Читать книгу Restorative Yoga Therapy. The Yapana Way to Self-Care and Well-Being онлайн

20 страница из 33

Yoga Mat

Yoga mat manufacturers produce mats in various thicknesses. For ample support, whether the mat requires folding or rolling, it should measure no more than 3/16 inch deep, and I prefer a nonskid mat for sufficient stickiness. This guarantees the holding in place of other yoga props that may be used in combination with the mat. Check out local yoga studios that may be replacing old mats. You might be able to purchase used mats for a buck or two. Just clean the you-know-what out of them, and use them for props. Consider reaching out to your yoga buddies to see if they have an extra mat they no longer use because they don’t like it. The plethora of mats I’ve collected over the years includes expensive mats people have purchased but didn’t like for one reason or another. If I can’t use the entire mat as a prop, I cut it up into various-sized square sheets and use them as pads for bony body parts and lifts for feet. Get creative!

HOW TO USE:

Blocks

I prefer cork blocks because of their unique combination of stability, weight, and ability to slide against the floor when necessary. Some practitioners prefer foam blocks, which are lightweight and easy to carry and provide more cushioning. I like foam blocks for cushioning, but they are not stable. Therefore, I don’t recommend them for supporting standing poses or some back bends. Yoga blocks come in several sizes. I like the standard size, which is 4 x 6 x 9 inches. Having a few different sizes, however, is convenient. Sometimes a student needs a 4 x 6 x 9-inch block and another block half that thick. Blocks can be placed in three different ways, resulting in three possible heights: they can be laid flat (lowest height), placed on edge (middle height), or stood on end (tallest height). If you don’t have a block, consider using a book, preferably one you’ve already read so you don’t get distracted.