One pro about teaching yoga is that you get discounts to shop at most of the yoga brand (ranging from 25-30% off retail/sales price). So I’ve tried my fair share of leggings, mats, water bottles, etc. Below are my yogi faves.
Yoga Leggings
Lululemon Align Pant II 25″ (used to be known as the Lululemon Align 7/8). These pants are great for shorter yogis (I am 5’3″) and reaches my ankles at the perfect length. Taller yogis can opt for the 28″ They come in a variety of colors. I probably have 3-4 pairs in black and about 6-8 more in a colors of the rainbow. These pants have over 10,000+ reviews and feel like a layer of your skin.
Some others that are similar are the Alo Soft (not sweat wicking) and Athleta’s Elation. I have yet to try Nike’s Infinalon 7/8 but imagine it’s very similar.
Yoga Mat
Alo Warrior Yoga Mat: I have 3 of these mats… 2 in black and 1 in the pink Smoky Quartz. This is the most comfortable mat for all the quarantine exercises you want to do. I discovered the mat from practicing a lot of hot yoga. This one has the best grip (without a towel) and is super easy to clean with a wipe. I keep one at the office, 2 at home (1 for my husband and 1 for me). I highly recommend the black color as it seems the Smoky Quarts material is not as easy to clean.
A close second is either the Lululemon Reversible (Big Mat) or Manduka Pro Yoga Mat (6mm). I own the reversible and frequently use the Manduka one teaching at Salesforce.
Yoga Block(s)
Gaiam Yoga Blocks are lightweight but super sturdy whenever you need an extra assist. I have 6 of these and have used them relentlessly for modifications and support. Better quality than the CorePower Yoga ones.
Water Bottle
BKR Water Bottles are made of glass and have a silicone covering. I find it to be the perfect water bottle and has a cap for ease of transportation. I prefer glass to any steel-insulated water bottle. Partially because it increases in temperature with the room so that you’re not shocking your body from the inside after warming up (even though it might feel good to have cold water in a hot yoga room). And just not a fan of the steel taste…it’s there…I know it.
Often times, I’ve kicked or knocked my water bottle over getting into Savasana and this one makes the least amount of noise vs. loud clanging from the steel water bottles.
Others that are yogi favorites: Swell, Hydroflask, Yeti
Miniso sells a great dupe of the BKR water bottle (not sure if it exists anymore).
Hand Sanitizer
Trader Joe’s Grapefruit and Lemon Hand Sanitizer is great before and after yoga class. During assists especially when assisting multiple students, I meticulously use hand sanitizer in between. I recently bought some but for some reason, this new batch does not smell anything like the one I originally bought before. Not sure if quarantine has changed the availability of some ingredients… It’s still moisturizing with Vitamin E and Aloe even though it’s 74% alcohol.
Runner Up: GermX (not as a strong to strip the skin of all its oils like Purrell)
