As a 500 hr RYT teaching for the past six plus years, my personal recommendation is that the breath is the most important piece of your practice. If you can move and breath you can do yoga, and that’s free.

The mind follows the breath and if you can turn off the mental chatter, you can delve inside and focus on how it really feels (can’t emphasize this enough) as you go through your practice. That’s what matters most, connecting with your mind, body and breath.

Beyond that being barefoot is ideal, because socks make it hard to grip your mat. Skip the fancy yoga socks.

There are various mats are available. I’d skip the cheap dollar store version and avoid the toxic fumes that can linger on the cheaper versions. You get what you pay for and quality matters.

I use 2 Jade yoga mats which are made in Conshohocken, PA. I bought one with a studio discount & won one in an Instagram contest. I’m a fan of buying American and local too. My personal favorite is a Manduka mat because I like the texture and the way it feels under your feet and hands. However Mandukas are pretty expensive.

I have a travel Manuka mat that folds up as nicely as a pocket square, but not quite that compact. It worked well for a yoga retreat that I used and kept in a backpack for travel.

Manduka makes a great mat, very nice foot feel and grip. I hope to have a regular Manduka someday but trying to work as a full time Yogini, you care more about making your car payment over buying expensive yoga gear, or clothes.

The yoga industry machine is a big money maker and most yoga teachers really can’t afford Lululemon or Prana clothes. I buy with discounts, on sale or clearance and shop at Target or Marshall’s instead. Once a season I buy a new yoga outfit with my instructor discount at Athleta. If you can, good for you but it’s not necessary.

Sure those expensive yoga pants make you ass look great! But let’s face yoga is not about that..To quote Eric Paskel, “yoga is not about tightening your ass, but getting your head out of it.”

If you enjoyed my thoughts.. I’m available for freelance articles, consults and private yoga.

Love and Light,
Lorraine Labus -500hr RYT

https://www.instagram.com/mokshayogaandayurveda/