Yoga and other mind-body disciplines such as Pilates represent the most rapidly expanding area of the fitness industry. The minimal space and equipment required to practice yoga make it an ideal in home workout and the number of DVDs and small props, such as yoga balls, straps and blocks currently on the market reflect the popularity of yoga. Using a stability ball during your yoga practice can help support certain postures as well as add a balance challenge to those students who are more advanced.
What to Look for
There are many different types of stability balls available for purchase to help enhance your yoga practice. The most important thing to consider when buying a yoga ball is the size of the ball. A 55" ball is suitable for individuals under 5'4", while the 65" ball is appropriate for people who are between 5'4" and six feet tall. Finally, the 75" ball is for anyone over six feet tall. In addition to the size of the ball, you want to make sure that the yoga ball that you purchase is made of a durable material so that it does not pop during use. Also, the ball that you purchase should come with a pump as well as an instructional video demonstrating how to use the yoga ball. Due to the popularity of core training, you can find a stability ball for purchase at almost any retail sporting goods store, such as Sports Authority. If you choose to purchase your yoga ball on the Internet, make sure that you read the customer reviews to ensure that you are getting a high quality product.
Common Pitfalls
While stability balls are readily available and a great tool to help enhance your yoga practice, there are several things to consider before you purchase a yoga ball. For example, make sure that the ball is burst-resistant, especially if you plan on using the ball for other types of core training. In addition, be sure that the ball that you buy comes with an instructional DVD, especially if you are new to yoga. While adding the support of a stability ball can certainly enhance your practice, you can also injure your body if the ball that you use is not the right size for you or pops while you are using it. Yoga is certainly restorative in nature, but is also a very challenging discipline. You may find that in the early stages of your practice, you may not even want to use the ball until you are more comfortable with the exercises.
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