Yoga Mats

You know? Father’s Day is almost upon us, and if your dad is a healthy guy who likes to work out or generally stay in shape, why not introduce him to yoga by buying him either a yoga mat, some other yoga props like a yoga props video [DVD], and then complete the “intro package” with some choice meditations cushions or other such supplies.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Well…my dad’s not into yoga; why would I want to introduce him to yoga?” Like I said, if your dad is a healthful kind of man who can appreciate something new and challenging, why not surprise him with a truly unexpected gift, like yoga props and meditation cushions? And if you’re still thinking “no” on the meditation cushions, then why not at least get him some yoga straps, which are fantastic to assist people with their stretching exercises just before a work out?

It’s kind of amazing, the many different yoga props that go along with the intriguing art [or is it an exercise…or a way of life?] of yoga. Take, for instance, the yoga foam wedges; they are a great idea for aiding people in more difficult poses, or can be used to alleviate stress in joints, by adding support, or…whatever one could think of!

Quite simply, they can serve as great tools for persons engaged in various yoga exercises and poses, and the thought comes to mind, ”I wish I had something to raise my heels, or my hips….”

Sure, if you happen to have some yoga meditation cushions, those could serve the purpose, but the yoga wedges are light, firm, grip, and provide an even plane for the desired angle or height; stack a few in various configurations to achieve even greater precision or increase.

I’ve known a few yoga practitioners in my time, but I never quite realized how involved things can get with the various yoga props such dedicated individuals utilize while exercising, stretching, and posturing! Oh, I’ve been aware that yoga can be rather rigorous, even though most of us, when we think of yoga, picture a person meditating in a lotus position, right? I had known about meditation cushions, yoga benches, and yoga mats, for sure; but I had never known about yoga paws, for instance.

Yoga paws, for those who don’t know, are sort of like rubberized, fingerless gloves [sort of like workout gloves], worn on the hands and feet, used to help hold more advanced yoga postures where hands and feet are liable to slide, even on “sticky” yoga mats, or perhaps a hardwood floor, where bare feet would otherwise grip, but could slip due to sweat. The hot yoga towel, like the one pictured here, will help absorb sweat, and assist in maintaining your grip.

A great gift to a person who is building his or her collection of yoga props and other meditation supplies are gorgeous, silk, meditation cushions. These luxurious, silk zafu pillows are perfect for the dedicated person who has made meditation an integral part of his or her life. Just take a look at the array of color and fabric choices and you’ll see the fabulous appearance, but wait until you FEEL these! Each cushion is filled with 100% organic buckwheat hulls that soothingly fit your body.

And then, as you rest on these plush beauties, breathe deeply: you’ll notice just the slightest trace of lavender. Lavender has been shown to relieve stress and have soothing qualities to the mind and soul. Every meditation cushion featured here is decorated with and Om coin on the carrying handle and also include a hidden side zipper.

Pranayama bolster pillows might not be well-known to the general public, as perhaps Pilate’s mats or other yoga mats, but the elongated pillows with the peculiar name are not unusual or unheard of among those who have a passion for yoga. Pranayama bolsters help to support and keep your spine in alignment for deeper breathing while seated erect, and add great lower back arch support while in a horizontal position—a definite must for any yoga practitioner’s collection.

In fact, as one grows in his or her adeptness in yoga posturing and other yoga exercises, such an individual will want to expand his or her collection of yoga mats, meditation pillows, and yoga bolsters so as to always have just the right piece of equipment to incorporate into a particular regimen; Pranayama bolster pillows are sure to find their way into any serious practitioner’s assortment of yoga supplies.

As you start to build up your collection of various yoga props, one item you’ll get the most enjoyment from are silk eye pillows (shown); also known as yoga eye pillows.  After a rigorous session of stretching, posturing, and exercise, or perhaps before you begin your session, if you have a headache, these organic flaxseed filled pillows are breathable, and apply gentle pressure that will reduce stress and help you to relax.

The smooth silk surface is very comfortable and feels wonderful on the skin, as well as to eyeballs and forehead, where pressure often builds up.  Who knows?  Perhaps while you relax and de-stress under the experienced hands of a masseur or masseuse, on a shiatsu Thai massage mat, you can rest your eyes directly on your yoga eye pillow.

When buying your various yoga props, make sure you get your yoga stretching straps, [pictured here] which will help you achieve all of the yoga postures you would hope to, but wouldn’t really be very possible without them; especially if you’re a beginner and your flexibility isn’t quite yet where you’d like for it to be.

And while you’re at it, remember to pick up a few yoga bolsters to support and protect your back and spine while stretching lying down, plus, you’ll want to grab at least one decent yoga bag with a carrying strap, to carry all of your new, groovy, yoga stuff!  The last thing you want to do is have to lug all of your yoga props around in a pillowcase!

If you ever have any inclination toward serious meditation, go ahead and invest in some nice meditation cushions to carry along in your yoga bag, and include them with your other yoga props.  Any serious practitioner of yoga knows a common couch cushion and a pillow off your bed just doesn’t inspire feelings of centeredness and harmony when seeking to clear your mind and meditate.

Now…you don’t have to feel like you MUST go and invest in some nice silk Zafu or Zabuton meditation cushions; there are exceptionally comfortable, pure, white, cotton cushions, rather than silk, if you would prefer.  Either way, you can’t go wrong…so long as you do get the meditation cushions that will best fit your needs.

Yoga sand bags help you develop your posture by implementing weight in different poses.  Made of high quality nylon packcloth, with a convenient handle affixed, no collection of yoga props would be complete without these versatile, indispensable, tools of yoga commitment.

Surely, you’ll want to keep a few of these handy, along with your yoga bolsters and yoga blocks, as every serious practitioner of any sort of fitness training will tell you: in order to work smart, while working hard, you need the right kinds of tools to facilitate the greatest degree of improvement.

And while you’re working up a good sweat and accomplishing all you intend for any given session, you’ll want to make sure you keep a few yoga towels handy to absorb sweat, while also discouraging slipping, catching your sweat all the while.

Yoga posturing and other yoga exercises can really make you work up a sweat.  With this in mind, you really need to take good care of your yoga mats and make sure they’re kept clean and free from unhealthful bacteria. But you don’t want to go wiping your yoga mats down with an antiseptic wipe or some other household cleaners that might be harmful to not only the environment, but also to your health and the health of those who use the mats.  No, it’s best to use specifically designed yoga mat cleaning wipes with essential oils.

You probably already know it, but there are proven, long-held, therapeutic benefits found in certain aromas; thus the popularity in recent years of aromatherapy— essential oils is the source.  For example, the aroma of lavender is known to have a calming effect.  It is anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and naturally cleansing.  It is shown to relieve certain allergies, helps treat PMS, shock, insomnia, and stress, and also promotes feelings of love, peace, and health.

So don’t fiddle around with household wipes to clean your yoga mats; use only specially made yoga mat cleaning wipes with essential oils.