Mats, pants, blocks: Essentials needed for your daily yoga sessions

From high-quality mats and props to stylish apparel and eco-friendly water bottles, there are premium props and yoga gear available in the market today to elevate your wellness experience

“I joined my dream company at 19 as an intern, achieved my goal of becoming a Chartered Accountant at 22 and landed a handsome package at the top consulting firm PwC. But after four and a half years, I found myself dealing with a lot of stress, anxiety, monotony and bad eating habits.”- this is the story of Prateek Kedia who started looking for a solution to his problems and stumbled upon the most obvious one: YOGA! He then went for a trial yoga class at a yoga studio which he says “was really challenging” because he had not worked out in the last few years. But after the class, he felt great as body was certainly lighter and mind rejuvenated. So, he went to one of the famous e- commerce portals to buy his first yoga mat “but sadly whatever I encountered was anaesthetic, boring and dull. I had to return three yoga mats because one had no grip, one was too hard and the third one had holes in it. Finally, I went to a nearby store and still had to settle for an average yoga mat. I realized that good quality yoga mats and equipment are not available in India and that is when the idea of WiseLife was born.” Today 26-year-old Kedia is a yoga entrepreneur running a successful business of e-retailing yoga clothes and accessories.

Welcome to the world of yoga gear and yoga wear where things are being thoughtfully designed to promote comfort, stability so that one can fully immerse yourself in your practice. According to KN Srikanth, Director, Home, Kitchen and Outdoors, Amazon India, “Over the past few years, we’ve observed a significant surge in interest towards yoga, with customers adopting this ancient practice as a discipline and popular fitness choice. This preference shift has led to a 30% increase in demand for yoga essentials such as non-slip and eco-friendly yoga mats, blocks, wheels, and other accessories on Amazon.in. Also, high-quality, durable mats that provide excellent cushioning for comfortable sessions are contributing to the growing popularity of brands such as Tego, Boldfit, and Wiselife. As customers in tier-2 and beyond regions continue to focus on their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, metros like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi are also contributing significantly, accounting for 45% of the total demand.”

Data from Amazon Fashion shows that there is a significant demand for comfortable and breathable yoga wear such as leggings, tops, and sports bras. Leading brands include BlissClub, Enamor, Nike, Puma, and Adidas. Premium brands like Nike, Puma, and Adidas are particularly popular, reflecting consumers’ willingness to invest in high-quality, comfortable, and stylish attire.

How to select Yoga Essentials:

There are some yoga essentials while others are recommended, though not mandatory. According to Delhi based yoga expert, Aishwariya Chuni who specializes in Hatha yoga and Ashtanga yoga (Hatha yoga focuses on aligning body and mind through gentle postures and breathing exercises, while Ashtanga yoga incorporates a dynamic sequence to build strength and flexibility), “some of the essential props and accessories for practicing yoga include Yoga Blocks. This helps modify poses, provide support, and improve alignment, especially useful for beginners or those with limited flexibility. Also, all my students buy the Yoga Strap which assists in stretching, enhances flexibility, and secures grip. Other things are yoga blankets which offer additional support, warmth, and padding during relaxation poses or as a bolster. Water bottle is a must-have to stay hydrated and so also a Yoga Mat that gives cushioning and grip for poses. What matters in yoga mats is thickness, non-slip surface, material and durability.

Additional items which are recommended though not necessary include the Meditation Cushion which provides support for prolonged sitting and enhances comfort. The eye pillow enhances relaxation during Savasana (corpse pose) by blocking out light and promoting calmness. The Yoga Bolster aids in restorative poses, providing gentle support and aiding relaxation. Yoga wheels assist in deep stretches, improves flexibility, and provides support. These accessories enhance the yoga experience by improving comfort, alignment, and support, making your practice more effective and enjoyable, says Aishwarya Chuni.

Some of the top trending websites for premium yoga wear include the likes of Yamayoga, Alo yoga, YogueActivewear, Yoga Matters, Proyog, Wiselife.in, Manduka, Gaiam, Everyday Yoga, Lululemon, Athleta etc. This apart from the generic Amazon.in, Myntra, Flipkart and others.

Coming to the clothing, it should be comfortable, stretchy yoga attire that allows for free movement. How should you dress for your first yoga session? Your first yoga session won’t be too intense and you won’t be expected to do anything difficult or beyond your capabilities, so make sure to wear something comfortable and form-fitting. Says a spokesperson from Yogamatters, an e-commerce website for yoga props and products, “A pair of yoga leggings and a tank top is a great combination for breathability and comfort. Alternatively, you could choose to wear a pair of gym shorts or flared yoga pants if you prefer to wear a loose fit. Make sure that the clothing you wear allows you to move freely and has plenty of stretch to cater for your movements.”

How is yoga wear different from other activewear or gym wear? Says Ritika Kulshreshtha, fashion designer and alumnus of Pearl Academy, “Yoga requires flexibility, so yoga wear is made from thin, stretchy, and breathable fabrics with a high percentage of spandex for unrestricted movements. Soft and smooth texture enhances comfort, while special stretchable threads, along with overlock and flatlock seams, prevent chafing and skin irritation. In contrast, gym and activewear for intensive workouts use thicker and less stretchable fabrics for support and durability. These garments also include technical features based on functionality, such as compression zones, breathable panels, and the placement of pockets and zippers.”

Kulshreshtha has supplied yoga unitards to competitive yoga practitioners across India, who participate in major yoga competitions such as Khelo India, National Games, and National Championships. She advises -“Competitive yoga wear or yoga unitards are body-hugging, full-body garments made from nylon-lycra fabric and embellished with flatback crystals, designed to match the theme and music selected by the yogi.”

Today the market is abuzz with sustainable choices for yogawear and the consumers must look for eco-friendly choices available in the form of organic cotton, bamboo fabric, Tencel, hemp, modal etc. Designs are mainly minimalist that emphasize clean lines and simple silhouettes and have nature-inspired colours such as earth tones, muted hues, and natural dyes often with water-based inks or natural dyes for any prints or patterns. As for footwear, most go bare feet. According to Aditi Manchanda, a 36-year-old software professional working in Gurugram, “Alot of yoga practitioners like to remain barefoot during their yoga flows. Shoes can be quite restrictive and uncomfortable, and regular socks can be very slippery. However, if you need extra grip or do not want to attend a yoga class in your bare feet you might wish to use yoga socks. Yoga socks provide extra grip, and many people find them to be an essential yoga clothing item.”

Face Yoga is another important emerging area where people are focused. For Face yoga, one needs to invest in derma rollers and essential oils. According to Vibhuti Arora-Face Yoga master teacher, a face yogi & skin-tech expert, “Face Yoga involves facial movements and stretches aimed at toning facial muscles, improving circulation, and promoting relaxation. When combined with derma rollers and essential oils, face yoga can enhance the effectiveness of skincare routines by improving muscle tone and supporting overall skin health.”

Essential oils can complement derma roller treatments by nourishing the skin and providing additional benefits such as hydration, anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidant protection. Each oil has unique properties that can address specific skin concerns.

Says Dr Blossom Kochhar – Founder and Chairperson of Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies, Pioneer in Aromatherapy and beauty expert, “Many essential oils work as natural deodorants and as a skin tonic. Just make sure whenever you use any essential oil it should never be used directly. Either dilute it or you can try it with skincare products like natural moisturizers. Lavender and Rose essential oils act as skin tonics and help muscles regain a healthy skin condition. The astringent action of these essential oils helps in binding and tightening the skin. To regulate excessive oiliness of the skin Tea Tree Essential Oil and Juniper Berry Essential Oil can help significantly. Jasmine and Sandalwood Essential Oils help maintain the moisture level of the skin.”

PRICE CHART

Invest in the right kind of yoga gear, props and accessories. The table below enlists key brands, indicative pricing and key points to consider while buying these premium yoga products