This has been a long awaited post but I am finally posting it. It took so long to gather the information and get everything together! Getting a quality mat is important when practicing yoga. You do not want to be slipping or smelling harsh chemicals, right? Check out the entire chart comparison for yoga mats.

Below, I chose six mats to compare. They are the most popular mats people choose to get. "Cheap Mat" is the one you would get from a sports store, Ross, TJ Maxx, etc. They do not have brands and they typically run between $5-15, and you will see why. The mats that I decided to choose for each company are their most popular and affordable mat. Note that I have never used any of these mats before. I will always recommend any mat by Manduka, but that is just my personal preference.

Live Towards Love's Yoga Mat Comparison

	Manduka	Lululemon	Giam	Jade	Bean	Cheap Mat
Mat	PROlite	The Pure	Peace on Earth aka Print Yoga Mats (on their website, any mat that have print, they are all the same)	Harmony Professional Yoga Mat	Deluxe PER	a cheap mat
Price	$78 on official site $67 on Amazon	$48 on official site	$21.98 on official site $21.98 on Amazon	$69.95 on official site $67.46 on Amazon	$19.95 on official website $8.95 on Amazon	cheap
Material	PVC? It doesn't say on their website but it is zero-waste and latex free	Natural rubber and latex	TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer - composed of carbon and hydrogen) This mat is 6P free, latex free and PVC free	"Jade is constructed of natural rubber, a renewable resource tapped from rubber trees - containing no PVC or ozone depleting substances."	PER ("Polymer Environmental Resin - unique material that is more sensitive to the environment and your health than yoga mats made of standard PVC foam")	PVC that is not good for the environment
Thickness	3/16 in = 4.5mm	3 mm	3 mm	3/16 in = 4.5mm	6 mm	3mm
Length	71 in	71 in	68 in	68 in Also available in 74" for additional price	72 in	Standard, 68 in
Weight	4 lbs	4.9 lbs	Not reported	4.5 lbs for standard mat	4 lbs	extremely light
Smell	None	Slight	Plastic-y smell. Users say it goes away over time.	Strong. Made of natural rubber.	Slight	Strong. Think plastic and chemicals.
Variety of Colors	4 colors on website & 11 on Amazon	7 colors	Comes in every color of the rainbow and includes lots of prints like the earth, trees, mandalas)	9 colors on website & 11 on Amazon	22 colors on website & 20 on Amazon	wide variety
People's Reviews	4 stars on both website and Amazon	3 stars; users find it slippery when sweating or using during hot yoga	4 stars. Users find it is not great for hot yoga but is a good beginning mat.	4.5 stars on Amazon.	4 stars on Amazon	not applicable
Other Notes	Lifetime guarantee, great for hot yoga, this will not break down however users say that it lasts between 4-10 years	May have a slight smell and may biodegrad because of the natural rubber.	Amazon users report that they find their mat falling apart after 3 months (yoga 3 times a week). Great variety of colors and prints.	Users say that it has a very strong smell but also very cushiony. If you are finding a mat that is great for the environment, this is it. It will biodegrade, which means it will not stay in the landfill.	Some say it is slippery. Many users love the extra length and the thickness. (I got this mat for my sister.)	Overall, I highly suggest you not buy this kind of mat. It is terrible for our environment and will sit in the landfill for years and years

What mat do you have? After knowing more about different types of mats, what are some aspects do you look for in a "perfect" mat? 






NOTE: This is a recycled post from October 2012 from Live Towards Love.
Adapted from: 
Manduka 
Lululemon
Giam
Jade
Bean

Yoga is so amazing for your mind, body, and soul. One thing I get asked often is "what equipment do I need to do yoga?". If you are worried about the money, you truly do not need anything to start a yoga practice. Do it on something soft, like carpet or a beach towel. Yoga is something that you truly don't need equipment. There are a few equipment that makes yoga comfortable...

Yoga Mats: If you are looking to get yoga equipment, you will need a good mat. Avoid getting the cheap mats  as  they are toxic to you and they are awful for the environment. Think about what your needs are.

Will you be traveling with this mat? If so, you might want to choose a lighter mat. (Check out Lululemon's The Pure Mat ~ $48)
Do you have knee or wrist issues? If so, look into a thicker or denser mat. (Check out the Manduka mats. PRO and PROlite mats are great for this! ~ $78-100)
Are you the kind of person that gets easily distracted? If so, find a mat in a solid color or a mute color like black or grey. (Check out YogaRat RatMat Pro. ~ $49.99)
Is the environment important to you? If so, look into a natural mat or one that will last you a long time. (Check out Jade Yoga Mat's all natural mats. - $70-82)
Are you more focused on your alignment? If so, find a mat that has lines or boxes in the design. (Check out Gaiam Yoga For Beginners Kit ~  $29.98)
Are you looking for something more affordable and an overall great beginner mat? Check out Bean Yoga Mat that fits the bill. Bonus: It is environmentally friendly.   (This is the mat I bought for my sister. It was everything I was looking for: affordable, environmentally friendly, light, perfect thickness, and blue! ~ $19.95)
OR are you looking for the best mat ever? If so, you will want a the Manduka PRO Yoga Mat. And yes, this is the mat that we both have and are absolutely in love with. (Michael has the Manduka Black Sage PRO mat, my mat is no longer on the website as it was a limited edition.)

Look out for a future blog post for a yoga mat comparison!

Bottom mats are both Manduka PROs and the top is an Aurorae Northern Lights mat.

Other equipment: 
Blocks and straps are great for assisting you in poses, however they are not necessary. For example, you can use a block to help you with stability if you cannot touch your toes in standing forward bend. Straps can help with reaching your toes when stretching.

I have cork blocks because they are a natural material unlike foam blocks. Foam blocks are softer to the touch. Instead of blocks, you can use a dictionary, a few phone books, or even a small stool.

I currently do not have a yoga strap, but I am looking to get one. I currently use a towel and it works perfectly!

This is a cork block from Bean and a Manduka PRO mat.

What to Wear: 
Avoid loose clothing because they are 1) distracting, because 2) you will trip over them [pants] or your shirt will ride up. There is no need to get fancy yoga specific clothing. I usually just wear a leggings and a fitted tank top. At home, bathing suits, spandex, leggings and sports bras feel great because it is less distractions. I feel more free.

When practicing yoga, practice barefoot. Always barefoot. This is essential for grounding yourself. You need to feel the ground with your skin.


What are some of your favorite equipment? What are your criteria when looking for a yoga mat?






NOTE: This is a recycled post from October 2012 from Live Towards Love.
Adapted from: 
Manduka
YogaRat RatMat Pro
Lululemon
Jade Yoga Mat
Bean Yoga Mat
Bean Cork Blocks


Note: We are not endorsed by any brands and products mentioned in this post. 

There are many types of yoga and it's hard to figure out which is what and what it is good for. Here is a simple guide of the different types of yoga out there. This list is not a complete list as there are many many types of yoga!




Ashtanga
Many people know it as "power yoga". It is fast paced and intense using forms of lunges and pushups. It is typically a particular set of poses that are in the same order. It is more difficult because it goes from one pose to the next; this is called a "flow".

Good for: strength, stamina, weight-loss, stress, improves coordination
My experience: I liked going to an Ashtanga yoga class. It was definitely a work out and more difficult that what you would think yoga would be. It got my heart rate going up!

Bikram
Also known as "hot yoga". It is typically practiced in a room that is 95-105 degrees and 45% humidity. This is too loosen your muscles and become more flexible. The poses are usually the same 26 poses but it depends on the instructor.

Good for:  getting rid of toxins, getting drippy sweat all over yourself,
Note: Before going to Bikram, be prepared. Bring TONS of water and probably two towels: one to lay over your mat and one to clean up with afterwards. Mentally prepare yourself for what you are about to do. 
My experience: I barely survived Bikram yoga. I did it with Michael this past year; he survived. I would say that I am glad I tried it but I don't think I would do it again. The amount of sweat I was in by the end of class was just ridiculous. I sweat through my clothes AND my towel. It was also over an hour, I had to step outside because I was getting light-headed and I seriously could not breath. My advice to you is to definitely try it, but not as a first time into yoga. It's intense.



Hatha
More of a relaxing flow intended to go into meditation after. This yoga focuses more on slowing down, deep breathing, and meditation. It encompasses almost all types of yoga. It is a great way to learn all the basic poses.

Good for: stress, improves breathing, great for beginners, advanced yogis, just good for everyone
My experience: This is my style of yoga. I typically like to meditated after my practice and this helps me slow down. I have a difficult time just jumping into meditation because I get to excited and a good Hatha flow helps me calm down. It's also great if you want to get introduced to yoga. It's very simple and teaches you how to breath during the poses. Hatha yoga is definitely one of my favorites!

Kundalini
This yoga is intended to release the Kundalini (serpent) energy throughout your body. [This is linked to the chakras, refer to picture above. Learn more from Michael's blog about Chakras.] The purpose is to free your body to move the energy from the root to upwards. This yoga also focuses on breathing with the poses.

Good for:  getting the yoga "high", those who want to go on a spiritual journey, mind and body awareness
My experience: I do not have experience with this type of yoga but I am super interested. I'll keep you all updated when I do finally try it! Michael has been reading a lot about this which made me get excited about trying it!



Vinyasa
Similar to Hatha with linking breathing and movement, as well as, simple yoga poses. Usually starts with the Sun Salutation and goes into deeper poses and stretches.

Good for:  strength, beginners and advanced yogis, waking up, deep breathing
My experience: Vinyasa is my other favorite yoga style. I typically practice a version of the sun salutation in the mornings followed by 15-30 min meditation. I like this style because of the movement and breathing into each pose and the way it flows.



There are many types of yoga. These five are the most popular and what I have had experience with (excluding Kundalini, I am just really interested in that one). Remember that you are not limited to these types of yoga. There are far more different styles and types that you can try.

What is your favorite type of yoga that you enjoy?






NOTE: This is a recycled post from October 2012 from Live Towards Love. 
 Adapted from: 
Women's Health Types of Yoga
Daily Cup of Yoga
About.com: Yoga Style Guide
The Yoga Lotus: Sun Salutation
Dr.Yogi: About Kundalini Yoga
living-healthy-for-life Tumblr
thehealthyveggie Tumblr

[Note: this is my written art piece about yoga. It is meant to be read out loud and in peace. Thank you.]



love. breath. joy. blissfulness... Yoga is my voice.

I have been practicing yoga for nearly 8 years and it is just recently that I have found a deeper connection to it. Many people think of yoga as a way to wind down, to relax, and to get fit. Yes, yoga IS all those things. But to me, it is so much more.

When you think of yoga, you think of the poses, right? Asanas, they are called. Asanas are the poses we perform in our practice. Again, yoga is much more than that. It is mastering your mind, truly knowing yourself, finding yourself. It helps us go through life with flow and ease. It brings us peace and joy.

People always tell me, "oh, you have the yoga body." What is the yoga body? Is it skinny? Bendy? Do a handstand without the wall? Touch our noses to our knees? I guess, if that is what yoga is to you, awesome! To me, a yoga body is a vehicle. It is a vehicle that goes through life. It is one that helps us bring positive change to the world. A yoga body is loving, caring, nurturing. It brings other people light and joy.

A professor once told me "Wow! You have written a beautiful and powerful essay about your relationship with your language... You have a strong and clear voice on the page." Yoga is my voice. It is my language. It is what gives me strength to take on the world and love all beings.


What is yoga to you? 





 



Please donate to Karel's Yoga Teacher Training Fund! 

Yoga is beneficial to your health and well-being. "Yoga is more than mastering postures and increasing your flexibility and strength." To me it is discipline. It is controlling your breathing, your thoughts, and desires. Yoga has been celebrated and practiced for more than 5,000 years. The word  "yoga" means "spiritual discipline" in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.


Benefits of Yoga
I have found many benefits of yoga, hence practicing it on a regular basis.

1. Stress reduction - yoga is slow and quiet. It takes the focus away from your busy, stressful life to you inner self.
2. Calm my mind & body -  it helps calm my mind and my body. I have a lot of energy and sometimes I just need to slow down and calm myself. 
3. Makes you stronger - some of the time you are in plank, and then you are at downward dog. Don't tell me that you don't feel it in your arms.  
4. Mood - yoga totally makes you happy. According to research, this is because more oxygen is going to the brain. Talk about a natural high!
5. Helps with health - here is a list of things it helps: depression, weight-loss, cancer, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, pain. It also helps reduce blood pressure.

So, there you have it. The benefits of yoga. Anybody can practice yoga! I practice yoga. Michael practices yoga. School teachers practices yoga. Business men practices yoga. ANYONE CAN DO IT!




Do you currently practice yoga? What do you like/dislike about it?





NOTE: This is a recycled post from October 2012 from Live Towards Love.
Adapted from: Yoga
American Yoga Association
The Health Benefits of Yoga
MayoClinic Yoga 
Brenda Yoga 
ohtobefitandhappy Tumblr