yoga gift guide 2013

It's that time again! This list was great fun last year, so here it is again with a few go-to favorites as well as some new products and ideas for any yogi. Hang on to this list for your favorite yoga teacher or friend because this year's list starts as low as 17¢! :) Namaste!

1) Custom Yoga Music CD - 17¢
For just the cost of a blank CD, you can create a really special and useful yoga-related gift for any friend or instructor! DIY to share your favorite music style and personal flair. Instructors LOVE to receive music suggestions and it will be fun for you to hear the updated playlists in class! (hint, hint!) ;)

2) Yoga Jewelry Charms - $2.50
This Etsy shop boasts a variety of unique and affordable charms for everyone from the spiritual yogi to the sporty yogi. Great for charm bracelets, necklaces or keychains...maybe keep a few for yourself?

3) JuJu's Aromatherapy Eye Pillows - $4.00
These eye pillows will probably remain a staple on this list for quite some time. They're only $4 and they're all custom and handmade! You can mix and match from a huge variety of luxurious silk fabrics and scents. Pop them in the microwave or the freezer for a few minutes for an extra special relaxing treat before bedtime or use them to boost your meditation practice.

4) Chevron Elastic Hair Ties - $7.50
These types of hair ties are about as gentle as you can get without rocking the scrunchie. For those who need to pull their hair back often, these are a stylish and gentle option. At $7.50 for 10 hair ties, they make a great, cheap handmade gift!

5) Target Yoga Tights - $12
Target has recently stepped up it's game in the active-wear department, but if you're just looking for some not-plain-black cotton tights to add a little flair to your yoga practice, head over to the sock section. For around $10-$15, you'll find all sorts of cute (and don't worry: opaque) tights from simple stripes to crazy plaids. (I have the ones pictured here!)

6) Essential Oil Blend - $12.95
Essential oils have long been used to help to create a calming atmosphere, invigorate yoga practice or increase awareness of the senses. Oils make a great gift because there are tons of different scents and uses for them. You might dilute them with water and citrus to make a fresh mat-cleaning spray, pair with an oil-diffuser or gift with a carrier oil to use for massage.

7) Watercolor Yoga Art - $20

If you're not artistic enough to DIY, consider purchasing a watercolor print or notecards from the talented, Lindsey Satchell. She creates simple, yet powerful yoga asana designs that would fit beautifully into any yogi's home and for just $20, you can choose an 8.5" x 11" print from her huge collection of poses. 

8) Wholehearter Yoga Spreadshirt Apparel - $25+

Shameless plug? Perhaps. Excellent, custom gift? Absolutely. New designs are posted periodically and you can choose any product, design and colors you want! "Stay Present" pictured here, is one of the more popular designs for yogis and non-yogis alike.

9) TOMS gift certificate - $50

Whether it's the incredibly comfortable and practical shoes or the charitable organization that attracts yogis like flies, you'll usually find at least a few pairs of TOMS outside of any yoga class. If you're not familiar with the company, for every pair of shoes they sell, TOMS donates one pair to a child in need. "One for one." <3

10) Hand-Dyed Ombre Yoga Tights - $50

Handmade gifts are the best and this Etsy shop has all different colors of these entirely customizable ombre tights. Comprised of a 90% cotton/10% lycra blended knit, they offer a lot of stretch, but are breathable. 

11) oGorgeous Designer Yoga Mat Bag - $82

No, of course you don't need to spend $82 to get a decent yoga mat bag. But if you're going to splurge, it darn-well better be cute and oGorgeous has you covered with these unique bow bags. 

Namaste, people!

Check out last year's gift guide here!

yoga selfies: to share, or not to share?

Back in July, you may have seen the New York Times article called, "Yoga Practitioners Gaze at Their Inner Selfies."Author Kayleen Shaffer examined the juxtaposition of vanity and yoga and created quite a stir among supporters and haters alike. Though nobody wants to admit it, most selfies are about vanity; but with yoga, there's another dynamic: yoga isn't supposed to be about the shape of the poses. (If it were, it would be a competition that pre-teen gymnasts would win.) If it's so much about controlling the mind, breath and ego, are we trivializing the practice by snapping photos of ourselves in awesome poses? Or are we just celebrating this beautiful practice? In a world where many yogis also enjoy photography and iPhone apps, how do we strike a balance?

As an instructor, I have a love/hate relationship with selfie yoga photos. I love the inspiration that we can glean from others photos; getting ideas for our practice or new friends for support is great. But what I dislike is the way that yoga is represented in many of these photos. Is it making yoga feel too exclusive or intimidating? Are we portraying an art form or just snapping crappy photos to show-off? Is some of it over-sexualized? (That's hilariously rhetorical.) 

Whether you're a beginner or have been mindfully practicing yoga for years, we all need to keep our wide, diverse audience in mind; they're developing opinions about yoga, creating new goals or trying new poses. Though it's up to any practitioner to monitor their body in any pose, we (as selfie-posters) still have a responsibility to express our passion in a fitting way, not always a flawless, unrealistic reality. Balance your humdinger photos with peaceful, basic asanas.

Once you've come to grips with the idea of even sharing a yoga self-portrait, consider the Instagram "yoga challenges." Each day, the host of the challenge shares a pose for followers to mimic and share their versions. Often, winners are chosen at the end. (Sometimes, the word 'challenge' is just an unimaginative synonym for the word, 'competition.') Though these can be a great way to get yogis motivated for daily practice, they also can be a perfect way to encourage mindless, ego-driven practice....a recipe for disaster and injury.

That all being said, you'll find lots of yoga photos on my iPhone, here on the blog and some on my Instagram feed, even though I still dislike the idea of selfies. This blogger explained it well:

"Yes, there are some beautiful people performing near perfect poses, but more often than not, these are people who love yoga and want to share their passion. There are teachers who now have a new outlet to teach and can break down a pose in both words and photos. Photography is also a very powerful tool. It allows me to see myself in a pose, to pinpoint the areas that I need to work on and, most importantly, to document progress."

Yoga selfies are a great way to show steps-by-step instruction

I think it's pretty cool that yogis all around the world can unite and share interesting poses in unique places or artful ways. It's fascinating to see all the different people and it's equally fascinating to catch tiny glimpses of my own practice that I never get to see. I can hang on to a moment of how I felt in these poses...free, open, balanced or strong. And other yogis on Instagram have inspired my practice or given me ideas for teaching. What do non-yogis think of these photos? I don't know. But yoga photographer Robert Sturman says, in his own words, "I often think of Rumi: 'I Can't stop pointing to the beauty.' That feels right to me." It's okay that yoga is inherently beautiful.

If you're not sure about it or you've never tried it, maybe download a timer app and try your own yoga selfie or two. You certainly don't need to share or post any of the photos, but it's exciting to see such simple beauty through yourself in any yoga posture. If you're worried about doing the pose "wrong" or not looking good enough, it's also an excellent platform to step out of your comfort zone. :) What are your thoughts?

create your own mantra

The tangents that a busy mind travels down during meditation are sometimes surprisingly ridiculous. The other day, I sat down to clear my mind and 5 minutes later, I was actively thinking about surfing...in detail. I've never even been surfing; my mind had been running absolutely wild. I reign it in, only to be yanked out of control in the next minute's daydreams. Know the feeling?

This guy is probably thinking about something like roast-beef or the hole in his left sock.

There's nothing wrong with being distracted during meditation; it's only natural and it's what helps us to develop discipline. If it makes you feel any better, some say that even experienced practitioners can only truly keep a controlled mind for an average of about 3 breaths. But sometimes, your meditation might need a little extra help and that's where a mantra can come to the rescue.

A mantra is just a word or sound that is repeated either in your head or out-loud to help aid in concentration for meditation. If you know that you are going to have a rough time meditating before you even start, give yourself some time to develop a mantra to help guide you and stay on track.

1.) Eliminate obvious distractions. If you're hungry, get a snack. Shut your cell phone off. Put the kids away...etc. 

2.) Address internal distractions. Know what's bugging you most. Maybe even jot down a few things that are most stressful or distracting for you.  

3.) From there, take a look at your (hopefully small) list. Try to find a common thread, such as confusion, busyness or just stress in general. 

4.) Once you've found that common stress-inducing thread, think of the opposite feeling, word or emotion. Use that word (or a short phrase including that word) to create your mantra!  

Examples:
If you're fighting feelings of chaos, your mantra might be or include the word   "peace" or "calm"
If your source of worry stems from an overwhelming calendar, you might repeat, "Now is my time for meditation" or "I am here."
If you are having trouble keeping a steady breath, a mantra could be as simple as: "I am breathing in. I am breathing out."

The more simple and obvious the mantra, the better. Let it be elementary; it doesn't have to look good on a t-shirt or sound like a Gandhi quote, it's just meant to give personal meaning and focus to your practice. The mantra can be slowly repeated over and over to give your mind a concrete focal point. 

Meditation is hard, but it's worth a shot if you're looking for a truly transformational shift in your life. Meditation practice is awesomely accessible because you don't need physical health to start, you don't need any special equipment, you don't have to sit in any special posture or wear certain clothes and you certainly don't have to be perfect. It's about the process. Sometimes, you still might find yourself just sitting quietly with your eyes closed, faking meditation, letting your mind fly in a hundred different directions. But at least you're being quiet for a few minutes. And at least you're trying. So keep going. :)

yoga gift guide 2012

Whether you're a practicing yogi, a clueless friend or a devoted practitioner, the following 15 favorites offer a wide-variety of price range, style and function. Hopefully this list gives you some inspiration for the upcoming holiday season!

1.) JuJu's Aromatherapy Eye Pillows - $4.00
Quite possibly the most wonderful $4 gift ever, these eye pillows are hand-made and positively decadent. Choose from a huge variety of luxurious fabrics and relaxing scents and maybe even get one for yourself!

2.) Peace Sign Sterling Earrings - $5.95
Make a statement with a simple accessory and fight hunger with every purchase.

3.) ToeSox - $15
Sure they might look like a ratty old pair of toe-less socks, but any yogi will appreciate the amazing five-toe design that promotes toe strength and flexibility. They're also equipped with non-slip grips on the bottom, so you can practice yoga safely on or off the mat. AND they're only $15!

4.) Yoga Journal Subscription - $15
Be sure to check and make sure that your yogi-loved-one doesn't already subscribe, but if not, Yoga Journal is an amazingly affordable gift that keeps on giving the whole year through!

5.) Ripple Effect Fair Trade Scarf - $18
Beautiful color options for every yogi on your list, this silk and cotton blend scarf is sure to keep even the most stylish yogis looking cool and staying warm.

6.) Yoga Tote - $18
Strictly for yogis with a sense of humor, this tote and other accessories bearing the same verbiage have become very popular in the yoga community.

7.) Chocoveda Chocolates - $30
Starting at $30, this all-natural, dairy free specialty dark chocolate is just plain cool. Seven flavors correlate to each of the seven chakras! Flavors include chai, tangerine, ginger/lemongrass, green tea, peppermint, pomegranate, and honey/vanilla. Enough said.

8.) prAna Wonderblock - $30
prAna makes this amazing loaf-of-bread + yoga-block hybrid that would be extremely useful for various asanas. Reuse an old bread bag as wrapping paper for a hilarious and thoughtful gift! ;)

9.) Namaste Leather Bracelet - $38
I love Etsy and this shop is full of awesome "word" bracelets.

 

10.) Yoga Cookie Cutters - $40

Pretty much an essential for any serious yogi, these yoga cookie cutters are sure to automatically create the healthiest baked goods on the block...right?

11.) Yoga! (Gift Certificate) - $50

Seriously, what better gift for a new or practicing yogi than yoga? Many studios and private instructors offer gift cards for any amount, but a nice class pass will normally start around $50. Call your local studio to find out and be the hero for your yoga-loving-loved ones!

12.) Zafu Meditation Pillow - $60

Handmade in the U.S. and starting at $60, these Zafu pillows are amazingly comfortable for extended meditation practice. Great motivation for those beginning a meditation practice or a welcome treat for those accustomed to sitting on the floor for hours at a time.

13.) Rectangular Manduka Bolster - $68

The versatile rectangular bolster is an extremely useful yoga prop for yogis of every level. Lightweight and firm, it weighs significantly less than standard bolsters and retains its shape and firmness for years of practice.

14.) Jade Yoga Mat - $70

Jade makes the undisputed best yoga mats, hands (and feet) down. $70 might seem steep when you can purchase mats for $10, but for someone who practices yoga often, it's nice to have a well-made yoga mat that will last and not leave tiny rubber chunks all over your body or the studio you practice in. Jade is also committed to being Eco-friendly and they give back to environmental causes with each purchase.

15.) Something Expensive from Lululemon - $80+

If all else fails, you can't go wrong with some sort of Lululemon apparel or gift card. If you haven't heard, Lulu is the creme-de-la-creme of yoga apparel. I'm told that what they lack in affordability, they make up for with vanity...I mean quality. Until I receive said gift card or find $80 in between my couch cushions to drop on a pair of tights, I think my Target apparel is working out just fine.


Namaste, people!

Check out the 2013 Gift Guide here!