What you need — less than you think
A yoga mat is useful but optional — any non-slip surface works. You need nothing else. No special clothing. No blocks (though a rolled blanket substitutes). No instructor until you want one. The barrier is lower than the industry wants you to believe.
A yoga mat
£10–30A non-slip surface makes balance poses possible and floor work more comfortable. Any mat between 4–6mm thickness works. Budget mats (Yoga-Mad, Amazon Basics) are fine for home practice. You don't need a £80 Lululemon mat to get the same benefit. A mat also creates a physical boundary that signals 'this is practice time' — the psychological effect is worth more than the cushioning.
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A timer
£0For a 20-minute practice, set a timer and stop when it sounds. Yoga expands to fill whatever time you give it — a timer creates a container. Without one, it's easy to either rush through or spend 40 minutes on three poses. Your phone's built-in timer is fine.
A wall
£0Walls are the most underused yoga prop. Use a wall to support balance poses, check alignment in Warrior I (heel against the wall ensures the back foot is correctly angled), and safely practice inversions. A clear 2m × 2m wall space is enough.
Yoga is not about flexibility
Flexibility is a byproduct of yoga — not its purpose, and not a prerequisite. Many beginners don't attempt yoga because they 'aren't flexible enough.' This is like not going swimming because you're not wet yet. Inflexible people gain more from yoga than already-flexible people. Stiffness is not a disqualification.
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