So much emphasis is put on shopping, and product sales, I feel like its easy to loose sight of the real purpose of starting a Yoga practice. It also can seem so inaccessible if you're not ready or able to invest hundreds of dollars to get started. I am the first one to support the use of props! I LOVE them, they have elevated my practice by so much. However, do we really need to buy specific, sometimes expensive equipment to do Yoga. Absolutely not!

I've been trying to think of what is truly the bare minnimum you need equipment wise, and I want to say a yoga mat. But honestly, I don't even use one all the time. So I guess, maybe just some clothes you can move in!? (if your not an ath-leisure person like me, and you don't have yoga pants spilling out of your closet, even pjs would work!). If you are going without a mat, definitely make sure your practicing on a softish surface, but not one thats going to have you slipping and sliding all over the place. When I'm practicing yoga outside in the grass I almost never use a mat, so maybe start there. Keeping all that in mind, you can find many versions of lower priced workout mats at most big retail stores, and if your ready to make a yoga practice part of your life a mat will be totally worth it.

Now, what if you are not super bendy, and need support from like a set of blocks. Do you need to buy them? NO! I do have several types of blocks that I recommend, but what you really need is just some form of sturdy raised support. There are many things that can fill this roll, and bonus, you probably already own them! An armless dining room type chair, or folding chair can be a great support, even if your not doing a chair specific yoga class. You could also use a step stool, these are always sturdy, and sometimes have different height options. The goal of blocks is to raise the ground to your needed level, and a chair or stool does this! I know, this sounds kind of crazy, I mean how often do you see a yoga teacher using chairs or stools in their practice, but hear me out. Anytime your in a pose, and your hands are meant to be on the ground for support, or you are reaching to the ground with some body part (usually hands, but sometimes other parts) you can bring in a support to raise the ground to your hands. By that I mean put your hands on your stool and pretend your touching the ground! If a "bendy" pose feels out of reach for you, there's probably a place you can put your block, stool, or chair to adapt it to your body! Bottom line, if your instructor cues blocks, bring in that chair. It will work just as well maybe even better for you.

The last area where I see and hear a lot of people say they NEED yoga props, is when they practice any type of restorative yoga or restful yoga. These are the practices where you're in one pose for a really long time, and just breathing and usually stretching. You might think you need a bolster, or meditation cushion, maybe even a specific linen or woven blanket. While I love using all those things, and I have favorite brands I recomend for purchasing them, you can substitute all of these with items you probably already have! Bolsters are generally stiffer and more supportive than regular pillows, but I find if I stack two pillows they can support just the same. I've also found that one pillow, sometimes folded in half can make a great cushion for meditation, or siddhasana (comfortable seat). For supporting your hips or knees your instructor might cue to bring in some blocks, but rolled towels are a great alternative and sometimes comfier. Lastly any blanket you're comfortable with works. You do not need to buy a specific "yoga" blanket.

At the end of the day, whatever props make you comfortable in your yoga practice, are the right props! Yoga specific brands or household items, what you really need to practice is you and your open mind and heart.