Sticky Mat

Any frequent practitioner of the ancient art of yoga will want one of these – after all, what’s yoga without a mat?  But why a ‘sticky’ mat?  Isn’t that kind of gross?  No, don’t worry – it’s not an oversized roll of flypaper!  The sticky mat is a mat with some textured plastic on the surface that helps yoga people grip the mat to get better follow-through on a variety of poses like arcing stretches and supine positions.

You don’t have to worry that things are going to ‘stick’ to your mat – and the sticky mat can easily be rolled up for portability.  The sticky mat is thick enough to provide comfort and a buffer against the floor without being too thick to comfortably stand on.  Unlike some other mats, it won’t affect your balance.

Sticky mats come in various sizes and colors.  Find one that fits your yoga style and your personal mood, and get it into your ‘yoga toolbox’ for a more comfortable yoga session.  Choosing a quality mat is part of what will keep you engaged in yoga – as it will provide a lot of the support for your yoga practice, the mat is important.  It’s a “constant yoga companion”…and something that will definitely go with you to the gym or other space where you want to use yoga to define body tone, bust stress, and explore your meditative side.  You’ll rely on your mat for a great experience as you continue this ‘healing art’.

Yoga Blocks

These fitness tools, often called ‘yoga bricks’, are perfect for getting advanced yoga moves into your collection.  These blocks can be made of lightweight foam for a more versatile session, or of wood for solid blocking techniques.  Different kinds of blocks help you work your body in different ways, which is why it can be a good idea to try and evaluate both before making a final decision (you’ll also want to pick out colors you like!)

Yoga blocks can help you raise your body off of the ground in what some might call “gate” or “suspended” activities.  This can be very beneficial to your limbs, joints, and abs, as your body practices lifting and balance simultaneously.

One example of a yoga move using blocks would be what yoga gurus refer to as Downward facing Dog Pose, where the blocks are useful in filling the gap between your hands and the floor.  Other activities use the blocks similarly to help those with a limited range of motion go through various poses, whether it’s providing a buffer between limbs, or re-positioning the back for a less intensive adaptation to a certain extreme position - and lots of us need a little help with our backs from time to time!

Whether you’re using the blocks for advanced moves or as yoga “helpers”, they may become a top priority in your bag of yoga gear.  Find a set you can “pack and carry” along with all of your other yoga pillows, yoga mats, yoga sticks, yoga straps…you get the picture.