classes, however I do recommend a Yoga Mat Towel if you intend on doing Hot Yoga with it.

Gaiam has an extensive selection when it comes to designs for their mats and props.

Yoga Blocks

Bring the earth to you.

Blocks help provide space for difficult poses, allowing you to feel the best stretch within your reach. Each side has a different height (9″ W x 6″ H x 4″ D), which act as different settings: High, Medium, and Low.

Yoga blocks are also incredible for gently supported backbends, laying over them in the right spots.

Blocks are often made of foam, which is highly recommended if you are using them for supported backbends and other restorative poses. They also come in cork, a durable and hard material that is naturally nonslipping, making it perfect for Hot Yoga.

I use blocks to demo along with my students, as well as to help reach new lengths within my own practice.

Buyer beware: Sometimes blocks are sold individually, but this Gaiam Essentials Foam Block Set of 2 is excellent of beginners, and non-slip as well if you are planning on Hot Yoga classes.

Yoga Stretching Straps

Easy reaching.

Yoga stretching straps are frequently used to help ease yourself into those hard-to-reach poses.

They come with Loops or an Adjustable version.

I’ve commonly seen them used in seated Forward Folds or Legs Up the Wall poses, looped around feet while your hands gently tug your hamstrings open.

I personally use them in King Pigeon pose to assist my shoulders overhead, bringing my foot closer to my head.

Yoga Mat Towel

Never let them catch you slipping.

Seriously, bringing a hot yoga towel to a heated class makes all the difference.

Nothing disrupts your flow like your sweaty hands and feet slipping around, taking you out of your moving meditation as you struggle to stay steady.

There is the option of bringing a standard towel to dry off with, but they aren’t very stable when you try to balance and flow on them.

Yoga mat towels, on the other hand, are super absorbent on top and grippy underneath, stabilizing your practice with its dotted texture that sticks to your mat.

The soft microfiber absorbs your sweat while you power through your Hot Yoga or Pilates session.

They come in all sorts of colors and designs. Eunzel offers a ton of funky designs, that are also very durable and efficient for your heated practices.

Though I normally use a rubber mat for my hot practices, I make sure to always bring a towel for extra grip and support.

Thanks for Reading!