A Yoga Teacher's Favorite Yoga Essentials
I LOVE having a minimalist yoga kit (Ideally, it’s just me and the beach, lulus optional), but there are a few things I keep around in bulk because I end up recommending them so much I decided to start selling them myself! Why not make a buck to celebrate my suffering shitty yoga mats for 10 years before finding the holy grail?
Yoga Mat
I already reviewed a bunch of yoga mats earlier in my blog, and my favorite remains the Manduka Grp. They have a whole thickness selection now!
You can buy them from my web site for 15% off and free shipping with code HITHERE
Buuuuut I know that throwing down $50-100 for a yoga mat will seem bonkers to many of you, so know that you have other options!!
Y’all don’t need a mat, just a firm ground you don’t mind touching.
That said, corporate places like CorePower Yoga (at the time of writing this, I am employed by them, but get no compensation for mentioning them) often have deals where you can get 2 free weeks of yoga and a yoga mat for $10, so that’s a place to score a deal.
Ross, Marshall’s, outlet stores like those often have yoga mats for under $20.
And here’s a cheap Amazon option.
So what’s the difference between all these mats?
Mats are either open-cell (absorb liquid) or closed call (repel liquid).
Cheap mats are often made of plastic, which is closed call and can seem grippy until you get a drop of sweat on them, and then they’re ice skating rinks. So if you sweat at all, you’ll want to throw a towel over that bad boy (I love these yoga towels, but any old towel will do.)
More expensive mats come in both open and closed-cell technology.
The mat I brought to Mexico is this closed cell beauty, the Manduka Pro.
They take a while to wear in (protip: scrub them with vinegar and sea salt!) but can be grippy and sticky enough for my personal home practice when I don’t sweat that much.
When I use this in a hot studio, I bring a towel because it can get SUPER slippery when I sweat a lot).
But my absolute favorite mat is the Manduka Grp.
It’s huge, so my practice can take up a lot of space.
its grippiness and stickiness are unparalleled: when I pull up to cobra, my belly fat sticks to it 😂😂 It’s like peeling away cellophane.
It’s open-cell, so it absorbs the sweatiest workouts.
It’s thick, so it’s comfortable for hard joints like knees and bony glutes.
So why didn’t I bring this mat to Mexico?
Because I forgot I gave it to a friend and couldn’t order a new one in time!
I do love my Manduka Pro, though. She matches the sunrises here.
Image credit: Amazon
Blocks are useful! I brought two Jade cork blocks with me to Mexico.
Some people prefer the foam because they’re softer. Here’s a good option for you!
You’ll see some non-block shaped blocks like these. I don’t personally have use for them, but you might!
And I’ve never used a yoga wheel like this one, but I know some yogis who absolutely love using it in their practice!
Yoga Strap
Image credit: Amazon
I don’t use a strap every practice; but when I do, I wonder why I don’t use a strap in every practice. 😂
Pro tip: you can make your strap extra-long by strapping two straps together! This is useful for beautiful body shapes that take up more space and also for passive full body stretches.
I travel with 1, but I use 2 on occasion.
Yoga Blankets
Image credit: Amazon
Any blankets will do, but there’s something sweet about a dedicated yoga blanket in your favorite color!
Yoga Balls
These are my best sellers:
The Alpha ball is my personal most used for deep tissue and trigger point release. Omg-the best if you prefer your massage to feel like a steamroller just rolled over you.
The Twin balls are so so good for spinal release, especially massaging the top of your neck near your hairline / occipital processes. You can release the while back fascia line of your body down to your hamstrings by spending a few minutes massaging out those points. So good!
The Coregeous ball is a Pilates ball that I love for core work, stability, and heart openers. If you prefer a massage to be more like petting a cat, this is the ball for you. It’s awesome for those SUPER tender spots that you just can’t touch-you actually release the tension with the same efficacy using gentle, soft, or deep tissue massage! It’s more the personal preference to sensation.
I brought multiples of all three with me to Mexico because I end up selling them to friends, neighbors, and clients as a crucial self-care tool.
I love the texture of these balls, but you can totally get the same effect using a cheap tennis ball!
The other balls I recommend for people with significant wrist issues are these Melt Method balls. They’re incredible for resolving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by squeezing moisture into the damaged soft tissue and tendon areas. I’ve seen them work miracles for people with wrist surgeries and foot problems like plantar fasciitis.
Okay, that’s it!
Those are all the things that have survived in my yoga kit over the course of 10 years.
But remember: you don’t need any of it.
All you need is your focus and your breath. 💛
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