How do I choose a yoga mat?

I still use the first mat I purchased 20 years ago and have become quite attached to it.  You want your yoga mat to keep you stable in your postures, be portable, and maybe environmentally friendly.  My preference is to lay a yoga towel over my mat as I find it helps prevent slipping whether I am practicing gentle yoga or vinyasa.  To find a mat that works for you, you’ll want to consider its thickness, length (if you are taller, you may want to consider a longer mat), what its made of, the texture of its surface, your practice, the amount you perspire, your priorities, lifestyle, values, and budget.  Avoid mat that are made for other activities as it may be too squishy or slippery - not all mats are created equal!

You can find mats at places like Target or Walmart that are less-expensive, and they will typically wear down after a few months and be aware of what they are made of as typically they are made with chemically-smelling plastics like PVC, which aren’t good for the earth or your body.  There are mats made of natural rubber and if you get one, know that it will smell like rubber for at least a few weeks, the jute or cork mats wear down quickly if you have a regular practice. My mat is a Tapas mat made by Hugger Mugger and it was the world’s first made-for-yoga mat, it is lightweight, keeps you stable, and its economical (starting at $20 - click Amazon link below).  Their mats are still made by the U.S. company that developed them more than 20 years ago and they have no heavy metals or phthalates (Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break-Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown but in studies of rodents, high doses have been shown to change hormone levels and cause birth defects - so I say, go phthalate free - why risk it?).

If your budget can handle it, check out Jade’s Harmony Professional mat, all of their mats are made sustainably in the US from natural rubber. 

Looking for a printed mat?  Gaiam (pronounced “guy-um”) has some really great ones and their mats are PVC and phthalate free.  They are based out of Boulder, CO and have a strong focus on natural health, ecological lifestyles, personal growth and sustainable commerce. You can find it here.

What do I use a yoga block for?

A yoga block is a prop that will help you with proper alignment and get into postures safely.  Some people view the use of props such as a yoga block as an indication that you are a beginner or “not flexible enough” - and this is not my view at all.  I believe the most experienced yogis will be the first ones to use props to feel stable and safe in their postures.  Props can be a yoga block, the wall, a blanket or a strap.  Do not be afraid of props!  Using them will help you deepen your practice and get more out of the posture.  

When you use a block, if your hamstrings and shoulders are tight (whose aren’t, right?) it will benefit you in experiencing the pose by allowing you to feel stable and relaxed so you can really get into the stretch and allow yourself to open up.  They bring awareness to your body so you can properly engage to support your muscles in the pose.  They also help the postures to be more accessible to beginners and those experiencing injury or other physical limitations. There are many yoga blocks on the market and it depends on what you are looking for.  

There are foam, bamboo, and cork blocks.  

Foam blocks are not a natural resource, but they do come at a reasonable price point, they are lightweight (great for travel!), but the wear and tear does tend to show.  Gaiam also has fun printed foam blocks -  Be inspired Yoga Block, Dragonfly Yoga Block and Flower of Life Embossed Yoga Block

Bamboo yoga blocks are all natural and pretty durable.  They do come at a higher cost than the foam. Other bamboo options: Natural Fitness Bamboo Yoga Block  (this company plants a tree for every product they sell!)

Cork yoga blocks are all natural and very durable, they are solid and weigh more than the foam and bamboo blocks.  You would not want to travel with these, but having in your car or at home, they are a good option.  The advantage to the weight is they provide a solid foundation and don’t slip around. Other cork block options: Cork Yoga Brick and Banyan & Bo Natural Cork Brick 

How is a yoga strap used in your practice?

Just like yoga blocks, straps can be used by both beginners and seasoned yogis.  I do recommend having one for your practice as it can be used in forward folds, in balancing postures, for shoulder openers, or in binds to deepen your twist.  In general, they help you to deepen your stretch and provide assistance in holding postures longer.

Straps come in various widths, fabrics and types of buckles. I have some of Gaiam’s organic cotton straps and they are good quality.   I know these require more money, but they are beautiful and I met the founder at a Yoga conference last year and she had wonderful energy and believed in her mission.  

Soulie works exclusively and directly with handpicked artisans, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs who do great work in their communities.  Click here to see all their products and check out their straps!