The yoga belt is part of the basic equipment for many yogis: it supports easy as well as difficult asana positions and is equally suitable for beginners and professionals. This handy tool can be used at any time to achieve gentle stretches that are not normally possible while minimizing the risk of injury. But which material is recommended for use, how big should a yoga strap be – and how do you use it in practice? We’ll tell you.
Whether standing, sitting or lying down: In yoga, most asanas are accompanied by stretching. It is often difficult, especially for beginners, to maintain balance during balance exercises – the belt can also be a practical support here. For example, placing a loop around your foot and grasping the ends of the strap with both hands can increase the stretch. Both lying down and standing up. The 90-degree angle also gives you more stability when you want to do a shaky balance exercise. If you want to practice different asanas while sitting, the yoga belt can also be of help: for example, to hold positions longer, to fix your hips or to keep your back straight. The ligaments and muscles are relieved. Read more application tips below.
Beginners and professionals like to buy a new yoga belt in combination with a yoga block. However, before you decide on a set, you should consider the following criteria:
The material: A classic yoga strap is usually made of cotton or polyester – this makes it soft and durable. Both materials absorb moisture so that the strap cannot slip out of your hands even during strenuous exercises. In addition, they are easy to clean in the washing machine. The only difference: In contrast to synthetic models, yoga straps made of cotton are particularly skin-friendly.
The Buckle: There is usually a metal D-shaped buckle at one end of the yoga strap: This is used to vary the length or to tie the strap into a closed loop – this makes it easier to hold in some positions hold and grab. There are also plastic buckles, but these are not as durable.
The length: Before you decide on a yoga strap, you should think about the length – not only depending on your height, but also on the exercises to be performed. Because the fact is: the longer the belt, the more versatile you can use it. Most models are between 180 and 300 centimeters long, but thanks to the integrated buckle you can adjust and vary the length at any time – depending on the asanas.
The width: Most models are no wider than three and four centimeters. In fact, the width is not as important in yoga as the length, so it is just a matter of personal taste when purchasing whether you prefer a narrower or wider yoga strap when practicing your asanas.
There are countless tutorials on social media platforms like YouTube by well-known yogis like Mady Morrison that clearly explain how to use a yoga strap. But we find this video even more descriptive:
Before you get started with the exercises, here are a few tips:
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.
