International Yoga Day 2025: From stretches to Savasana, how proper yoga gear can transform your exercise routine

Best yoga gear: A high-grip, dual-textured mat gives you stability, while alignment guides help refine posture and avoid injury

Yoga is a relationship between breath, awareness and the body. And like any relationship, it needs the right environment to grow. Your yoga mat, outfit and props help you shape how you move and connect. When your gear supports rather than distracts, you begin to settle in, sink deeper and notice more. That’s the power of choosing your outfit and accessories mindfully, before starting your first stretch.

A comfort yoga session is more than just posture. It is a continuous conversation between mind, body and breath. If your mat slips, your knees hurt, or your clothing pinches, the body speaks louder than the breath. According to Krishna Chandak, co-founder of TEGO, when fabric breathes with you and your mat stays steady beneath you, it creates a sense of safety that helps unlock deeper engagement. “The moment your gear lines up with your intention, practice becomes a ritual, not a routine,” he says.

What you often think of as simple, the leggings, the blocks, the mats, can carry a huge impact, not because of how they look, but how they feel. “That one degree of extra support or breathability can be the difference between fidgeting and flowing,” he adds.

Also read | International Yoga Day: What is Yoga Sangam 2025, how to register and 10 other things to know

Chandok suggests the following tips to keep in mind when upgrading your gear to support a more mindful, easier yoga experience:

• Choose your foundation: Your yoga mat sets the tone for your entire practice. A high-grip, dual-textured mat gives you stability, while alignment guides help refine posture and avoid injury. Look for enough cushioning to support knees and wrists without sinking too deep.

• Support your joints: You're not alone if your knees wince during low lunges or your wrists ache in plank. Use additional pads or knee cushions to reduce pressure on joints. Yoga blocks also help bring the ground closer, making poses more accessible and safer.

• Let your fabric breathe: Clothing from breathable, natural fibres like bamboo or organic cotton allows better temperature regulation and less irritation. A four-way stretch is key for freedom of movement, and seamless construction avoids distractions during mid-flow.

• Keep it clean and simple: Closed-cell mats and easily washable fabrics support hygiene and long-term use, especially if you practise often or in heated environments. Clean gear also reduces the mental clutter that can come with discomfort.

• Match your mood and pace: Loose, flowy clothes might suit gentle restorative practice, while more fitted, stretchable fabrics are ideal for dynamic or heated flows. Let your outfit match the energy of your day, so you’re working with your body, not against it.