by Susan Z. Miller

Created on: November 09, 2009   Last Updated: December 23, 2009

The word yoga is derived from a Sanskrit term that means "union" or "yoke." In contemporary terms, yoga is known as a practice that develops harmony of both the body and mind. So what does one need in order to achieve this harmony? Essentially, just willingness. Yoga can be practiced without expensive equipment or a bulky machine that will take up half the guest room and never be used. For those who wish to enhance their yoga practice and experience, there are a number of yoga products that are available and very useful.

(1) Yoga Mat
If there is just one yoga product you invest in, make it a mat. Yoga mats are specifically designed to have a no-slip surface, making it safer and easier to hold balance and lunge poses. Yoga mats can provide a variety of positive attributes when you are attending a yoga class in a public place. They provide padding on hard floors, insulation on cold, uncarpeted floors, and a sanitary surface on which you can feel comfortable and clean in a head stand or prone position.

Yoga mats come in varying levels of thickness and all kinds of colors and patterns, so you can find one that suits your personal preferences. Different types that you may find include lightweight travel mats, those made from environmentally friendly materials, and those that are extra long or extra wide. The most important thing to make sure of when selecting one is simply that it is long enough for you to lie on in a relaxed, flat-on-your-back position.

(2) Yoga Block
A yoga block may look like something that you dug out of your child's toy box. But it is a tool that can provide a number of benefits during your practice. If flexibility is not one of your areas of particular strength, a block is a yoga product that may be especially helpful to you.

Let's say, for example, that you are practicing the common trikonasana, or triangle pose. However, when you bend toward the ground, your leading hand does not quite make it. If you bend your knees to be able to reach the ground, you will throw off your alignment and compromise the positive effects of this posture. This is where the block comes to the rescue. It may be placed under your hand so that you can correctly maintain the pose. You can think of the block as a safe extension of your arm; it creates a safe and stable base between you and the floor.

(3) Yoga Strap
Like a block, think of a yoga strap as a helpful extension of your own body. A strap can be particularly helpful for achieving poses where the hand and foot must meet, or when the hands must meet behind the back. For example, gomukhasana, or cow face pose, involves connecting both hands behind the back. A strap may be used in order to allow you to achieve this position safely and effectively if inflexibility in the shoulders prevents your hands from meeting. As you practice this pose with a yoga strap, you will find that your hands will be able to gradually inch closer and closer together.

(4) Yoga Blanket
Yoga blankets come in a variety of materials and colors, and traditional ones may also be called Mexican blankets. A yoga blanket has a variety of practical uses. The most common use is to maintain heat within the body during savasana, or corpse pose. It can also be rolled into a bolster shape in order to place under the knees as a lower back support while lying on your back. Many yoga practitioners also enjoy using a rolled up blanket as support for the hips while sitting in lotus pose. This is a great solution for tight hips. If your knees are prone to injury, you may wish to place the rolled up blanket under your knees during balasana, or child's pose. Like blocks and straps, a yoga blanket can be a terrific yet simple tool to help enhance your yoga practice.

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