One of the things I love most about yoga is that it’s all about you and your journey. It’s not about the instructor. It’s not about the other students in class. It’s about you. And the way you move and progress through your practice is uniquely centered on you. You don’t have to worry about anyone else but you and how your body feels.
Your Yoga Is Your Story
You might not think it, but there is story in yoga–it’s your journey. It starts with how you got there. Maybe a friend invited you to a class, or maybe you decided to try it in college or at a free workshop at work. Or maybe you thought it would be a great way to stretch your body after recovering from childbirth.
Your story progresses as you begin to love yoga and embrace it and do more. It journeys through your inflexibility to more flexible, your imbalance to balance, your confusion of a pose to understanding, and so on.
Your story is beautiful and powerful, because it’s your story, it’s your journey. And it doesn’t matter where everyone else is or isn’t, what matters is how you’re listening to your body and how you’re embracing movement and meditation.
A Good Story Needs Gear
Yes, you are the hero of your yoga story. And I want and hope for you to keep succeeding, to keep going, to keep progressing. And with any good story, you must have lots of helps along the way: A mentor, tools, cheerleaders, things and people to help you keep going and continue to progress.
My advice: Find a good studio or instructor who can help you progress. Make yogi friends who can be your cheerleader, and whom you can cheer for. And get good gear. Good gear makes a difference as you progress in poses, try new poses, and become more flexible. Yes, even if you have the tightest muscles when you begin, yoga will help you loosen those stiff muscles.
Gear Up with My Favorite Yoga Products
To help you along your yoga journey, I share with you my favorite yoga products. These are all products I have and love, otherwise I wouldn’t be sharing. And many you can find on Amazon.
Yoga Mat
I actually have two yoga mat recommendations:
Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
I tried a few yoga mats before I got to this one, and I was instantly in love. This is truly my absolute favorite mat.
Why I love it: I sweat, a lot, even when I’m not doing hot yoga. And this mat soaks it all in instead of puddling and making my practice a slippery mess. I love the way this thing grips, and it has great padding. And speaking of hot yoga, I did hot yoga five days a week for about a year, before the pandemic hit, and this mat got me through a lot of beautiful practices.
YES, I would 100% recommend this mat!
Get the mat here.
Lululemon
I’m unsure exactly which Lululemon yoga mat I have so I’ll just link to the entire mat selection. I asked Scott for a Lululemon yoga mat some years ago because I wanted to try it out. And, I tell you, it does live up to its hype. I got a thick-pad that is so nice to use over our hardwood floors. I would say it is a runner-up to the Jade mat, though. Yes, I use my Lululemon mat everyday because my Jade mat is a little older and needs to be replaced. Although the Lululemon mat has great padding and absorbency, the grip support that the Jade mat has is incomparable.
Find Lululemon yoga mats here.
Yoga Blocks
Manduka Yoga Block
I got my Manduka yoga blocks about three years ago, and love them. What I love: The soft exterior and great support. It’s true that a lot of yoga blocks are similar, but if I had to, I’d get the Manduka yoga blocks again. A good yoga block is great for both modifications and extra stretching. If you’re working on splits, it’s a good idea to use two yoga blocks to prop you up until you’re safely able to get your legs all the way to the ground.
You’ll notice that if you click on the link, you’ll first see the cork blocks. I don’t know much about them, but I don’t trust cork to hold up very long. Click through the options to see the other colors and varieties. I use a dark gray version that holds up very well.
Get the blocks here.
Yoga Strap
Tumaz Yoga Strap/Stretch bands
Yes, I have the Candy version of this strap. Why not? It’s fun. A good yoga strap comes in handy as you’re working to get that extra stretch. It can help you go a little further if you’re more advanced and flexible, and it can help you grasp that leg or foot a little better if your muscles are tighter.
Get the strap here.
Yoga Bolster
AJNA Yoga Bolster Pillow for Meditation and Support
I probably use my yoga bolster more now doing prenatal yoga than I did before, I’ll be honest. But a good bolster makes a difference in a yoga practice. Outside of prenatal yoga, a bolster is great for yin yoga and restorative yoga. And in your personal practice it’s great to help you get that extra stretch or prop you up just right. Yes, you can use blocks in most cases, but a good bolster truly makes a difference when your goal is to relax and restore.
Get the bolster here.
Yoga Outfits
Fabletics
I’ve tried a few companies and out of all of them, I love Fabletics yoga pants and outfits the best. Why I love them:
The yoga leggings waist band is thick and stretchy. I’ve tried brands that look like the waist band is thick, covering most of the torso, but the real band is right at the top and it’s thin and constricting. Not comfortable, especially as you move in and out of poses. The Fabletics waist band is super comfortable and sits in the perfect spot on the waist.
The material is stretchy all through the leggings. It’s soft and comfortable, and it stretches over my thicker thighs so snuggly without feeling constricting.
The sports bras are supportive and comfortable. And cute!
The styles are cute, fun, and always changing. Fabletics is always coming out with new styles, and they are fashionable and good lookin’! 😉
They sell more than just yoga or athletic wear. They sell coats and bags and other things too that are also super cute.
Fabletics is a monthly-subscription site, meaning if you become a member, you get better deals.
See how it works here.
Amazon
Although I haven’t had great luck with many leggings brands, I did find great maternity leggings on Amazon that I definitely have to share with you. When I first got these, I was unsure how they would fit, but then I put them on, and now I think I might have to wear them all the time. My favorite things about these leggings are the wide, comfortable waistband that fits snuggly around my belly, and the stretchy fabric that moves well with my body. If you happen to be in the market for some good maternity leggings, try the AMPOSH Women’s Maternity Capri Yoga Pants.
Get the leggings here.