How to equip yourself for a yoga class - find your perfect yoga gear??

That’s it, you’re decided. You're taking the plunge and coming to discover the practice of Yoga with Mat&More Mo'orea?

Know above all that if you're travelling light, the team can provide you with all the necessary equipment for a yoga session, so no need to break the bank!

If you like the discipline and want to invest into your own gear, to practice at home for example, here are some tips!

The mat

Thickness

The first choice you’ll have to make is thickness of your mat! From 3mm to 1.5cm, the choice is wide!

You will have to ask yourself an essential question: which kind of practice will you enjoy most of the time? Dynamic yoga, or slow flow? Yin? Pilates? etc...

In general, the longer you stay in postures, the more you can choose a thick mat to have comfort (for your little knees in Anjaneyasana for example!) and vice versa.

1 to 1,5cm

These very thick mats are ideal for the practice of MatWork Pilates and Yin practices, during which you spend a lot of time on the floor, on your back, knees, etc... Be careful, they are sometimes stretchable and deform, lengthen, as the session goes on!

6 to 8mm

These relatively thick and comfortable mats are perfect for Hatha yoga or slow flow practice to combine comfort and stability. Be careful, depending on the materials, they can be heavy and not very suitable for a "nomadic" practice.

3 to 5mm

These thin mats are practical to take everywhere but sometimes lack comfort. To be preferred for dynamic practices for which you need stability 😉

Note that there are even travel mats from 1 to 1.5 mm: easy to slip into a suitcase and ideal to position on top of a mat you’re lent!

Second decisive choice: the material!

Foam, TPE, rubber, cork, wool, etc... The choice is yours! Taking into account your environment!

If you live in the tropics, like in Mo'orea, we advise against cork and rubber that eventually crumble... and wool difficult to maintain dry with humidity! 😅

Unfortunately, synthetic materials are the best at our latitudes and privilege the "closed structures" to avoid sweat and dust to inlay in the material.

Also be careful with multi-layered carpets that can eventually break apart and come off!

Blocs

Foam, cork, wood; each material will give you more or less support and comfort.

The choice of shape is also essential: there are blocks more or less thick, more or less wide. If you want to equip yourself with several formats, try to have at least two identical ones so that you can be balanced. when you need two blocks in the same position!

Straps

The straps are usually made of cotton.

Choose one large enough for the support areas to be more comfortable. You can choose its length according to your size: the standard straps measure 2.5m.

Extras

Comfort

One or more cushions: to give comfort to your little knees, to support you in certain poses on the floor, etc... The cushions in the living room will do just fine! Remember to put on an easily washable cover, or surround it with a pareu!

The bolster is a "big cushion" that provides support in sitting positions or on the floor, especially in Yin & restorative practices. It is also ideal for a prenatal session to help the future mother to position herself and relax!

The eye pillow is a little extra during relaxation: it filters light and creates a slight pressure on your eyes and face to help you relax. It can be scented to stimulate all your senses! Again, the "homemade" version with a pareu or folded t-shirt can be enough to accompany you towards a deep relaxation 🙏

All of these equipment is available for your practice at the Cook's Bay Studio 😉

Performance

If you sweat a lot and/or your mat tends to slip, you can equip yourself with a towel. Microfiber materials are ideal for yoga practice: lightweight, space-saving, they do not add thickness to the mat! There are some "special yoga" with a non-slip system on the stack side, but be careful with the silicone pattern: waves, peaks or an even layer can change your feelings of support, for good or as a "bad" one.

Clothes

"Come as you are !"

No need to invest in overpriced leggings and a latest generation bra: choose an outfit that you feel comfortable in! Loan of the body is better for the teacher to "check" your alignement, but it’s not a requirement. 😉

The important thing is that you can move freely. Favors a flexible material, a bit stretch and as natural as possible: cotton or a material that absorbs sweat is a plus (you might pour a few drops during a Vinyasa session!)

Water

Do not forget water bottle to have a seep at the end of your practice ; unless you prefere a fresh coconut water or homemade juice at the hotel we'll meet 😉

Conclusion

Today’s capitalist society love to create many special yogi accessories that make each other more attractive! If you want (and can) please yourself, why not... But let’s keep in mind that yoga is a practice that promotes simplicity and should remain accessible, so let’s stay focused on the essentials: a comfortable outfit, a little water, and the desire to do good should be enough for you to start your practice. 🙏