What Tools Are Right for Your Practice

Your practice called. It wants upgrades.

A no-fluff guide to the ideal setup for strength, stability, and sweat.

For years, CorePower Yoga and Manduka have shared a commitment to thoughtful, performance-driven tools that support real practice. Together, we’re breaking down the exact mats, towels, and props our instructors rely on to stay steady and focused. Think of this as your mini guide to building the setup that supports your strongest, safest, most satisfying flow.

Find Your Flow Essentials

The type of mat, towels, and props you need often depend on the type of class you’re taking and the frequency of your practice. If you’re into hot yoga, for example, sweat management is top of mind. If you’re a daily practitioner, durability is key. A studio favorite, the Manduka PROlite is durable and ideal for everyday use. Its high-density cushion offers stability and support without feeling squishy; it’s water resistant and has a dot-pattern bottom so it stays put on the floor. For eco-conscious types, the Manduka eKO is made of sustainably harvested natural tree rubber with no harmful dyes and still offers a grippy feel with a lighter environmental footprint.

Manduka GRP mats are for the hot yoga devotee because they’re built specifically for sweat-heavy practices. The GRP Adapt is a medium-support, porous, open-cell mat that allows moisture to be absorbed into the mat. This style of mat keeps you steady even when your hands get slick. Catrina Reeder, CorePower Yoga’s director of new studio openings and C2 instructor, uses the GRP mat. "It's lightweight and grippy, and easy to clean and dry post-sweaty class,” she says.

Getting the most out of your mat requires a bit of maintenance. Why? A well-maintained mat lasts longer and feels better under your hands and feet. Try to wipe your mat after each practice with a gentle cleaner and allow it to fully dry before rolling. You’ll know you’re ready for a new mat when the grip feels less consistent, the surface shows visible wear, it starts to smell, or it flakes. 

In heated classes, a towel isn’t a bonus, it’s your best friend, especially if you practice in any heated format like C2, Hot Power Fusion, or Yoga Sculpt. Full-mat towels like Yogitoes Hot Yoga Mat Towel absorb sweat, enhance grip, and create a non-slip layer between you and your mat. Full towels like eQua add softness and comfort on the mat and are quick drying. A mat towel also keeps your mat clean by acting as a barrier during sweaty practices and extending the life of your mat.

When you don’t need a full towel, hand towels allow for grip on demand and are a nice in-between. Michelle Salvatore, VP of operations and Yoga Sculpt teacher, usually skips the mat towel and opts for a hand towel. She looks for maximum absorption and high quality in a yoga hand towel since she uses it to wipe her face during class. As for colors, she loves bright jewel colors and patterns that always match her otherwise classic black look.

Blocks and straps are provided in every CorePower class and help anyone who wants to deepen, strengthen, or fine-tune their practice. Blocks can bring the floor closer, offer stability while balancing, and help deepen stretches safely. They’re especially helpful if you’re working on hip mobility or exploring deeper shapes without pushing past your edge. Common poses for blocks include Half Moon and deep backbends. Straps are great for hamstring stretches like in Seated Forward Fold or Dancer’s Pose, as well as shoulder openers, binds, and mobility work.

So…what’s the right setup for you?

Mat selection and whether to bring a full towel, hand towel or both is somewhat subjective. Many practitioners have more than one mat and pair them with different towels. Take CorePower CMO/CCO and Yoga Sculpt teacher Sarah Choi who owns five mats and rotates through them. “I love having different color mats — I have a pink, blue, and black mat. Even though my towel covers up the mat, when there is some color, it makes me happy and lightens up the way I feel about my practice,” she says. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s an easy way to match your setup to the style of class you take most:

For the Hot Power Fusion devotees

• GRP Adapt mat

• Yogitoes Hot Yoga Mat Towel

• eQua Yoga Hand Towel

For the everyday practitioner, from C2 to Yoga Sculpt

• PROlite mat

• eQua Hot Yoga Mat Towel

• Hand towel

For the eco-minded CoreRestore fan

• eKO Mat

• Yogitoes Hot Yoga Hand Towel

As your practice shifts, the tools you need might, too. Whether you’re sweating through a Yoga Sculpt or C2 class, relaxing in CoreRestore, or doing it all, we’ve got all the right gear to help you move safely and confidently. 

Shop your setup now!