2012 Yoga Essentials

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Sore Muscle Soothers

Whether you're a newbie or advanced yogi, sore muscles are bound to happen. To sooth muscles try Burt's Bees Muscle Mend. The small container is easy to throw into your yoga bag, yet strong enough to temporary relieve sore muscles. Although it does have a strong smell, it goes away after a few minutes. It's non-greasy, vanishing and works marvelously.

Editor's Pick: Tiger Balm. The mixture of menthol, camphor and natural herbs helps loosen your aches and gets your blood moving.

More: How Yoga Can Help Your Lower Back Pain

Yoga Props

Yoga props help you reach your fullest expression safely and properly. Stick-e Knee & Wrist Saver offers support for your wrists, knees, ankles and elbows during weight bearing movement. This prop puts less stress on your wrists and allows you to hold your pose longer. Plus, it uses the same slip-less technology as the socks and gloves, so you won't have to worry about any mishaps. Yoga straps provide you length so you can grab your arms, legs, hands or feet when limbs are beyond your reach. Staps also help you bind your limbs in position and perform other poses to feel a nice stretch.

Editor's Pick: Yoga Blocks. Move into poses safely and effectively with beautiful alignment because blocks provide support and extra height. They come in all sorts of colors, can be used for any pose and are affordable.

More: Align, fold, and hold with the right yoga kit.

Yoga Bag

Well, you need a durable bag to fit all of your yoga essentials. The Everything Fits Gym Bag is eco-chic and keeps you organized. There's a place for everything in this bag, a ventilation compartment to hold shoes, wet clothes or towels, a water bottle holder, cell phone compartment and more. Plus, your yoga mat fits nice and snug with the adjustable straps underneath.

Editor's Pick: The West Coast Pack, by lululemon, gets you from home to the gym to work and back, rain or shine. This backpack is water resistant, has padded compartments for electronics, space for clothes, straps to hold your mat, a rain cover bag to fit over your mat, ventilation and more. It's perfect for the man or woman who's on the go.

More: 10 Reasons to Try Yoga

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