YOGA FOR BEGINNERSbrands and stores carry yoga clothes. When shopping, look
for things that are comfortable. Then, try them on and move
around. Here’s a little test for pants. In the dressing room,
bend at your hips and reach for your toes. If the pants stay
up and they’re not see-through, they’ll work. If the waist-
band starts to creep toward your thighs and you can see your
undergarments, look for a different pair. Men’s pants tend to
be a little looser and a little less transparent than women’s.
Again, try them on. Make sure you can move freely in them
without getting caught in the fabric and without having
them sink down.
Getting Your Props
Once you’ve got your clothing figured out, there are a few
more things you might need to help your practice. These
items are listed in order of necessity.
YOGA MAT: This is a definite must-have. When shopping
for a mat, place your hand on it to see if it slides easily.
If it does, look for a different mat. You want a mat that
has some stickiness or grip to it so that when you’re
moving through the poses or holding them for extended
periods of time, your hands and feet do not slip or slide.
YOGA BLOCKS: These come in pretty standard sizes, and
you really can’t go wrong with your purchase. Stay away
from anything that is too squishy, which might collapse
if you put any weight on it; otherwise, any yoga block
should work. If you’re purchasing blocks, then buy two.
Having the second one will make some of the poses
easier to access.