Gear Guide

Props

Props are available to students to use at no charge. Students can also order props through the studio for their at home practice, (prices provided below.)

Mat:

Source Yoga has mats for students to use at no charge. But if you’re going to class with any regularity, you’ll want a mat of your own, both for hygienic reasons and for practicing at home between classes. Yoga mats are sticky, offer good cushioning, and come in a variety of colours.

Block:

Source Yoga offers the use of two different kinds of blocks. One is a thin, chip foam block that is placed beneath the sitting bones to elevate the pelvis when doing seated poses to prevent slouching while supporting the elongation of the spine. The other is a thick rectangular shaped block that lets you “raise the floor” to meet your hand in a pose like Half moon, or can be a placed beneath your sacrum in Bridge to balance the pelvis.

Strap:

A strap is a good aid for reaching things you can’t yet, like your foot in Reclining Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose. Basic Alignment classes will teach you how to use the Yoga strap effectively to enhance your flexibility as well as to stabilize joints to hold poses longer. They also can be used to hold your limbs in place and are used extensively in restorative poses practiced in our Rest and Renew Classes.

Blanket:

A blanket provides cushioning under knees and hips and can be folded in all kinds of ways to prop your shoulders in Shoulderstand, your wayward hip in Pigeon pose, and bottom(to get a better forward tilt) in seated forward bends. It can also keep you warm during your final rest in Savasana. The Studio provides either fleece or wool blankets for your comfort and ease.

Bolster:

A bolster is used to support you in a variety of reclining poses like Reclining Hero Pose or placed behind the knees in Savasana. It is used extensively in the restorative poses done in our Rest and Renew Classes and provides great comfort and release. They are ideal for someone who has chronic pain or experiences fatigue. They get you off your feet and help you relax and replenish your energy.

Clothing

Women’s Bottoms:

There is a reason baggy sweatpants aren’t ideal for yoga class, especially for beginners. The teacher needs to be able to see your body in order to observe your alignment. For a sleek look combined with durability, try Prana Vida Yoga Apparel’s leggings or capris. When it comes to yoga apparel, a pair of basic yoga pants is a good place to splurge ’ you’ll get your money’s worth from repeated wearings.

Women’s Tops:

You’ll want a comfortable and supportive top that provides coverage where you need it throughout a full range of motion, but also one that’s not too baggy, so that the teacher can see the lines of your body. A good rule of thumb is if when you lift from a forward bend to a standing position you need to adjust your shirt and pull it down, the shirt is too baggy. You should be able to transition from pose to pose without feeling conspicuous from poorly fitting clothes. If you are long in the torso, Lululemon Athletica (lululemon.com) and Hard Tail Forever (hardtailforever.com) make tops that fit well. If you’re looking for organic cotton, check out Blue Canoe (bluecanoe.com), or Inner Waves Organics (innerwaves.org). For tops that provide extra support try Lululemon or Athleta (athleta.gap.com)

Men’s Bottoms:

Whether you choose pants or shorts, look for lightweight fabric and a style that fits comfortably. You’ll want to choose shorts that are long enough that they don’t ride up. Prana (prana.com) and Lululem Athletica (lululemon.com) make a variety of shorts and pants in styles and fabrics suitable for Yoga class. For a more organic cotton look and feel try Natural High (naturalhigh.com) and their bamboo line.

Men’s Tops:

Choose a shirt that’s relatively form fitting and allows for a full range of movement. If you tend to sweat or are doing a Vinyasa flow class you’ll want a fabric that can wick moisture away from your body. Try tops from Lululemon Athletica (lululemon.com)

Study Guides

Build a media library to supplement your education – and stay inspired as you practice at home.

Audio CD’s by Dillon (Audio link $10, CD $15):

• Morning Basic Alignment  60 minutes
• Evening Basic Alignment 60 minutes
• Basic Alignment 90 minutes
• Standing Poses Vinyasa 72 minutes
• Backbending Vinyasa 72 minutes
• Hand Balances Vinyasa 72 minutes
• Yin – Opening and Breathing  90 minutes
• Yin – Hips 90 minutes
• Yin – Back  90 minutes
• Yin – Shoulders – 72 minutes
• Yin – Spine – 72 minutes
• Shridaiva  72 minutes
• Full Yogic Breath 13 minutes

  Ujjaii Breath Part 1  10 minutes

  Ujjaii Breath Part 2  20 minutes

  Kapalabati Breath 12 minutes
  Please email Kathryn for your link or CD.

Books:

• Yoga: Mastering the Basics by Sandra Anderson and Rolf Sovik, Psy.D. A beautiful book that introduces asana, as well as many other yogic concepts.
• The Language of Yoga: Complete A to Y Guide to Asana Names, Sanskrit Terms, and Chants by Nicole Bachman. A beginner-friendly dictionary to decode the Sanskrit names your teacher may use in class.
• The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar. A guide to Yoga’s deeper dimensions
• Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. 365 days’ worth of yogic wisdom, as shared by pop-culture-friendly Yogis.
• Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar. The Bible of asana.
• Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff. Explanations and illustrations that enable you to see what’s going on inside the body when you do Yoga.
• 30 Essential Poses: For Beginning Students and their Teachers by Judith Hanson Lasater. A comprehensive guide to commonly practiced asanas.
• Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness by Erich Shiffman. A good reminder that the ultimate teacher resides within.
• Moving Towards Balance: Eight Weeks of Yoga with Rodney Yee. A home-practice guide that helps you teach yourself.

Music:

• Bija by Todd Norian. A tranquil and restorative ambiance for slow movement practices or Savasana and Meditation.
• Body Healing by Shastro. A perfect balance of rhythm and ambient sounds to get you into your flow.
• Om Guitar by Stevin McNamara. A personal favorite that blends acoustic guitar with Indian sitar set to gentle rhythms
• Sadhana by Maneesh De Moor. Meditative instrumental world music that creates an atmosphere of absorption.
• Jala compiled by Shiva Rea. A high energy mix perfect for Vinyasa practice.
• Sagram Scales of Music by Wade Morisette. A great collection of traditional Mantras set to sing along with. Great campfire music for the yoga community.
• Live in Concert by Snatam Kaur. A soul stirring rendition of ancient mantras by Kundalini Yoga’s pre-eminent Kirtan siger.
• Kirtan! The art and Practice of Extatic Chant by Jai Uttal. A great introduction to Sanskrit chanting.
• Into Silence: The Meditatiom Music of Deva Premal. A “greatest hits” collection of a sublime devotional singer.

Videos:

• Yoga for Beginners with Barbra Benagh. Clear instruction and expandable sequences from a veteran yoga teacher. (bodywisdommedia.com)
• Yoga Morning, Noon, and Night with Jason Crandell. Three 20- minute practices to use separately or together. (yogajournal.com/shop)
• Ashtanga Yoga Beginners Practice with Nicki Doane. Master the fundamentals of Ashtanga’s primary series. (gaiam.com)
• Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers. A terrific introduction to Yin Yoga and key concepts in mindfulness. (pranamaya.com)
• Flow Yoga for Beginners with Shiva Rea. Inspiring scenery and energetic sequencing for anyone “who wants to go with the flow.” (acaciacatalog.com)
• Yoga Journal Step-by-Step, Sessions 1-3 with Natasha Rizopoulos. Accessible instructions that make practicing at home desirable. (yogajournal.com/shop)