Reddit mentions of YogaAccessories Extra Long 1/4'' Deluxe Yoga Mat - Purple

Yes, last year I bought a well-reviewed yoga mat off of Amazon. I liked the length because I'm a tall guy, and the reviews said the slipperyness would wear off after the first few sessions.

Well, it never really wore off, and after 10-20min I can't do a downward dog without my hands slowly sliding. I feel like a dog in a tile kitchen.

Loved the color, loved the length, loved the thickness; none of it matters if I don't feel safe on it.

Definitely try the unlimited for a month! You might get hooked and it'll be really good for you anyway. Check around, too- is there a YMCA type place near you? Sometimes they'll have better deals, or check for punch-cards or packs of passes that'll give you a discount. Sometimes it helps to just, you know, ask for a discount if it's too expensive.

You can easily buy this stuff at a Wal-Mart or K-Mart or wherever; yeah, it's likely to be overpriced at the studio even though it's all the same. The one thing I'd recommend is considering a longer mat, which is more expensive. I'm only 5'2" and I get by on a smaller mat, but one of my ex-boyfriends was 6'6" so I ordered him an extra long yoga mat and immediately wanted it for myself, just for the extra space! But you can bop down to the Wal-Mart and pick up a mat for, I dunno, $10?

Never worry about shaving your legs- I only do it sporadically (I don't even shave my armpits for half the year, it seems like), but I've never been in a yoga studio where people cared. Basic hygiene is nice but I've been in some stinky studios as well, with some damn hippies ;)

To start, I'd simply suggest a mat, comfy clothes that don't ride up or down, and a sports bra if you've got one. Just keep in mind that you're going to be doing a lot of moving into random positions, so if you're tugging your shirt down and your pants up half the time, you're going to feel distracted and self-conscious. Also bring a water bottle.

I really love yoga; I don't do it nearly enough, or nearly as much as I want to anyway, but can tell a definite difference when I do go through spurts of doing it. I've also been complimented by a variety of chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists, because I apparently have great range of motion- which taken with the fact I've got sciatica and a terrible back, they all attribute to the yoga because otherwise I'd be in a pretzel-shape all the time. I hope you try it out and like it!!