Beginner’s Guide: Your First Yoga Essentials

New to Yoga?

Here is a beginner’s guide to your first yoga essentials!

Find out what each prop has to offer, get tips on your first essentials and start your yoga journey with Aladastra.

 

Yoga is not just a workout and stretching routine. It is an ancient practice with Indian origins that involves movement, meditation, and breathing techniques to promote mental and physical well-being. 

A mind and body practice with various styles and disciplines that combines physical postures, deep breathing, meditation, concentration and relaxation.

Before you start practicing Yoga, it is very important and helpful to browse through its history and philosophy.

 

The health and wellness benefits are countless.

 

A regular form of yoga practice promotes endurance, strength, calmness and flexibility. 

When you first start doing yoga, you can’t really know what gear you need.

That’s where we come in, to help you find those first essentials, either you start a home or a studio practice.

 

 la luna yoga mat

 

Before we start, it’s important to mention that being comfortable while practicing yoga is very important.

That is why you find a comfy outfit of your choice.

Wether you’re a yoga pants or a sweatpants person, it is up to you.

Just keep in mind to wear an outfit that allows you to move freely. 

Now let’s dive into your first yoga essentials!

 

Finding the perfect Yoga Mat

 

yoga mats

 

 

First things first, time to pick your Yoga Mat. As we always say here at Aladastra, your mat is your altar.

Therefore, it is crucial that you find a mat that fulfils your needs.

Some aspects you should look out for are length, thickness, material, durability, comfort and traction.

 

What may seem secondary but we find to be very important is the designs, symbols and colours of your mat.

You need to connect with your mat, meditate on the patterns and breathe in therapeutic hues and shades. 

Our Classic and Super Grip Yoga Mats collections are ideal for beginners and will give you a helping hand with correct positioning and alignment.

 

 

moonlit forest yoga mat

 

 

Both collections have one simple purpose: to transport you to your comfort zone with a single step on your mat.

Take your time, read the story of each mat you like and choose the one that is more in line with you and what you want to achieve.

Visualise your mat in your personal space. 

 

 

classic yoga mats       super grip yoga mats

 

 

The premium quality of PVC we use is extremely dense which means that it’s super comfortable on high stress asanas while remaining super lightweight easy to care for and carry.

The familiar designs and mental marks will help you delve into your practice in no time. 

The Super Grip collection follow the same follow the same philosophy and ethical production as our Classic Yoga Mats.

The difference lies in the larger unprinted white areas, that are extremely grippy and have a high friction tolerance.

 

 

EXPLORE THE CLASSIC YOGA MATS COLLECTION HERE

 

 

EXPLORE THE SUPER GRIP YOGA MATS COLLECTION HERE

 

 

 

Yoga Strap or Yoga buddy?

 

 

yoga straps

 

 

Yoga Straps are going to become your new best friend.

The kind of friend that always pushes you to reach your full potential but simultaneously providing a safety net.

The oldest yoga prop, Iyengar refashioned an ancient yogic technology to fit the modern and evolving needs of yoga practice and teaching.

It’s a must-have in our beginner’s guide to your first yoga essentials, as it provides support for balance and stretching exercises.

 

 

yoga straps

 

 

The strap will assist you in reaching the next level of your practice in you own pace, by more intense stretching and reaching more difficult asanas step by step.

Moreover, it will give you control and the ability to keep poses for a longer amount of time allowing you to observe your body by safely stretching further and deepening your practice. 

Our Aladastra Yoga Straps have a shiny twist in a feast of colours. Add a delicate and discreet shine to your everyday practice.

 

 

yoga straps

 

EXPLORE ALL STRAPS HERE

 

 

 

Yoga Towels or Yoga Blankets?

 

 

yoga towels

 

 

A towel is always needed when exercising, whether it’s for wiping that extra sweat or to cover and protect your mat or even to use as a blanket to accompany your Savasana. 

Our Yoga Towels Collection consists of two sizes:

the Large Towels or Blankets and the Small Hand Towels. 

 

Both series are made from high-tech microfibre that makes them compact, lightweight, ultra-absorbent, quick-drying, and eco-friendly.

Also, grip increases when wet. 

 

Use your Large Towel as a blanket with a silky soft touch and wipe off sweat from an intense practice with your Small Towel that will dry within minutes.

 

 

yoga towels

 

Learn more about our Towels Collection on ourMeet our Yoga, Sports & Leisure Towels Diary post.

 

 

EXPLORE ALL TOWELS HERE

 

 

 

A lil something extra: the Yoga Pad

 

 

yoga pads

 

 

A Yoga Pad is an imperative and multifunctional prop for beginners. 

Firstly, it provides extra cushioning, comfort and protection, as it adds a layer under your knees.

It will assist your alignment and meditation. Measure perfect head-stand positions and focus your mind on the colours and symbols, designed specifically to help you concentrate.

 

 

yoga pads

 

 

Also, a Yoga Pad offers a portable solution when you cannot carry your full sized mat but still want the hygiene and comfort of your own personal space.

Our Aladastra Yoga Pads can be used over your full sized Aladastra Yoga Mat.

 

 

yoga pads

 

 

Learn more on our YOGA PADS: what are they and how to use them? Diary post.

 

 

EXPLORE ALL PADS HERE

 

 

 

Clean is happy: the Yoga Mat Cleanser

 

Cleaning your Yoga Mat and Pad before or after your practice is very important.

Our Aladastra Yoga Mat Cleansers are natural sprays with double distilled water and organic essential oils.

They disinfect all surfaces and enhance yoga and meditation.

Also, they are safe for your skin, so feel free to use them as face and body mists.

 

 

cleanser i cleanser ii

 

 

cleanser iii cleanser iv

 

 

We suggest that you clean your mat daily. Pre or post practice, spray generously across your mat and pat with a cloth.

Air dry before rolling or using.

 

If you don’t exercise every day or you don’t have the time to clean your mat daily, you can do a deep yoga mat cleanse weekly.

Generously spray directly onto the surface of the mat and let it soak for 5 minutes.

After that, using a damp cloth wipe down your mat and let it air dry.

 

 

EXPLORE ALL CLEANSERS HERE

 

 

 

surya yoga mat

 

 

That was our beginner’s guide to your first yoga essentials!

 

 

You are now ready to stimulate your inner piece, cultivate your mental focus and expand your physical and spiritual energy. 

Most importantly, as you begin your Yoga journey, we wish that you’ll love it as much as we do!

 

 

Stay tuned for more,

Aladastra's Diary

 

 

 

 

 

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