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The practice of Yoga is catching on in the West like wild fire and literally hundreds of yoga studios have sprung up in virtually every major city of the country. While many people prefer taking yoga lessons from trained and certified yoga instructors, many others prefer learning and practicing yoga in the privacy of their home. No matter which category you fit into, there are some supplies you are likely to need for practicing Yoga on a regular basis.

Here is a list of basic Yoga essentials to get you started:

Yoga Mats: Yoga mats are one of the most essential pieces of supplies you need to practice Yoga. Trying Yoga poses on bare floor is likely to cause injuries. On the other hand, if you use something extremely soft and fluffy for your Yoga practice, like a mattress or a sofa, you will not be able to get into Yoga poses correctly. You need a soft and yielding, yet hard and immobile surface to practice Yoga. Yoga mats are designed specifically for this purpose and they serve their purpose well. If you are learning or practicing Yoga in a studio, chances are they rent out Yoga mats. But, this is not likely to be a very hygienic practice if you intend to practice Yoga regularly. It may also not be financially viable to rent a Yoga mat every time you want to practice Yoga.

Mat Bags: Although not strictly required, many people who need to travel back and forth to their yoga studio prefer to use Yoga mat bags. There are many fashionable and funky mat bags available in a variety of designs and price range.

Yoga Books: Especially if you are trying to learn and practice Yoga at home, Yoga books are a must-have. Even if you are learning Yoga from an instructor, having yoga books will help give you background information about poses you are working on, their benefits, the philosophy behind them, etc. Yoga is not merely a technique to enhance physical and mental health. It is a philosophy and a way of life. Yoga books can give you a great deal of insight into the Yoga philosophy.

Yoga Videos: Whether you are attending Yoga lessons or not, it is always helpful to view Yoga videos made by experts. You will be able to see the poses and imitate them in your own time, until you have completely perfected them. The videos may also add a lot to your background information about the poses you are working on.

Yoga Props: Yoga props are easy to find. All you are likely to need is a blanket, a strap and a block. All these may be available in your house, or they are very easily available in any Yoga store. If you are attending Yoga classes, you are likely to be provided with the props as and when you need them.

Yoga Pants: While any loose-fitting pants or sweat-pants will do, as will shorts, Yoga pants, specifically designed keeping in mind the need for stretching and the different Yoga positions, are available in the market.