Accessories

Win a Lifetime Membership to Yogi Surprise!

Win a Lifetime Membership to Yogi Surprise!

Attention all yogis and yoginis! A new company called ‘Yogi Surprise‘ is set to launch very soon. It’s a monthly care package designed to complement the active yogi’s lifestyle! Think of it as a mini yoga retreat delivered to your doorstep. Each month, Yogi Surprise will send its members 6-8 full size products ranging from items like unique yoga accessories and natural beauty items to herbal tonics, organic snacks, super food essentials and more! Sounds fabulous doesn’t it? And best of all, here’s your chance to win a lifetime membership: http://invite.yogisurprise.com/

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Yoga Pants or?

I’ve heard a LOT of talk over the last little while that “Yoga Pants are Not Pants!”  From newspaper articles, word of mouth, to even a pol on Virgin Radio a couple of weeks ago. While yoga pants, specifically lululemon branded ones, seem to be the staple in the yoga community around Vancouver, there seems to be a lot of huffing & puffing about whether or not yoga pants should be worn out in public.

Whether you want to call yoga pants and all the accessories, tanks and hoodies as part of the fashion industry or not, there are certainly enough styles and colours and fabrics to enter them into this category, as I’m sure all the designers who make these items would agree.

So being the devils advocate that I am, I’ve compiled a list of 3 Places to NOT where Yoga Pants and 3 Reasons Yoga Pants are Pants!

3 Reasons Yoga Pants ARE Pants;

  • Well, let’s just say – They are PANTS!
  • They are more cleverly designed than a pair of sweat pants from the 80’s with the elastic ankles.
  • They are available in multiple colours, fabrics and styles and there is something for everybody from straightlegged to tights to capris.

Posted in a Gastown Shop Window; Ishara boutique, 38 Water Street, Vancouver, BC

While the argument can be construed that they are great if you are going to or coming from yoga they aren’t meant to be worn everywhere. Sure, but in reality how are most yoga pants different from regular pants? Form fitting? Yes, but so are tights or pencil skirts for that matter.

But realistically, there is a time and a place for everything! While I will admit, I do wear yoga pants A LOT, as tights or in the summer as capri”s, they are multi functional when I want to run in & take a class, I don’t need to go home and change first. But there are places that we really don’t need to see the lululemon logo!

3 Places to NOT Wear Yoga Pants;

  • Funerals – Take the extra 5 minutes and put on a pair of slacks that will make you come off as being a little bit more modest, especially if you are in a church.
  • Weddings – Unless the wedding involves a yoga class they are probably way too casual to pull off at a wedding.
  • Job Interview and maybe the job depending of course what it is, if you work in a business office downtown, the lulu’s won’t fly!

While I’m sure there are the lover’s and the haters out there on where they should and shouldn’t be worn, but my vote is in; Yoga Pants are Pants! What do you think?

Groovin’ Yogis!

Yoga Music http://yogasuper.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html

People have a strong like or dislike for the music that they hear in their yoga classes, I’ve even heard people comment that they won’t take a class BECAUSE of the music. People seem to find a strong connection to music, whether its something that triggers emotions, lets them let go, or dance or smile or even sing a little, there is a “type” for all of us.

One of my most favourite parts about attending a class is to hear the tunes that role through my head as my breath guides me from pose to pose. I find an escape in the music, maybe it’s something catchy or something that has a positive message just when things get a little tough that makes you push on or something that I can sing along to, whatever it is, I find that the majority of teachers have created play lists with perfect timing in relation to their class.

I’ve yoga’d to the likes of Pearl Jam, the Beatles, Snatam Kaur, Krishna Das, Florence & The Machine and the list goes on and on including various genre’s from Folk, to Rock, to Kirtan or Reggae. Where can you get the tunes you may ask? Well iTunes of course, but also many studios generally have copies of CD’s that frequent their play lists.

It has been said that music plays a great part in our brain development and stress management. Check out this video Good Vibrations; The Power of Music on the Mind about how music plays a role in our brain functions and therapeutic benefits to our health.

Good Vibrations; The Power of Music & the Mind

What type of music or songs do you like to hear in your yoga class?

Yoga Socks

Yoga Socks

Yoga socks are becoming more popular these days, especially for those yogis living in cooler climates. I know I’ve wanted to keep my socks on during some cooler room classes here in Vancouver. However, regular socks just won’t cut it – as you’ll slip and slide on your mat. But not if you’re wearing ‘yoga socks’!

There are a few different companies out there that make socks specifically for yoga and pilates. Some are toe-less and others are toe-socks. They all have grip on the bottom, absorb sweat, and provide added comfort so you can stay grounded on your yoga mat.

Here are some options for yoga socks:

Yoga Stick-e Socks
Yoga Stick-e Socks

Yoga-Pilates Socks with Grips by ToeSox
Yoga-Pilates Socks with Grips by ToeSox


Yoga-Pilates ULTRA Sport Socks by ToeSox
Yoga-Pilates ULTRA Sport Socks by ToeSox

Have you ever worn yoga socks while practicing yoga?

Horsing Around!

Yoga has certainly become a billion dollar plus industry and for sure will continue to stay that way, from the countless brands of mats & accessories available, to the countless ends of yoga clothing from all different ends of the perspective. I suppose with all of these options on the table, the traditional schools of yoga are no longer enough.

The latest, I just overheard on the radio the other day, horseback yoga! Perhaps the union between the horse & the rider is important to ensure boths safety, not so sure about actually practicing yoga on a horse though which of course, is not to be confused with yoga FOR horses.

Taken from the www.dailycamera.com, “Yoga with Horses Can Make for a Deeper Connection” by Aimee Heckel;

“After a few minutes with their equine partners, even people who are scared of horses quickly realize: yoga must have been created by horses.”

“It was such a strange and amazing sensation,” she says. “You just sit there and you feel your butt on the horse’s back, balancing and aligning yourself with the breathing, and his own posture, too. If you can sink into that, you can just click in. It made the yoga experience a lot more potent, and the horses were a huge guide.”

Read the full article at Boulder Daily Camera; Yoga With Horses Can Make for A Deeper Connection or check out the video on YouTube, Horsing Around!

After doing some digging around on the internet, yoga with horses is not a new thing. You can even be certified to teach yoga with horses, of course some is more specific to equestrians and some is more exercises for the actual horse but hey, certainly gives a whole new meaning to partner yoga! Too bad I couldn’t find anything local in order to go & check it out!

Must Have Yoga Props and Accessories

Yoga props are used to achieve proper body alignment in each yoga posture. Each type of prop can be used for different yoga poses. Here is a list of the most common yoga props:

YogaBolster

YOGA BOLSTERS

A yoga bolster is like a giant, firm pillow used to alleviate pressure. It’s generally used under the knees for support, when lying on your back. Yoga bolsters are especially handy for prenatal yoga classes and to relieve any tension in the spine.

yoga_block1

YOGA BLOCKS

A yoga block can be used during seated positions to make the poses more comfortable. The yoga block supports the sacrum and lifts the pelvis off the ground.

yoga blanket

YOGA BLANKETS

A blanket can be a versatile yoga prop. The yoga blanket can be used to keep you warm during savasana (final relaxation), raise hips above knees while seated, or support the back in reclined positions.

yogastrap

YOGA STRAPS

A yoga strap is used to deepen yoga stretches.  It can be used during pigeon pose to stretch the legs and groin muscles. Or, if you can’t reach the ground on a forward bend, stand on a yoga strap and then hold on to each end – using the strap to pull yourself closer to the ground and deepen the stretch.

yogaball-main_Full

YOGA BALL

A yoga ball can provide much needed support during backbends or wheel pose and aid in flexibility. For upward facing dog pose, the yoga ball can also be used as a support between your body and the ground.

What yoga props do you use to enhance your practice?

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