Yoga has many forms. And for someone who’s just a beginner, it can get intimidating. Whether you’re aspiring to get a perfect headstand or simply wanting to get this as part of your health regimen, Yoga is a good exercise physically and mentally. Finding the right type of Yoga is one aspect of the journey.
Another part is finding the tools such as the best yoga strap to help you achieve the right form. There are three types of Yoga: Heated, Hatha and Vinyasa with various intensities and requiring different set of skills. Before you do anything else, make sure that you are physically able to do Yoga poses as these will entail a lot of stretching, unlike your regular cardio workout.
Yoga is the kind of exercise that stretches both the body and the mind. Regular yoga practice makes the body stronger, more flexible, decreases stress and lifts up your mood.
Yoga can be a form of aerobic exercise – minus the jog and walk. Since this exercise increases the heart rate and gets you moving and sweating profusely for long periods of time, Yoga can be placed under this category.
For many who want to test the waters, going for an open class is a good start. Open classes are intended for a mixed group of Yogis from beginners to advance. Most Vinyasa, also called as ‘flow’ Yoga, are open classes where teachers let you choose the kind of version you are most comfortable with.
It is best to pick a spot between the middle or back of the class so you can follow more advanced Yogis how to properly do a pose. Just like any workout, there is no single strike to get it right.
If you happen to see Yogis who have perfected the forms, chances are they have been at it for a very long time. It would be best to find the kind of Yoga that you’d be comfortable doing for a long time for you to reap the benefits of practicing it in a studio or in the comforts of your home.
You can check out this post for why you should choose Ashtanga Yoga.
Yoga straps are born out of necessity with a purpose of ‘extending’ your arms to fill in the lack of flexibility. There will be some poses that might be a bit hard for some students to do normally. So, a Yoga strap will be able to assist students to get the right poses. A common pose called Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend) pose may require an extended skill set.
With the Yoga strap, students can emulate the pose properly until such time that they will be able to do it without the instrument. Aside from flexibility, Yoga straps give support especially for poses that require some stretching and strength to give balance.
Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose) is an advanced pose that most beginners will have difficulty performing because it will require flexibility to get your arm reach to reach your elevated leg. With a Yoga strap, you can get it to work as your ‘extended’ arm by wrapping it in your leg while holding the ends with both arms and gently raising it up towards your head – and still keep balance.
Another reason is that a Yoga strap keeps you safe when you’re balancing poses. Also called as belts, these instruments are usually recommended for students who have not yet managed to get the right poses and balances.
Since some of these poses are extremely difficult to do, a Yoga strap acts as a safety gear to keep you from overstretched limbs, tearing muscles and even falling. Don’t be surprised if there are straps attached to the walls or ceiling when you’re doing challenging asanas like Vrischikasana.
For Yogis, a Yoga mat is important to keep them from slipping while doing postures. A Yoga strap can also act as a belt. It’s a cost-efficient way of keeping your mat tidied up once a session is finished.
While buying a sturdy bag may do well to keep dust and damage off your mat, a strap can do just as well for the meantime. Some Yogis prefer to keep it simple and have the mat rolled up and opened just as quickly.
When browsing online, you may find that these straps come in different forms, material, and length. So how do you choose the best yoga strap that fits your preference and budget?
Whether you’re an experienced Yogi or a beginner, a Yoga strap is useful for all levels. If you need some assistance with your poses or simply need some extra length for flexibility, then this strap can help you find that balance to achieve the poses.
Yoga straps, depending on quality and use, don’t need frequent replacements. A six-foot Yoga strap is the universal length of choice. However, for taller people, an 8 to 10-foot strap will give enough length to keep in place an outstretched leg without the straining that comes with shorter Yoga straps.
There are three kinds of closure for Yoga straps: buckles, D-ring and those without closures. Choose those that you are comfortable using. It might be an added benefit if you can have multi-purpose use of it such as a sling for your Yoga mat.
For D-ring types of straps, they give you faster and easier wrap around your foot, making it more secure. For some people, buckles offer less risk of slipping compared to other straps. For no closure straps, it gives the user more freedom to maneuver poses.
There are two primary benefits of using a Yoga strap.
There are also instances where you need to use this strap as a binder (some smaller to wrap around the feet and hands). If your pose requires you to lift your foot, you can bind the strap first in your leg and slowly push it upwards while keeping your balance. As for the full binds, you can use the strap to give extra length.
Can be used in various PT related exercises (particularly by older people) to promote stretching for individuals suffering from back problems.
Loops found every few inches provide grips making it accessible; there will be no need to physically create a loop for binding.
Unlike binding the straps in your hands and feet, it doesn’t cut off circulation making it easier to transition to other poses/stretch exercise.
Suitable for individuals with weak upper body movement/s such as Arthritis.
Some might find the spaces between the loops a bit small and uncomfortable when used for a very long time.
Material may come a little abrasive and loops too small.
Comes in two sizes: 96 inches (8 ft) and 120 inches (10 ft) with around 1.5-inch width. Prices vary with length.
Non-slip strap made of thick cotton material. Straps are also machine washable.
Can be used for physical therapy exercises using the 10 ft strap.
Smooth eye rings for a fixed loop and helps place your foot while performing stretches.
Cotton material softens with use and washing.
Cannot be used for a mat string; there’s only one buckle at the end of the strap purely intended for stretching purposes.
Fabric may come as tough with initial uses.
For posture poses, the edges of the strap rubbing on the naked skin may be a little irritating.
Connector rings are made of metal so it may cause a distraction when it hits a wooden floor when in the studio. In this case, it may be best to switch to a plastic type.
Straps come in 3 sizes: 6ft., 8 ft. and 10 ft. Strap width is 1 ¾ inches.
Can be hand-washed using cold water and mild detergent. You can use a soft brush to remove grime from the strap without affecting its quality.
This product comes with a D-ring to loop in your arms, hips, shoulders, and legs for added length.
Soft straps for added comfort when in contact with your skin.
Good straps to use for beginner Yogis.
It doesn’t stretch as much. However, the material bends easily that will still enable you to perform poses.
You need to physically connect the connector ring to create a loop.
D-rings are made out of metal so it can be a little distracting when it hits the wooden floor or could hurt you (or others) when accidentally flung.
May not be suitable for elderlies or those suffering from upper body loss as there are no loops for quick access.
Straps may have the kind of thickness that Yogis are used to using.
It may not hold for long-term studio use as it doesn’t have the right quality fit for constant stretching.
Using this strap may require some skill since the material may not give the usual strength that a traditional cotton strap has.
Straps have 12 embedded loops for easy access for a variety of poses and stretches.
Product comes with a user guide in using it in stretching and Yoga poses.
The strap is soft and stretchy for easy usage especially for new Yogis or those with minimized upper body control.
Product is made of a heavyweight woven material where one side is elastic and the other side has extra padding.
The strap comes in one size at 7.9 inches with a width of 1 ¼ inches.
Loops might be a little small for feet sizes 13” and up.
Stitched loops may become undone with some use. It may not hold larger weights.
The strap may not roll as easily compared to other elastic types. You may need a small storage bag for this product to keep it in place.
The strap comes with multiple loops for easy access needed for variety and deepening of stretches.
Straps may be used as a sling to carry Yoga mats but won’t really fit for a thicker type.
It is made out of cotton thus it’s more comfortable to use than nylon-based strap; straps don’t scratch on the skin when it rubs on your bare shoulder or leg.
The straps are thick enough to sustain intermediate-term use (around 2 to 3 years).
It has a padded part for comfortable foot stretches.
May be suitable as a beginner strap for those who are new to doing Yoga routines.
Product only comes in one size at 7 feet with 0.5 inches width.
Straps are not stretchable. However, the length covers for its lack of stretch-ability.
Width is shorter than your typical Yoga strap.
Overall, the best yoga strap may depend on your preference, skill-level, and comfort of use. The OPTP Yoga Strap may come as a good one-time purchase for keeps especially for those who wanted to practice Yoga as part of their routine. Though you may need to stretch your budget a bit, this instrument does the job for various kinds of poses or stretching without sacrificing comfort. This strap also comes with a 10 feet length suitable for taller people. It also has multiple loops for easier access whether you’re new or advanced Yogi looking to practice on harder postures. It does have its own setbacks such as loopholes being too small for bigger foot sizes but overall it’s made of quality materials that may not entail you to keep purchasing a new one for a long time.