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 studio 2013 revamp

For a while now, I've been brewing up and boiling over with ideas to freshen up Wholehearter Yoga studio. I haven't had a chance to complete my entire vision because I've been so busy/blessed with teaching! I wanted my studio to all feel more cohesive and planned, like it looked in my head. I just realized how much time I will have off for the holidays with no students and no real plans, so I've already torn the whole place apart and it lies in shambles waiting for more concrete plans. Here is what the studio looked like just a few days ago, before I got my hands on it:

The Before!

Here's a little sneak peek at one addition:

I wanted to create something typographical that could be used as art as well as a drishti (or focal point). I chose to use words that one might find themselves focusing on during a yoga practice...things that we might all need. I love how it turned out and I hope my students find something meaningful when they need it!

I'm not tearing down any walls or anything (sigh), but everything you see in these photos is now old news. I don't know if my ambitious plans will all come to fruition, but I can at least assure you: it won't be looking quite like this in 2013!

Stay tuned...and namaste! :D

2013 update:
It's done! :) You can check out the photos here.

I had a lot of fun creating the studio artwork. I wanted the makeover to make the whole place look clean and bright, so I added a lot of white accents. I wanted the decor to be simple in color and content, but provide areas of focus.

 I love to bring in elements of nature when I can, but with a neutral color palette, I chose a simple silhouette of a tree and a great, powerful quote.

The third main piece I did was also meant to be a gentle and beautiful reminder. The chaotic swirls vs. negative space offered some great symbolism of daily life vs. yoga time!

Namaste! :)