What Size Yoga Ball To Get

Adding a stability ball to your yoga poses can merge an unconventional tool with an ancient practice. Look for yoga ball classes at yoga studios, community centers, health clubs and hospitals to learn the techniques. Choose your ball with care, as not all sizes and styles are appropriate for all users. Talk with your doctor about choosing an exercise program that is appropriate for your needs.

Poses

Yoga enthusiasts can support and deepen many classic poses using a stability ball. Bridge, normally an athletic back-bending pose, becomes restorative and relaxing when performed with a ball to support the spine. Seated poses become more active as yogis work to stabilize the ball as they move their arms. Twisting movements deepen as the ball supports body weight, enabling muscles to lengthen, rather than contract.

Adults

Large balls, between 55 and 75 cm, are appropriate for adults. Choose a ball that allows you to sit on it with a 90-degree angle at your hips. Using a ball that is too large for you may not allow you to reach the floor in some yoga poses, making them unstable and less relaxing. Using a ball that is too small for you can cause frustration, as you may not be able to extend your limbs fully when appropriate. Gaiam Life recommends a 55 cm ball for those 5 feet to 5 feet, 5 inches tall, a 65 cm call for those 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall and a 75 cm ball for those over 6 feet tall.

Children

Specialty manufacturers make smaller balls sized for children. The LifeTips website recommends a 45 cm ball for those under 4 feet, 8 inches tall. Balls 'n' Bands makes a 30 cm ball for smaller children. Kids can also use a hoppy style ball with a handle for yoga poses, which gives them extra stability and the ability to burn off energy by hopping around the room in between poses.

Tips

When first inflating your ball, fill it until it is firm, but not larger than the size you have purchased. Overfilling a ball can cause it to burst during use. After a few days, your ball will likely soften a bit. You can let air out to achieve your desired level of firmness and stability. Check with your manufacturer to determine the weight limit for your ball. If you find that a standard ball does not provide enough stability for your yoga poses, consider using an inflated peanut-shaped ball instead.