| Yoga is an excellent vehicle for slowing the mind | | | | influence on that work. There is a considerable |
| and getting in touch with the true nature of things. | | | | overlap between the Hindu yoga tradition and |
| While you can achieve these benefits with no | | | | Buddhism. |
| accessories, sometimes having the right | | | | Rumor has it that he bought no equipment to aid |
| equipment can aid in your comfort and | | | | his Yoga practice. |
| enjoyment of your Yoga practice. | | | | ************************************ |
| Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices | | | | There are a number of other items you can buy |
| originating in India. It is one of the six schools of | | | | to use in your sessions as well. Many things can |
| Hindu philosophy. In India and across the World, | | | | be used to correct your posture. Blocks made |
| Yoga is seen as a means to both physical health | | | | especially for yoga students are available in most |
| and spiritual mastery. Outside India, Yoga has | | | | stores. Made of dense foam, they can be used to |
| become primarily associated with the practice of | | | | help learn specific positions. They are light and |
| asanas or postures of Hatha Yoga. | | | | durable, so you can easily take them to and from |
| In the United States the American Fitness | | | | class. Bolsters can also be used for the same |
| Professionals & Associates offers Yoga | | | | purpose, and although they are heavier, they |
| Certification for intructors. | | | | more easily conform to the shape you need. |
| If you are a beginning yoga student, there are a | | | | Next, you may consider purchasing a bag to |
| number of items you may want to consider | | | | carry your equipment. Mats can be large and |
| purchasing to help with your training. Yoga | | | | cumbersome, and many yoga companies make |
| equipment will keep you safe, and also help you | | | | special bags in which they will fit, along with your |
| find the correct posture for various poses. In a | | | | other yoga items. Again, remember to find a |
| class, a teacher or gym may provide the basic | | | | material that is not only durable, but also |
| equipment you need, but if you are doing yoga at | | | | washable, so that you can prevent the spread of |
| home or wish to have your own items, you'll need | | | | germs. |
| to go shopping. | | | | More advanced yoga students may wish to |
| First a foremost, it is important for anyone | | | | consider other props to help with stretching and |
| practicing yoga to have a good mat. Mats come in | | | | correcting postures. A yoga sling, for example, |
| all shapes and sizes, so you have many choices | | | | can be mounted to any ceiling and used to do |
| when making a purchase. Look for a mat that is | | | | inverted positions. Yoga ropes also come in handy |
| large enough for you when you are sitting. You | | | | here, and sets of ropes can be mounted to your |
| also want to make sure your mat is dense | | | | walls and ceilings to help your posture and |
| enough so you don't sink into it and wobble when | | | | flexibility. If those sound a bit too advanced for |
| you are doing poses. Mats that are lined with | | | | you, consider sandbags with handles. These can |
| non-slide material are your safest bet, as they will | | | | be used to create a bigger stretch when you are |
| protect you even when you are doing more | | | | doing certain poses. |
| complicated poses. Whatever you choose, be | | | | Lastly, you can purchase yoga books and videos |
| sure that it is washable-many can be cleaned in a | | | | to help you continue the learning process at home |
| washing machine. Remember, yoga is exercise, so | | | | if you are in class, or on a deeper level if you |
| wash your mat every few sessions to prevent | | | | already study at home. Learning new poses is |
| the spread of bacteria and other germs. | | | | always easiest when you have a live instructor, |
| ************************************ | | | | but videos and books can double in a pinch and |
| Did you know? | | | | they make great gifts for any yoga student in |
| Buddha, who is estimated to have lived 563 to | | | | your life. |
| 483 BC, is believed to have studied what was | | | | Make sure that you don't lose track of why you |
| known of yoga at that time as part of an | | | | are practicing yoga. It's not about the equipment |
| extensive education in Hindu philosophy. It is also | | | | or other accessories, but rather the physical, |
| very likely, given the rapid growth of Buddhism | | | | mental and emotional benefits you'll receive. Enjoy |
| after his death and before the Bhagavad Gita | | | | it! |
| was composed, that Buddhism had some | | | | |