Various yoga and meditation products can help to make your practice easier and more comfortable. Before you begin a yoga or meditation practice, you should have certain basic tools at your disposal to facilitate difficult postures, promote correct alignment and make restorative poses more relaxing.
Yoga Mat
One of the most important products you need for any yoga practice is a yoga mat. Most teachers recommend that you practice yoga in bare feet. The yoga mat, referred to as a sticky mat by some yoga teachers, provides cushioning and support for standing and reclining yoga postures. The Gaiam Life website recommends that you consider several features before purchasing a yoga mat. Standard yoga mats range from 1/8 inch to 1/16 inch in thickness; thicker mats provide more cushioning, but can be more difficult to roll up and are therefore a bit more difficult to transport. The material of your yoga mat can also play a role in durability, stickiness and texture. Most yoga mats are made of PVC, but if you're more earth-conscious, you can also purchase mats made from organic cotton.
Bolsters
Bolsters are used in some reclining yoga poses and meditative postures such as savasana. Bolsters come in various shapes and sizes. You can use a smaller bolster under your knees for extra support if you have joint problems, lower-back problems or tightness in your knees. Certain postures, such as the restorative twist, are facilitated by using a medium-sized bolster and a pillow to lean your upper body on. Other restorative poses, such as the elevated legs-up-the-wall pose, use a bolster to support and keep your spine in proper alignment, "Yoga Journal" magazine explains on its website.
Yoga Blocks
If you're yet not as flexible as you'd like, yoga blocks can make it easier for you to perform certain poses. Yoga blocks are generally made of sturdy foam and are available in various heights. You'll need to choose the height that best suits your needs based on your own level of flexibility. Poses such as trikonasana or uttanasana usually require that you touch the floor with your hands. However, this can be difficult if you have tight hamstrings or knee issues. A yoga block provides extra support and height so that you only have to rest your hands on the block instead of the floor.
Meditation Cushion
A meditation cushion is a beneficial product not only for traditional seated meditation but also for seated breathing exercises and meditations performed during a yoga class. Cushions come in various shapes, sizes and materials, so personal preference dictates what cushion is best for you. Many practitioners use a zafu, a traditional round, pleated cushion that supports and raises your hips, the Sage Meditation website reports, but there are also several additional options if you have joint problems or other issues that make the zafu uncomfortable for use. Wooden meditation stools can be used if your hips or knees are tight. You can kneel on the floor while resting your buttocks on the seat. For people who prefer less cushioning than a zafu, a buckwheat pillow can be used to provide gentle padding without raising the hips so high off the floor.
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