Packing your bag for a yoga class looks much different than packing for a spin class or a gym sweat sesh. Not only do you need to bring your mat, towel, and shoes, you also need a bag that makes it easy to do so. Most yogis want their practice to be as minimalistic and simple as possible—and for their bags to mirror this. Fortunately, it is possible to bring along the items you need without feeling weighed down. Here’s what’s in our bag for yoga class:
Perfect Yoga Duffel
[gate] There’s no denying that a strategically packed gym bag is a huge part of workout preparedness, and the same holds true for yoga. The Everywhere Duffel from lululemon has plenty of internal pockets to house your essentials and convenient straps to secure your yoga mat to the top of the bag, so it’s easy to carry everything you need all at once. It even has a heat-resistant pocket for storing hair styling tools, so you can bring everything you need to get ready for the day or a night out after class.
Quality Yoga Mat
A great yoga mat can make or break your experience. Finding a quality mat will keep your poses steady instead of slippery. This Manduka mat is super dense and plush without being too soft, offering you tons of support and protection during your flow. The material also repels sweat to help keep your mat nice and clean.
Yogitoes Skidless Mat Towel
Whether you’re taking a hot yoga class or just doing yoga outdoors on a hot day, there are times when even the most skid-proof mat will get a little slippery. Don’t think you need to invest in a whole new mat, though. Instead, keep a mat towel like the Yogitoes Skidless Mat Towel in your bag so you can quickly wipe down your mat or place the towel on top of your mat before returning to your flow. The bottom of the towel is lined with silicone pads to keep it in place, and the top is made of absorbent fabric that’ll help wick away sweat to prevent slipping.
Wet Bag
We all know hot yoga classes end with sweat-drenched clothes. With this wet bag, your sweat can stay in one place instead of spreading all around. Although you’ll have to remember to pack another outfit, keeping a wet bag in your gym duffel will make it easy to keep your sweaty clothes contained until you can throw them into the washing machine. It’s also a great accessory to have if your gym has a pool or sauna.
Yoga Accessories
Yoga blocks are a simple way to incorporate support into certain poses. They’re not too large or heavy, making it easy to stash one in your bag for class. The cork material makes these particular blocks a little more sturdy than the standard foam option. Plus, having your own blocks means you know they’re properly sanitized after use, so you never have to worry about whether they’re clean or who used them before you.
Hand Towel
Even if hot yoga isn’t your thing, you can still get a little sweaty after holding a particularly difficult pose. The smallest bit of sweat can make your yoga mat slippery, which is why it’s a great idea to keep a hand towel in your bag. You can use it on top of your yoga mat to add a little more stability when your hands get sweaty, or just keep it nearby to wipe the sweat off of your face and hands.
Yoga Mat Cleaner
Yoga mats aren’t always cheap, and even if you’re the only person using yours, it’s still important to make sure it’s sanitized regularly. The best time to give it a wipe down is right after you’re done using it, so it’s a great habit to keep a bottle of cleaner in your bag to make the task as simple as possible. This spray uses gentle, plant-based ingredients to help disinfect your mat, including lavender essential oil, which will also give it a fresh, calming scent. It comes with a microfiber cleaning towel to help absorb any extra product, leaving your mat clean and dry for the next time you need to use it.
GoodWipes
Just like your yoga mat needs to be wiped off when you’re done using it, freshening yourself up after a workout is also important. We’re not just talking about putting on some deodorant or fixing your ponytail, either—letting sweat linger on your skin can clog your pores and allow bacteria to build up, causing breakouts and rashes. If you don’t have time to take a shower before you leave the gym, keeping a few GoodWipes in your bag is a perfect alternative that’ll help cleanse your skin and leave a fresh scent. They’re alcohol-free and pH balanced, so your skin will be moisturized and clean in one swipe.
adidas Women’s Adilette Comfort Slide Sandal
Sure, you can wear your favorite pair of sneakers to the yoga studio, but why not go with something that’s a little simpler to take off and put on? These slides are simple and comfy, perfect for completing a casual post-gym athleisure look. Keep in mind that these slides do run a little large, so order the next size down if you tend to buy between sizes.
