With impressive photos of splits and complicated stretches dominating social media, it’s unsurprising that there has been an uptick in people practising yoga. Since gyms remained closed over the last few months, picking up a form of movement that can be done easily at home has been a must—especially one with teachers readily available. But something that you may be overlooking in your yoga journey are the tools of the trade.
While you may think that the inclusion of props such as mats, blocks and straps are really just for a nice picture on Instagram, their usefulness in a routine is understated. With 11.8k followers on Instagram, Miryam Acosta is a yogi who’s known for her gravity-defying stances. As the founder of Yoga Base Flow in Singapore, she specialises in multiple types of yoga, including vinyasa and wheel. She says, “As a yoga teacher and practitioner, I really encourage the use of props to receive the benefits of a correct asana’s form.”
“To practise yoga is to take responsibility for the effects of our actions and choices—I like that investing in an eco-friendly brand supports in protecting scarce natural resources”
Acosta adds that practising with props not only makes yoga more accessible for beginners, but also renders it safer for those experiencing injury or other physical limitations. Props also allow for deeper and more advanced poses to become achievable With so many mats and yoga accessories available on the market today, it can be intimidating trying to determine which to buy. You may have a million questions: if you do a basic routine, will you need a strap? Or if you prefer hot yoga, what kind of towel will give you the best grip?
To steer you in the right direction, we ask four of Singapore’s best yoga instructors—Jasmine Chong from Yoga Lab; Jerome Lahore and Leigh Khoo from HOM—to share the yoga accessories and mats they most love to use. With their hand-picked recommendations ready to purchase, you’ll no longer need to fret no about finding the perfect accompaniments for your yoga routine.
The best mats
Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm
Jasmine says: The Lulu mat has the best grip out of all mats I have used. It is also sweat absorbent and comes in so many colours. It is easy to roll up and perfect as a studio mat topper.
Decathlon Comfort Yoga Mat 8mm
Jasmine says: In my opinion, this Decathlon mat has the best value for money. Its thickness means it is nice and cushy (no more painful knees) and yet is so, so lightweight. It comes with a strap and provides good grip for yoga practice.
Hejhej Closed-Loop Yoga Mat
Leigh says: For something different and impactful, I like Hejhej, a 100 percent closed loop eco-friendly brand from Germany. To practise yoga is to take responsibility for the effects of our actions and choices—I like that investing in a brand like that supports in protecting scarce natural resources.
Manduka PRO
Miryam says: These Pro models are very durable and heavy, which is why I recommend this for keeping at home. It also comes in many different colours.
Liforme Travel Yoga Mat
Jerome says: For yogis who practise a dynamic form like ashtanga or vinyasa and sweat a lot during practice, these yoga mats have the best grip you can find on the market. They are light and easy to carry for outdoor practice. Most importantly, these yoga mats are eco-friendly, non toxic and PVC-free. I have tried many brands on the market and always come back to this one.
The best accessories
Manduka Yogitoes Skidless Yoga Mat Towel
Jerome says: Eco-friendly and made with Skidless® Technology, these yoga mat towels have silicone nubs to grip your mat and are hygienic, super soft and really absorbent. Very useful for hot yoga or power yoga classes.
Decathlon Non-Slip Yoga Towel
Miryam says: For hot yoga, if you are looking for a good and inexpensive yoga towel to use on top of your mat, I will recommend this as it is light, good quality and can be easily cleaned in the washing machine.
Cork Yoga Brick
Miryam says: I always recommend bricks made from cork because they are firm and have a great texture.
The Warrior Cork Block Set
Jerome says: These two blocks will become your best friends. They are super grippy, made out of biodegradable natural cork from Portugal and will give you the stability you are looking for.
Yoga Design Lab Straps
Miryam says: When you choose a yoga strap, always make sure that it is long enough for your height and also has a good buckle system.