The Ultimate Checklist For Starting Yoga

Yoga can be pretty intimidating at first, especially if you have never been to a class before. Many people who attend a yoga class will tell you will they feel healthier, more positive and it comes with a laundry list of other wellness benefits. One of the hardest things to do is to just get started. For those of you who want to try yoga but don’t know how to get going — this checklist is for you.

Equipment

Handmade Tote Bag

First thing is first, make sure you have a mat to take with you, and a suitable bag to help you stay organised when attending a class. Go for a mat that isn’t too squishy for better balance in standing poses. We recently discovered the best mega mendung batik yoga bags from Nakula. Each one of these bags comes with seven handy compartments, the perfect size to fit everything that you need into it. Your yoga mat even fits inside. This style of bag can be used indoors as well as outdoors, as it’s durable, safe and comfortable. The shape is not too bulky, with waterproof material and nylon straps. They say gym bags are not the most stylish of bags, but this one is definitely fashionable. The original Indonesian Batik design “Mega Mendung” is eye-catching yet easy on the eyes, expressing your confidence and desire to balance attention and pragmatism.

Top Half

Vest Top // Hoodie

Special yoga clothing is not needed but it is necessary to have comfortable clothing that stretches. Keep it simple with a plain yoga vest and a trendy hoodie you can easily take off when you’re feeling ready. Do not go for something like a baggy T- shirt, this will distract you and it will hang over your head in certain yoga positions.

Bottom Half

Harem Yoga Pants // Printed Leggings

There are some dos and don’ts when it comes to your bottom half. Comfort and fit are key so you can focus on doing the poses instead of futzing with your outfit. Yoga pants are a popular choice of casual dress. You can choose from a variety of styles, cuts, and patterns all based on where you want to wear them. Deciding exactly which pair to purchase can be a chore if you are unfamiliar with yoga pants. We love these simple and bang-on-trend styles above, they’re perfect to wear during any yoga class.

Keep Hydrated

Citrus Zinger Water Bottle

Always take a water bottle with you to a yoga class. It’s important to stay hydrated. It’s also important to drink water before, during and after your yoga classes to prevent yourself from getting dehydrated. During a typical yoga class, you can lose anywhere from three to five pounds of water weight due to all of the stretching that goes on in yoga. Though you might enjoy losing the weight, this is not good for your body and will almost certainly lead to internal problems if you do not get yourself hydrated.

When it comes to choosing the right yoga class, go with a time that will be relatively free of distractions. It could be when you wake up in the morning once you’ve dropped the children off at school. Or in the evening time once you have checked everything off on your ‘to do’ list. Stick to that time, make it regular but know that when life throws a schedule curve, even a five to ten minute practice at home can change your day for the better.

Danielle Mead