We Asked a Dancer & Yoga Teacher, What’s Actually In Your Gym Bag?

Hacks to take you from work to workout.

Beyond the deodorant, the water bottle and the hairbands. The contents of your gym bag can make or break your workout, your recovery and ultimately your day.

To get the definitive list, we spoke to professional dancer turned yoga teacher, Yahna Fookes.

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Verse in national dance tours, Yahna is no stranger to packing her bag with some unusual items that have improved her practice. These hints might just make the process of heading from sport to work more seamless than ever.

What’s in your bag when you dance?

“During peak rehearsal periods you can be in the studio all day so it's crucial to stay nourished without feeling loaded,” Yahna says. She’d carry fruit, nuts and canned tuna so there was always a snack on hand in between sessions.

But when she wasn’t hungry, she might be hurting, which is why Yahna was always armed with self-care products. Deep heat or tiger balm provided easy self-massage relief. Surprisingly, she also recommends a golf ball to massage sore areas like under the arches of your feet.

Plus, she points out that when you’re working out, your body temperature is always changing, so it’s a great idea to carry layers. Think long-sleeved tops, cotton tees, a sweatshirt and even a pair of socks.

Pausing for a mindful moment

Yoga students will know that comfortable, breathable workout gear is a must, but as a teacher, Yahna is even more prepared. “I have a yoga moleskin diary that I write all my sequences in,” she says. An essential oil is often within reach too. She uses this to massage her students during relaxation.

To those who love to work out before heading to work, Yahna says, “don't forget your toothbrush and toothpaste. Nothing worse than starting the day with bad breath,” she concludes.

Armed with this new knowledge, you’ve never been better prepared to kick-start your day with a workout.