Yoga essentials: Must-have gear for every practice

All you really need to practice yoga is yourself – that’s part of its appeal. A few well-chosen essentials help remove friction so you can focus on breathing, movement, and alignment.

Yoga instructor and On Ambassador Giulia Castellani puts it simply: “The most important thing you can bring to yoga is your determination to show up.”

Whether you’re stepping into your first class or exploring new styles – from vinyasa to restorative – the essentials below help create a steady foundation for every session.

Whether you’re about to show up to a group class, or to your mat at home, the following gear should come with you for every yoga practice.

Supportive mat

Your mat is your anchor. The right one offers cushioning for your joints and a reliable grip as you go through each yoga pose. For example, a high-grip yoga mat can be transformative. It “changed everything” for Castellani, especially during more intense and sweaty sessions. “A high-grip mat keeps me aligned, more grounded, and confident in every pose.”

Look for:

- Stable grip that reduces slipping - Thickness that matches your style (thicker usually is more comfortable, thinner provides more stability) - Durable, eco-friendly materials

Breathable layers that move with you

What you wear to yoga shapes how freely you can move and how easily you can focus. Color sets the tone for yoga instructor Michèle Kalberer. “I often choose monochrome outfits like green for heart openers, yellow for core strength, pink or purple for aura and intuition,” she says. “What I wear becomes part of the class’s energy field.” 

When choosing clothing, look for:

- Breathable, moisture-wicking clothing for dynamic or heated classes - Soft, flexible fabrics like our Studio Knit Tights or Focus Pants that stretch with your movement - A sports bra that supports breath and ease

As Apparel Development Lead at On, Natasha Chung explains: “Activities with slower, smoother movement, such as yoga, don’t require as much support as something like a HIIT workout, but there is no such thing as too much support, even in lower-impact activities.”

The right layers for yoga keep you in tune with your body so you don’t have to worry about adjusting your clothes mid-flow.

Quick-dry towel 

In hot yoga or intense flows, a towel helps maintain grip and comfort. It keeps the sweat off your mat and under control, especially when practicing on a smooth, studio floor.

Reusable water bottle

Staying hydrated helps you with focus, clarity, and endurance. Stainless steel water bottles are a good pick – they stay cool and are easy to clean.

Even instructors like Jane Joo Hyun Kim rely on this essential. When asked what she never steps onto the mat without, she says, “my water bottle, scrunchie and an intention.”

Yoga props and accessories aren’t about ability. They’re tools to help you deepen your body awareness, alignment and comfort.

Yoga blocks 

Yoga blocks help you find stability and spaciousness in certain poses. They can elevate the floor, support your weight, or deepen a stretch.

Castellani notes, “No matter your yoga level, blocks are always useful and a great way to release the ego.” She’s a seasoned instructor, but always brings two blocks to the mat. “Even as an experienced teacher, I believe we remain forever students in yoga.” Choose non-slip materials like cork or high-density foam.

Adjustable yoga strap

Adjustable yoga straps extend your reach, support safer alignment, and help you progress without strain. They’re especially useful in hamstring stretches and restorative holds.

Despite training in Ashtanga Yoga (which has minimal props), Jane Joo Hyun Kim found props to really elevate her practice. “Every posture has its own progression, and using props and other items to support that journey was a pretty huge game-changer.”

Bolsters and blankets 

For restorative or grounding practices, bolsters and blankets create comfort and stillness. They relieve pressure in seated poses, provide support during longer holds and help ease both body and mind.

Joo Hyun Kim prioritizes “maximizing the coziness levels” during restorative practices. “I love wearing the Club Loose Pants by FKA Twigs and any Club T.”

Your essentials might shift depending on the style, space, and intention of each session. Keep these principles in mind:

- Focus on fit. Clothing should support you. Look for comfortable, breathable layers that let you focus on movement. - Prioritize durability. Your mat and props work hard. Invest in quality materials to ensure a consistent experience and stability. - Choose tools that truly serve you. Not everyone needs a prop. Let your body guide your choices. - Adapt to the practice at hand. Hot yoga may call for shorts, light layers, and a thin mat for stability. Yin or restorative? Softer, warmer pieces and a thicker mat might help you settle. - Listen to your body. If a pose, fabric, or piece of equipment causes discomfort, adjust. Your practice evolves as you do.

Yoga essentials are there to help you feel grounded, intentional, and open to the experience ahead. Many practitioners wear their pieces beyond the mat because of the feelings of readiness and ease they support.

Michèle Kalberer admits to wearing yoga apparel all the time. “My boyfriend usually calls me out when I’m wearing normal clothes,” she jokes. “But [wearing yoga layers] is how I keep myself ready, physically and mentally, to drop into practice, whenever I need it.”

At home or in the studio, the right essentials can help you show up fully for the practice that meets you.