Whether you are setting up a home or professional yoga studio, there is essential equipment you must account for. I have created the ultimate yoga equipment list by rounding up everything you need for your yoga studio.
The equipment you need for a yoga studio includes yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, yoga balls, towels, blankets, bolsters, meditation cushions, foam rollers, eye pillows, and yoga wheels.
While you may not need every piece of equipment in every class you teach, having them on hand can take your yoga studio to the next level for your students.
Yoga Mat
The most obvious equipment needed for a yoga studio is yoga mats. These small but vital mats are the center of the entire class. Of course, most students prefer to bring their own mats, but having a few extra on hand is always nice.
Yoga mats are essential to yoga as they help prevent slipping and provide cushioning for your body from the floor. If you are practicing on hardwood, choosing a thicker mat will provide you and your students with more comfort than a thin mat.
Some studios prefer to have their students bring their own mats, while others will provide them. Be sure to advertise if your studio is “bring your own mat” to help avoid any misunderstandings.
Yoga Mat Wipes and Sprays
Keeping your mat clean is an essential part of yoga. Providing a yoga mat wash or spray allows your students to wipe down their mats before leaving class.
Dirty mats can become slippery and begin to smell. In addition, body oils and sweat can start to break down the fibers within the mat, causing it to crack and fall apart quicker.
In addition to offering yoga mat sanitation, be sure to keep the studio floors clean by having students wipe down their areas after each session and mopping the studio every night.
If purchasing a pre-made yoga mat cleaner isn’t for you, you can make your own!
Yoga Blocks
Perhaps one of the most used yoga prop is yoga blocks. These small bricks are made from wood, foam, or cork and can be used as an extension of your hands or body to help stabilize your body during asanas.
Common uses for yoga blocks include placing your hand on one or two stacked blocks during triangle pose, placing one under your hips during pigeon pose, and placing them under your hands during camel pose.
Many yoga practitioners, both new and seasoned, use yoga blocks during their sessions. They come in many shapes and sizes. Choose a variety of yoga blocks to allow students to find the ones that fit their bodies and practice the best.
Yoga Straps
Many students have difficulty reaching their toes and staying in the correct posture when it comes to seated forward folds. Yoga straps act as an extension of your arms to help you keep alignment while achieving the stretch of the asana.
They also work well when attempting to get into dancer’s pose or other asanas that require more flexibility than we 0r our students currently have.
Yoga straps are some of the most used yoga props next to yoga blocks. They should be provided by every yoga studio to help create an inclusive class environment.
Yoga Balls
Yoga balls provide a comfortable way to ease students into backbend poses. In addition, the ball will help support their body weight as they build strength in their arms.
Other students will use them for more restorative poses. For example, the support from the ball allows one to get deeper into squats or stretch the core and back in a safe and supported way.
These inflatable props have also been used for core strengthening exercises. Whether you want to incorporate them into a class or allow students to use them to grow their own practice, yoga balls make a great addition to your studio.
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Towels
While yoga is much more than physical exercise, it is easy to work up a sweat in class. Providing hand towels for students helps keep them safe and the class flowing.
Students can use towels to dry off sweaty hands or feet to prevent slipping on their mats. Towels can also dry the sweat from their heads or neck throughout a vigorous flow.
Even if you do not teach hot yoga, it is crucial to offer towels to your clients.
Towels can also be used similarly to a yoga strap. Again, creating length and something to hold on to can help a student stay in proper alignment in asanas.
Blankets and Bolsters
Blankets and bolsters offer extra support during passive yoga poses. Folded-up towels or pillows can be used as well. However, if you teach a restorative or yin yoga class, providing the proper props for your students is customary.
Bolsters and blankets can be used as assistance in any style of yoga class. For example, keeping blankets for your clients to sit on during meditation or seated asanas helps them stay comfortable and focused on breathing rather than constantly adjusting their bodies.
Other students like to use a blanket under their knees during kneeling asanas or under their hips in positions like pigeon pose.
Meditation Cushions
Meditation is a large part of yoga. A meditation cushion can offer your clients support for their hips and back during extended seated meditation sessions. Investing in uniformed meditation cushions can take your studio to the next level in terms of aesthetics and set your students up for success.
Meditation cushions come in all shapes and sizes, so choosing the right one for a wide variety of students can be difficult. Instead, you can also offer blankets or a bolster to help assist your clients in place of a meditation cushion. However, meditation cushions can be used for more than just meditation. For example, incorporating them into a yin or restorative or seated asanas can benefit many students.
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Foam Roller
Foam rollers offer your clients different ways to get deeper into poses and stretch both on and off the mat. While they may seem like an item found in a gym rather than a yoga studio, foam rollers can provide relief for many students.
They also can be incorporated in yin, restorative, and even classes geared more toward athletes. Using a foam roller in a controlled environment can help clients reach their goals and full potential.
Eye Pillows
A great addition to a relaxing yoga session is to offer weighted eye pillows to your guests during Savasana. While this may be an added expense, you could limit this offering to select classes and make up for the cost in the pricing for that particular offering.
If you do not want to offer eye masks, using folded and clean hand towels can create a similar feeling for your clients. The idea is to allow them to tune out the rest of the world and focus on their breathing during the end of class.
Adding some calming lavender essential oil to the room can help invoke relaxation as well. Always check if any clients have allergies or are sensitive to smells before using essential oils.
Yoga Wheel
Yoga wheels are tools that you can offer your clients. These wheels assist with backbends and other poses outside their “wheelhouse.” Similar to a yoga ball, these plastic wheels can be integrated into many types of yoga.
Yin or restorative yoga classes can benefit significantly from including a yoga wheel. However, similar to any other tool, including a yoga wheel can increase the risk to your client, especially if they are unfamiliar with the tool.
Summary
Opening a yoga studio is exciting and overwhelming all at once. Knowing which equipment you need is vital to set yourself and your studio up for success. In addition, offering your students and clients proper equipment to help them achieve their yoga goals will increase their time at your studio.
The items you need for your yoga studio are yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, yoga balls, towels, blankets, bolsters, meditation cushions, foam rollers, eye pillows, and yoga wheels.
It is also essential to think of the different ability levels that your students have. Having the proper equipment to meet each individual at their own pace will help create an inclusive and welcoming community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Offering equipment such as yoga mats, bolsters, blocks, straps, and towels can help create a welcoming environment for all yoga levels. Many students bring their own mat but rely on the studio for additional props. Providing these essential props can increase business opportunities for you and your studio.
Props are tools that help you in your yoga practice. These items will help you keep proper alignment and stay comfortable throughout your session. A yoga mat, bolster, blocks, yoga straps, and a towel or blanket are great starter props for your in-home yoga studio.
To learn more about starting your own Yoga Business check out my startup documents here.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Yoga Fan
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online yoga business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a yoga business owner in public at a studio or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Yoga Business Boss: I want to help future yoga business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.