You’re excited about the new yoga class you’ve enrolled in. You’ve heard so many positive things about this mind, body, and soul exercise and believe it can be exactly what you need. Though it took a while to determine which type of yoga you wanted to try, which instructor was best suited for you, and which classes worked best with your schedule, you’ve finally ironed out all the details and are excited to get started. The only question is… what in the world do you bring to class?

Bottoms – You don’t have to go out and buy every trendy pair of yoga pants and matching tops to start your class, but you must choose your pants or shorts properly. As yoga is dealing with flexibility and movement it is best to wear bottoms that are tight fitting or secure enough that they won’t get in the way or expose you as you perform certain poses.

Tops – Unless you want to end up with your shirt over your head as you try forward bend poses, it’s best to get a yoga top that is form-fitting and made from breathable fabric.

Bras – The poses and transitions that are required during yoga class are low-impact, but can be a bit uncomfortable for women, especially those with larger breasts. Wearing additional supportive gear like sports bras will ensure that “the girls” stay in check while you get a good workout.

Footwear – You won’t need your best running shoes or anything significant for your yoga class. In fact, practicing barefoot is preferred. If going barefoot isn’t your thing or your feet happen to sweat a lot, you can always invest in toe socks for women. Make sure that they have grips on the bottom to provide additional traction and keep you from injuring yourself.

Water Bottle – Hydration is key during any workout. Though yoga may be a bit more laid back, you still need to replenish your body throughout the routine.

Yoga Mat and Bag – Contact the yoga instructor or gym you intend to visit to find out if they have yoga mats for participants. If they don’t, you’ll need to purchase one as it provides several benefits during class. For starters, it helps to prevent you from slipping as your hands and feet sweat. It also provides a cushion on the otherwise hard floor. If you desire to purchase your own yoga mat or the gym doesn’t have any available, you’ll also want to buy a mat bag or sling. Rolling up the mat and storing it in the bag or sling makes it easier to transport to and from class.

Blankets – Great for keeping warm before and after class as well as for back support when in frozen in certain positions, small blankets can be useful for yoga. Some facilities have blankets you can use, but, if not, investing in one or two isn’t going to break the bank.

Straps – it goes without saying that your body won’t be able to do every position successfully the first time out. Grabbing the bottom of your feet, grasping your hands together behind your back, and a plethora of other poses can seem nearly impossible to do on your own. A yoga strap is a flexible band that can be used as an arm extender to help your body bind into those difficult poses with less strain and improved comfort.

Yoga Wheel – A trending prop that can be used to enhance your experience is a yoga wheel. They can be used to help extend your reach and boost flexibility when completing certain poses. You can lay down or use your hands and feet as you slowly extend the wheel for a deep stretch that does the body good.

Yoga truly is an exercise for the mind, body, and soul. When practiced on a regular basis it has been known to reduce stress, improve circulation, soothe chronic pain, and essentially improve one’s overall quality of life. All you need to bring with you are the items listed above and a positive attitude and you’re sure to do just fine.