Yoga isn’t an expensive exercise to take up but you will need some basic yoga equipment to get you started. The five main items are clothing, a yoga mat, a blanket, a block and a yoga strap. In this article we’ll cover each of the items, what they are and whether you should buy them before you get started.

1. Start with comfortable clothing

To get the most out of your yoga practice you will need to wear light, comfortable clothing. Shorts or lose fitting bottoms work well, but avoid lycra as this could cause you to slip. Choose a top that is loose but form fitting as some of the poses are inverted, which means that your head will come down below your hips and could cause your top to ride up.

You don’t need to worry about expensive footwear as yoga is practiced barefoot, in fact many studios ask that you leave your shoes at the door to protect the floor area and keep it clean.

2. Add a yoga mat

Yoga mats, or sticky mats as they are often called define your personal space in the studio. They also provide traction for your hands and feet so that you don’t slip during the poses.

You can usually rent a mat from your studio, but they will be used by lots of other students and you don’t know how often they are washed; it’s surprising how sweaty hands and feet become during yoga practice.

You can buy a yoga mat for as little as $20 from a sports store or an online yoga specialist. Your yoga mat is the most important piece of yoga equipment so beware cheap yoga mats as they can be slippy which can lead to injuries. Most studios will happily store your mat for you if you become a regular which saves you carrying it to class each time.

3. Blankets

When you start out you will probably not be too flexible so a folded blanket is useful as a prop for seated postures. They also come in handy in the relaxation time at the end of class if it is chilly in the studio. You don’t need to buy your own mat unless you wish to practice at home as most studios will have a supply for you to borrow during class.

4. Blocks

Blocks are also useful for beginners, especially for the bending poses where you have trouble touching the floor with your hands. Again these should be available for you to borrow during class, but if you want to practice at home can be purchased from the yoga specialist store.

5. Straps

A yoga strap will help you to reach your feet in seated postures. Like blocks they are inexpensive and can be purchased for practice at home or borrowed during class if required.

You don’t need to buy expensive equipment to start practicing yoga, just some comfortable clothes and a sticky mat will set you on your way. Items like blankets, blocks and straps are useful for beginners and can be either purchased or borrowed from the yoga studio.

One of the secrets to successful weight loss is goal setting. To be successful at anything in life, losing weight included, you need to have an aim and a plan to get you there. The reason that too many people fail to meet their weight loss goals, and become frustrated and miserable, is because they don’ take the time to make their plans achievable.

Here are some simple steps you can follow to set an achievable weight loss goal and get the body you want.

Step 1. Be Specific

Successful goal planning starts with specifics. Saying that you want to lose weight is not enough. You need to know how much weight you want to lose. For example you might decide you want to lose 30 pounds. Or maybe you want to lose 4 inches from your waist line. Whatever your goal is, be specific, and write it down.

Step 2. Can You Measure It?

Make sure your goal is measurable, and make plans to measure your progress. It is really simple to set measurable goals in weight loss, you are either losing pounds or inches. Buy your self a nice journal, something you will want to write in. On day one write down your current weight, or inch measurements, and your goals. Once a week take time to update the journal. This might seem a painful exercise in the beginning but over time you can look through the journal and see how well you are doing.

Step 3. Make Sure It’s Achievable

Your goals need to be achievable or you will lose motivation and become frustrated. Is losing 30 pounds an achievable goal? Could you change your lifestyle to reach that two pound reduction each week? Perhaps it would be better to choose a smaller target, say 10 pounds. When you reach that goal you will be motivated to continue and soon you’ll see another 10 pounds drop off.

Step 4. Set a Time Frame

Now you have a specific goal to aim for you need to set a realistic time frame. Just as you would not expect to be able to drive from Orlando to Los Angeles in two hours you should not expect to lose 30 pounds in six weeks. Do some research. Either look on the Internet or pick up a book or magazine and find out how long it actually takes to lose 30 pounds. If your weight loss is likely to be at a rate of two pounds per week then it could take four months.

If you are really determined to lose weight then follow these four simple steps and you will achieve your goals.

Here are seven reasons – other than weight loss – why exercise should be at the top of your to do list each day:

1. Exercise helps your heart

2. Exercise helps keep your bones healthy

I’m sure you know that exercise helps build your muscles but it also helps to keep your bones strong. Exercise is especially important if you have osteoporosis as it can improve your strength and balance – which will help make sure you don’t fall and break a bone.

3. Exercise improves your stamina

When you first start exercising you’ll probably get tired and out of breath very quickly. But keep going and over time your stamina will increase and you’ll be able to exercise more.

4. Exercise helps your mind

Need to stay alert and focused for your job or to look after your family? Then start exercising.

5. Exercise might keep you cancer free

Studies have shown that exercise can reduce your risk of death from cancer.

6. Exercise makes you happy

[pull]I don’t know about you but exercise isn’t usually at the forefront of my mind when I think about the fun things I’d like to do in a day. But in order to fight that belly fat you need to add exercise into your daily routine.[/pull]When you’re feeling low you don’t need to reach for a chocolate bar for a instant high – instead put on your running shoes and release those feel-good endorphins the natural way. Exercise for 30 minutes a day on three to five days each week and you’ll reduce depression symptoms, feel happier and sleep better.

7. Exercise burns calories

Okay – so you already knew this one but it’s true. Exercise increases your metabolism and burns calories – even while you sleep!