Our Favorite Gear
Pre covid, we were able to share mats, bolsters, straps, blocks and blankets with our students. As an infection control measure, we have asked that you bring your own props since last March. We’re not sure when we’ll be able to share again, and we know that buying props can be overwhelming, so we thought we’d help you out by telling you all our faves.
Many of you have begun a home practice too, so it’s nice to have all your own stuff so you can practice anytime, anywhere!
Let’s start with what you may want or need for each of our classes.
Yoga (1, 2, Rest, Chair, and Yoga for Athletes)
For yoga, you will need: a mat for sure, and you may also want: a strap, blocks, a blanket, a bolster, and/or an eye pillow. For rest classes, you’ll want a strap and blanket at the very least, preferably a bolster and blocks too.
Barre
For barre, you may want to wear barre socks (these are my favorites), and bring a mat and a strap. The barre balls are easy to disinfect, so we are still sharing those!
Cardio (Kickboxing, Dance, Belly Dance)
For cardio and dance classes, you are welcome to bring athletic shoes that have not been worn on the street (you don’t need shoes for belly dance) and a mat for any floor work you may do in class.
Pilates
For pilates, a mat and strap will do!
Now let’s break down how to choose your props, and our recommendations.
Mats
I will be the first to admit that I did not invest in a good yoga mat for YEARS. As in: like, a decade. I grabbed TJ Maxx and cheapie Target mats for all those years because I could not imagine that my mat would make that much of a difference in my practice. Let me just tell you how wrong I was! A good mat will make ALL the difference in your practice. Your comfort, grip, and stability all ride on the quality of your mat. Not to mention…. a good mat will last for YEARS, while a cheap one starts to fall apart within weeks of a regular practice. You’ll want to make sure your mat is long enough for your height as well.
My favorite mat and the one I recommend to anyone serious about their yoga practice, is the Manduka pro. It stays put perfectly, has just the right amount of give, and the grip is PERFECTION.
I also own the Pro Lite (just got it in the PRETTIEST lavender color) and it’s just as great. Check it out here.
Other mats that are great quality and come highly recommended by the yoga community are: Lifeforme, the Alo Warrior Mat, and Jade yoga mats.
If you’re looking for a fun mat… I have this beautiful round Manduka mat that I LOVE too!
Bolsters
Bolsters provide comfort in meditation poses, savasana, and various restorative poses. They are lovely to have around for your home practice too. (just laying with the bolster under your spine in the morning or before bed is a great heart opener and feels lovely if you’ve been hunched over a computer or holding babies all day). Bolsters come in various styles, firmness, and shapes. The most useful shape for our classes at Jax is the classic rectangular shape. I prefer a firmer bolster, so the Hugger Mugger is my absolute favorite, but many of our students prefer the Manduka. Both are great!
Blocks
The purpose of blocks is to bring the floor closer to your body, or extend the length of your arms or legs. They are valuable no matter your level of yoga difficulty (they’re not just for beginners!). Cork blocks are lovely, last forever, and are quite sturdy. These Manduka blocks are my absolute favorite, but any will do.
Straps
Straps aren’t quite as big of a decision as the other props I’ve mentioned. There are lots of aesthetically pleasing ones, and they come in various lengths, depending on your preference. We have basic but well made straps available for sale at the studio for $12. Some other favorites are: These Manduka straps which are are super high quality, and these hand woven straps on Etsy that are simply gorgeous! (and I actually prefer this style of buckle for barre class).
Blankets
Yoga blankets come in handy often. They can be folded under your sit bones or knees to provide extra padding, draped over your shoulders during meditation, and draped over your body for savasana. They can also be folded and used like a bolster. We have beautiful blankets for sale at Jax for $15.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. Feel free to reach out to us at jaxyogasquad@gmail.com with any questions!
Namaste,
Wendy