It’s been a year since I first started attending yoga classes and there are several items I swear by that have transformed my experience. If you’re starting out on your yoga journey or are looking for ways to get more out of your practice, hopefully the below products will make a difference.
I attend a variety of yoga classes, including Vinyasa Flow, Restorative and Slow Flow, and like to practice on my own at home. When I’m having a particularly stressful day or I am feeling exhausted, a quick five-minute yoga session focusing on my breathing can really help.
Every class offers a differing level of intensity and varying movements, however I use the below products in all of my practices. As yoga involves your mind, body and spirit, I always try to go into a class open-minded, with some of the below items really helping with the relaxation element of yoga.
READ MORE: Everything a running beginner needs to start the Couch to 5K in January from trainers to headphones
READ MORE: ‘I hated running but these four things helped me conquer 10k’
Avoalre Foldable Travel Yoga Mat – £23.99
My round-up of essential yoga products has to kick off with arguably the most important item – a reliable mat. Many people opt for a roll up mat, however I find they can be distracting during your practice, as they can start to roll up while you’re trying to balance.
I’ve been using the Avoalre Travel Yoga Mat for over six months and it hasn’t distracted me or caused any discomfort this entire time. Available on Amazon for £23.99, the foldable mat comes in several colours and includes a handy carry bag. It’s non-slip, giving you peace of mind, and has no chemical smell that some mats can have.
I find it’s the perfect thickness, as it’s not too thin that you can feel the floor, but it’s not too thick that you wobble. The mat is a popular choice, with 70% of 3,500 Amazon reviewers awarding it five stars. The only downside is that tiny bits of the material have started to shed, however this is expected considering I’ve used it multiple times a week for over six months.
Myga Extra Large Foam Yoga Block – £6.39
When I was a yoga beginner, I didn’t think I’d find blocks useful – how wrong I was. I use this Myga Yoga Block from Superdrug (£6.39) in every class, as it helps me to achieve certain poses where I’m required to balance on one foot, such as Half Moon and Warrior III.
I find you’re more likely to attempt a pose with a block next to you to balance on if needed, so it helps you challenge yourself and improve your strength. I also begin my yoga session sitting on the block while setting my intentions, as it’s much more comfortable than sitting on the mat.
The block is super lightweight and fits neatly in my gym bag. It’s made from a scratch-resistant foam, so even though I’ve been using it for months, it still looks as good as new.
EXERZ Yoga Bricks (two pack) – £8.99
Similar to the above yoga block, bricks are a great tool in helping you achieve certain yoga poses. They’re thicker than the block above, making them easier to grip hold of in more difficult balancing poses.
Amazon is offering a pack of two EXERZ Yoga Bricks in a variety of colours for £8.99. The lightweight bricks are made from an anti-slip material, offering peace of mind as you achieve the perfect pose.
These bricks are an Amazon’s Choice product, and while one person noted they arrived ‘slightly marked’, many others are delighted with them. One buyer said: “Easy to use and comfortable making some poses much better to maintain.”
SPA CEYLON SLEEP Body & Pillow Mist – £14.63
Probably the most unexpected product I’ve found that can really transform a yoga practice is a relaxing pillow spray. If I’m taking part in a Restorative yoga class with meditation and breathing sections, I’ll spritz the spray over my mat before the class begins.
If it’s a more active and invigorating class, I’ll wait until the final relaxation section of the practice and then use the spray. I’ve used several pillow sprays, including the SPA CEYLON SLEEP Body & Pillow Mist.
It’s quite pricey compared to others on the market with it usually retailing for £19.50 (it’s currently £14.63 on Amazon), but I find the gorgeous lavender, patchouli and ylang ylang scent really helps me get into a meditative state and relaxes my body. I’m not the only one who finds a relaxing scent helps when practising yoga, as a couple of my teachers will often spritz the room with a dreamy scent before we begin.
Dr Arthritis Wrist Support – £9.95
If you’ve got weak wrists or are recovering from an injury, wrist supports are a no-brainer when practising yoga. I’ve found, however, that they’re ideal even if you don’t have any wrist issues.
I own a few Dr Arthritis Wrist Supports and have found them really helpful in maintaining stability in certain postures, such as Downward-Facing Dog. I can hold positions for longer and don’t get sore wrists which occasionally happened before I started wearing the supports.
You can buy an individual wrist support from Amazon for £9.95, or a pack of two for £17.95. Each wrist support has a secure, non-slip wrap system that ensures it will stay in place. In the reviews section, a couple of shoppers found the Velcro to be ‘scratchy’; however, this isn’t an issue I have had.
90 Degree By Reflex Yoga Leggings – £32.92
There’s nothing more distracting than the waistband of your leggings slowly rolling down as you’re trying to balance or the leg gradually riding up as you’re attempting to master your Warrior pose. I’ve tried many different yoga leggings over the past year, but 90 Degree By Reflex is the brand that has impressed me the most.
The yoga leggings are incredibly comfortable and flexible, plus they stay in place throughout the entire session thanks to them having a chunky high waistband. Even in longer 90-minute classes, I’ve never had to stop my practice to pull my leggings up or shimmy the legs back over my ankles.
The yoga leggings are available on Amazon in dozens of colours and come in sizes XS to 3XL, with each option varying in price. They also feature tummy control and have pockets for storing your phone, making them a great option for other exercises, too.
With 22,700 Amazon reviews, I’m clearly not the only person who adores the leggings, however sadly not everyone thinks they’re perfect. One shopper noted: “They roll/slide down and feel too tight.”
Relaxation Eye Pillow – £16
Last but not least, an eye pillow is an essential product during the relaxation and meditation sections of my yoga practices. Various options are available, including unscented ones; however, I love using a lavender-filled eye pillow.
Debenhams is selling an aromatherapy Relaxation Eye Pillow for £16 that contains dried lavender and 100% natural flaxseed. It’s designed for yoga and meditation. It’s soft and lightweight and comfortably hugs your eyes and forehead, blocking out light and releasing facial tension.
As well as helping me to get into the zone, the eye pillow encourages me to relax my face, getting rid of all tension. Sometimes, there can be slight distractions in class, such as someone coughing or sneezing, and I find the eye pillow helps keep my eyes closed no matter what’s going on around me.
