New to Practicing Yoga? Here’s Everything You Need to Get Started

The only prop experts say you absolutely need to practice yoga is a yoga mat. A good one will help keep you from slipping while you’re in balancing postures and protect your joints when your body’s on the floor.

I’m a huge fan of this Gaiam mat. It’s not too thick or too thin, and it holds up well to my curious cats, who like to claw at it. It truly is non-slip and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. There are certainly fancier mats out there, but this one performs comparably well with many of them (and I’ve tested several).

If you have sensitive knees or old joint injuries, you might prefer using a mat with more cushioning. Retrospec’s got the perfect mat for that.

This mat has all the same benefits as the one above, but at 1 inch (in) it’s almost five times as thick. So you’ll be more protected from those uncomfortable joint twinges we’ve all felt (if we’re over 30).

“As someone with knee issues, I really appreciate how thick it is,” says editor Ashley Ziegler. Still, it isn’t “quite as grippy” as other yoga mats she’s tried.

This mat from JadeYoga is different: It’s made from non-toxic, natural rubber from rubber trees. The rubber is a renewable resource, so you’ll feel great about this purchase. Plus, the company says it plants a tree for every yoga mat sold. So even though it’s a pricier pick, you’ll be directly contributing to a greener planet.

We love that the mat comes in various colors and two lengths. Our tester JT thought the mat had a great grip and “loved the cushioning and support. My knees were so comfortable and not in pain when all of the weight was on my knees.”

A yoga strap is a helpful tool for static stretching poses, but it can also help keep you stable in a position that may be more challenging for you.

“A yoga strap is highly underrated,” says Amy Landry, a senior yoga teacher based in Newcastle and Melbourne, Australia. “It is fantastic for using around the feet in seated forward folds, but it can also be bound up and looped around the arms or thighs in various postures to help contain the position and bring great stability.”

I love this strap from Lululemon because it's stretchy — most traditional yoga straps are made of non-stretch material — and because it has a few different loops you can hook into. These loops can help you increase your range of motion over time.

A pair of yoga blocks is ideal for beginner yogis, because the blocks might make postures a bit easier to get into an stay in longer. Take the forward fold, for example: It’s a common pose where you simply bend at the waist and reach for the floor. But you could put a block under your hands to help you fold more comfortably if you’re not quite able to reach the ground.

I like this sustainably made pair of cork blocks by Trideer. They’re more substantial than foam blocks, and their uneven texture helps you hold onto them.

Okay, so weights are absolutely not a necessity for your yoga practice. But I really like using them in mine to make some poses a bit more challenging.

These 1-lb weight bands are a perfect starter set. They come in several cute colors, so you’ll be sure to find a pair that appeals. I love that they’re adjustable and not so wide that they feel uncomfortable on your wrists or ankles.

The “best” workout leggings are subjective. People have very different body types and needs, so I don’t believe there can be one universal best.

I’m partial to this pair from Quince. They’re soft, smooth, and come in 15 gorgeous colors. They have light compression that never feels too constrictive; you don’t want heavy compression for yoga. And they’re made from moisture-wicking fabric, perfect for when you break a sweat on or off the mat.

They come in 21-, 25-, and 28-in lengths — the 25-in hits right at my ankle, and I’m 5'4" — in sizes XS to XL. I do wish they were more size-inclusive, but hopefully Quince plans on expanding the range.

I’ve never found a more-flattering fitting legging, and I’ve tried my fair share. The fact that they’re under $40 is just icing on the cake.

If you prefer to wear looser pants, I’m a huge fan of Vuori’s Performance Jogger. It’s the jogger that made the brand famous, and for good reason: It’s one of the most comfortable pair of pants I’ve worn, and it’s super-flattering to boot. The jogger comes in five core colors (which lean neutral) and two lengths in sizes XXS to XXL. It’s meant to look a bit cropped, which suits my petite frame well. 

I love that the jogger is made with 89-percent recycled polyester. The wide waistband never pinches, and there’s a drawstring to adjust the fit. Also, it has nice, deep pockets.

The only downside? The seams do pill a bit after several washes, but you can mitigate that by turning the pants inside out before throwing them in the washing machine. (I’m just lazy.) 

You don’t have to practice yoga in socks, but many people prefer it, especially if they have consistently cold feet or live in a colder climate.

Since regular socks will have you sliding all over the place, I recommend these adorable grip socks. They come in a variety of colors and patterns that should add some pizazz to your practice. Sizing is available in S, M, and L but only accommodates up to a women’s size 11, so I do hope the company expands that soon. There is some slight compression at the arch, which may help a bit with balance.

Foam rollers are great for massaging your muscles. We love this one especially for its wavy ridges, which help enhance its massage capabilities. You can lie your body across it and move up and down for a full-body release, or work on targeted areas like your back or hips. I love just arching over it for a heart-opening stretch.

“Depending on how tight my muscles are, it can hurt. But I instantly feel a sense of ease and relief after,” says writer Julia Childs Heyl.

The Theragun Mini from Therabody may look little, but it packs a punch. It has three massage speeds and comes with an app if you want a guided massage session. It’s also super-lightweight, making it ideal for traveling.

A word of caution: Be careful to not overdo it in one area, even if it feels good at the time. I’ve done that, and it led to more soreness and skin irritation, neither of which was fun.

I have a few of these balls. I love to lie on them during shavasana (corpse pose) and let my fascia just relax over them. It can hurt a bit if the area is especially tight, but eventually it feels amazing; it can be the difference between me waking up with knots and, well, not. 

You don’t have to be in a hot yoga class to appreciate a good yoga towel. Aside from mopping up sweat or wiping off your mat, it can easily be rolled up and used as a bolster if you want more support in a particular posture.

This towel from Shandali is great because it’s made of microfiber, which is highly absorbent. It also has no-slip silicone dots on one side that can help it stay rolled up or flat on your mat, depending on what you need.

I love this stainless steel water bottle from CamelBak for its durability and how it encourages me to drink more water. I don’t know what it is about the bite valve, but it makes sipping water easier and more fun (at least for me). I also enjoy that I can grab the bottle by the handle and clean its parts quickly. Finally, it’s mostly metal, meaning you’re reducing your exposure to microplastics.

My only complaint is that the bite valve can get moldy if you forget to clean it for too long.

There’s so much to learn about how yoga can benefit your body and mind. If you’re like me and you enjoy thumbing through an actual book with pictures rather than asking the Internet to answer random questions, I encourage you to check this one out.

Illustrations demonstrate how your muscles, joints, and tendons change and adjust to different poses. And the pages offer specific asanas that can help address ongoing issues such as lower back pain and anxiety.