Product Review #2: Manduka Black Mat Pro

       As a yoga instructor students are always asking me what yoga mats I like best and what I practice on.  I have a few mats but my favorite is the Manduka PRO!  This mat can be a little bit heavy. If weight is a concern of yours they offer a lighter option called the PROlite.  All of their mats come in a wide variety of beautiful colors!

Why I love this mat:
         - It is thick enough so I can be on my knees comfortably with out being squishy or slippery
         - It has awesome grip on the top and bottom! So I am not sliding and its not moving on the
           floor at all!
         - It has a lifetime warranty! Yes lifetime, so you will never need to buy another mat again.
         - It gets better with time!
         - Manduka is committed to making sustainable products that do not harm the environment!

Lesson Three: Learning to Be Present

     At the beginning of yoga class our teachers encourage us to let go of anything we were doing, thinking about, or  that happened before getting to class or is going to happen after class. they ask us to sit and bring our attention to our breath, to center, to become grounded, and to become present.

     It is so rare in our culture to truly be present. We are constantly on the go, thinking about the next thing we need to do. Coming to yoga class gives us a much needed escape from the constant go, go, go of our everyday lives. 

     Being present is often difficult when first starting we first start our practice of yoga.  Often we don't even know what it means to be present. Over time it gets easier and we notice how being present on our mat helps us to be present in our lives. 

     I challenge you to become aware of you thoughts while having a conversation with someone.  Are you thinking about the next thing you are going to say? Or are you being present and listening to what the person is saying? Try this and see how it feels to really be present in your conversations, how it feels to really listen. 

     This practice has helped my relationships on many levels. Don't we all want to be heard? I believe it starts with being truly listening and being present. In what ways has being present helped your relationships? 

Product Review #1: Lululemon's Interlock Power Luxtreme Wonderunder

Loving my Interlock Power Luxtreme Wonderunder Crops!

 

     I am in LOVE with this new fabric Lululemon has come out with! It is called Interlock Power Luxtreme. It looks great, it performs, and it feels amazing on.  I get very hot and sweaty when I am practicing yoga and I don't like the feeling of wet clothes on my skin.  These pants are super quick drying and are inherently moisture wicking, which means they will always wick away moisture they were not treated with anything.
    Another amazing feature is that they are not see through in anyway! This is huge for me I would be mortified as a teacher to bend over in front of an entire class with see through pants.  I am confident when I wear them that I can do any posture and no one will be seeing anything they shouldn't.
     For now they are only coming in black. I am hoping they will be coming out with other colors soon in this amazing fabric! Thank you Lululemon!

Lesson Two From The Mat to Our Lives: Letting Go

   

       Aparigraha or non-grasping is one of the five Yamas, which are part of the eight limb path of yoga.  Aparigraha teaches us not to take more than what we need and not to hold onto things.  It teaches us our attachments and grasping on to things in our lives is a great generator of our own suffering.
     We become so attached to sensations, to people, to objects, and to outcomes when we lose or don't attain these things we react negatively.  These negative reactions we have then cause us to suffer.  In yoga we learn and practice how to let go, how to not grasp, and how to not take more than we need.
      Letting go our of desire for control, our desire for material possessions we don't need, and letting go of relationships that don't serve us.  Letting go our our judgements, fears, anger, blame, expectations and so much more.  It is truly amazing what happens when bring the practice of Aparigraha into our lives and let go.
     One of the things I have been working on letting go of is my need to feel in control and plan my future.  I am practicing living in the present moment and trying to do my best right now.  I don't have to worry about the future because what I am doing now will lead me down the right path to where I am suppose to be.
     What have you let go of and how has it made a difference in your life?