Heck no! I definitely have fallen victim to spending more money than necessary on it because it's fun and makes me happy, but there are so many other options.

For example, no need to spend a ton on designer clothes -- just wear what you feel comfortable in, and over time your wants and needs may morph into different styles of clothes (or even no clothes! whoa!). Bolsters are amazing, but couch pillows do the job! Straps can certainly help, but belts can, too.

The only items I would spend money on, especially if you are planning to practice regularly or even throughout chapters of your life, are a block or two and a decent yoga mat. Blocks are pretty standard, but mats vary a LOT. I've been practicing for 20+ years so I've learned the slow way exactly what feels and works the best. At the minimum, my mat must pass what I call the "pinch test." Pinch the mat, and if your two fingers easily touch each other and the mat squishes really easily, nah, put that back. You want something dense enough so that your joints can be protected over the long term.

My personal favorites are from a company called Scoria. They are a woman-owned company, they are environment lovers, and they make amaaaaaaazing mats. First off, they are made with 100% natural cork and rubber, so no smells, no offgassing, and zero break in. The cork is like a panacea. It never stinks, even after a LOT of hot sweaty yoga sessions, and lemme be real, I've never once cleaned mine and it looks and smells brand new. Second, the cork is porous enough to "breathe" in a way no other mats I've tried have been (hence the constant cleaning). This also means that sweat actually makes the mats grippier. They of course pass the pinch test (and then some) aaaaand they are simply works of art.

Here is the link to Scoria's shop, and feel free to use my discount code for you to get 10% off: yourbodyyoga10. I make a small commission from this company. Please never feel pressured, but if you need some well-researched recommendations for a yoga mat, I’ve got you!

Not gonna lie, YouTube is awesome. I love me some YouTube yoga. However, it's not ideal for all people, even for a seasoned yogi like myself because 1) there's no motivation to keep at it, like there would be if you sign up for a class that you paid for; 2) the instructor by nature cannot interact with you, so you are simply going off what feels good in their bodies, but not necessarily what is right or safe for your body; and 3) It should also be noted that not all YouTube instructors are certified or trained -- and so they may not be well-versed in safety precautions (both physical and mental) we learn in Yoga Teacher Training.

Not to worry! As a yoga instructor, I have taught first timers at all ages, from 3 months (that's right) up to 70+. Some students have practiced for decades, and others have never practiced even once. My methods are equally beneficial to beginners and advanced, no matter where your are in your practice or in your life. As I always say, your body is your best teacher. I am simply teaching you to listen to it.

Sometimes I wear stretchy spandex, other times I wear my PJs and a sweatshirt. Anything you can stretch and feel comfortable in. If you can't theoretically lunge in your clothes, change. Don't worry about how it looks. Keep those tootsies barefoot so you can stretch and strengthen all the little muscles and bones in there. I say, the less clothes the better, but you do you.