One of the most common questions I’m asked from both beginner and advancing students is – what do I bring to class?

Today, I’m going to address a second part of this question as well – What do I bring to a workshop or training weekend?

Most studios will rent you a mat for $2. These mats are often Manuka or, more recently, B Mat brand. Sometimes, a studio will offer their own variation of mat with studio logo. If you are just starting out, I recommend renting a mat, at least until you decide if this is an endeavour you would like to invest in.

A note on mat types: I personally am a very sweaty person whether or not the practice is in a heated room. Strong vinyasa and sometimes even the occasional yin pose will make my palms sweat. Usually studio brand mats are very slippery. If you forget to bring a towel (which I will touch on later) be sure to grab a strap. You can use the strap at the top of the mat, unbelting it and laying it directly under the palms. The centre of the palm should touch the strap, and this should create some traction against the mat. Manuka is a high quality, life long mat. Many times when manduka mats are manufactured they are sealed with a sort of plastic top coat. Newer manduka mats, I find, can be very slippery. There are ways to decrease that if you decide to purchase a manduka but more on that later. The B Mat is hands down THE BEST mat in terms of traction or grip. If you are a sweaty person and don’t prefer the use of a yoga towel, go B mat every time. Bonus points: they are canadian!

A yoga towel or beach towel is sometimes totally key. Yoga towels often come in two sizes, a hand size and a full size, and most brands have fast absorption and are quick drying. In some cases, particularly with a freshly washed towel, there can be some glide. This is easily rectified by spritzing a little bit of water from your water bottle over the space you place your hands. The dampness helps create traction. Essentially, the yoga towel is there to help mop up sweat in sticky situations but can also be very, very helpful in increasing mat grip. Plus, nothing feels better than wiping the sweat off your face after your endurance has been tested.

If you’re planning on sweating, and this is the natural result of movement, especially strong movement, bring a water bottle! Whether you are practicing in a hot room or not, water helps flush the bodies system, as well as replenish the fluids lost. Have a water bottle with me at all times is absolutely essential in the summer months when Toronto temperatures can sky rocket to 30+. The idea here is that you want to hydrate before, after and during your practice. The amount of water consuming depends on the weather, the amount of energy used as well as the general size and composition of a person.

I enjoy my S’well water bottle and have more than one. Although the product in an investment it keeps my water cool for up to 12 hours and my tea hot for almost six. Furthermore, I feel good about my choice to not consume bottled water. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental footprint. So, bring a water bottle to glass …. and everywhere else you go. Increased hydration is known to improve digestion, the appearance of your skin, as well as flushes out free radicals and toxins. These days there are no lack of options when it comes to picking out a reusable water bottle – whether your looking for fashion or function this is a yogi (life?) must have.

I often suggest my beginner students bring a light sweater for beginning and end of class.  Many studios have blankets, but on the off chance there are not, it’s better to have one than be cold. Nothing is worse than clenching, and shivering during savasana.

The One Thing You Don’t Need: your cell phone. Trust me you don’t need it. Anything that’s for you will be waiting for you when your done your practice. In fact, one of my favourite parts of taking class is the break from my phone. Incredibly, we are always attached to our pocket computers. In many ways they have taken us away from our bodies and act as a catalyst for anxiety. Your yoga practice is the perfect time to discipline yourself away from cell phone addiction.

You really don’t need much for class except yourself and something to hydrate yourself with. If you forget your water bottle, worry not! Just remember to fill up after class. Most studios offer water and tea stations as well as mason jar rentals for in class use.

Yoga class is the perfect play to practice non-attachment to your “essential items” and should help reestablish the idea that all you need you already have.

Ok, then what do I bring to a workshop or weekend intensive? 

Lets break this one down in list form.

1. mat and yoga towel (brands I trust: B Mat and Manduka)
2. water bottle (brands I trust: S’Well, Lululemon, Canadian Tire, anything that is free of BPA)
3. notebook and one pen for jotting down QUICK notes. The more you engage in class the more you will remember via embodied experience. However, it can be handy for subtle cues or ideas you want to expand on in the future.
4. healing crystals – yes, I do practice with healing crystals given to me as gifts. I take one. Practice non-attachment and rotate through your collection.
5. change of clothes – its not healthy to sit in your sweat. Bring some fresh gear in a sweat bag. Bonus: you’ll have something for your sweaty stuff and you won’t stink up your purse.
6. mat bag – better yet, leave your purse at home and get a good mat bag with a pocket (brands I trust: Half Past Zen, Lululemon)
7. eye pillow – I don’t mind sharing bolsters or blocks but I prefer to have my own eye pillow. In fact, I made my own by cutting up a an old tee shirt infusing it with reiki, fennel, hemp seeds, and lavender; and then sewing it with hemp cord.
8. A snack – low blood sugar ain’t no joke. (Brands I trust: GimMe seaweed snacks, One Of a Kind Bars, Lar Bars, Cliff Bars, A banana or piece of fruit)

Have questions? Feel free to email me –  alexatomasz@gmail.com OR hit me up on my CONTACT page and ASK.