yoga mats

Let’s face it, at its first mention; Yoga might not come off as the most masculine exercise. But that’s just it-at its first mention. When you delve deeper into it, you will realize nothing could be further from the truth.

More males are discovering this and consequently more American men are now flocking to the yoga mats where once, it seemed, only women dared to tread. However the irony is in India where it originated, it wasn’t until recently that women were even allowed to practice yoga-that with restrictions still applied at times.

Men now make up 25 percent of America's 17 million enthusiasts and this figure is increasing steadily. Perhaps it may be because several successful men in various walks of life attest to Yoga’s efficiency and openly advocate its practice.

Take Hip-Hop entrepreneur, Russell Simmons for example, when I read he practiced Yoga (just like Sting, Quincy Jones and Woody Harrelson), it further increased my belief that in no time perhaps NOT practicing Yoga will be seen as strange.

Okay, maybe I overstated that, however, for Simmons (someone viewed as a pioneer in such a masculine and testosterone driven lifestyle known as Hip-Hop) to openly show off his Yoga Skills in a recent issue of the popular Yoga Journal Magazine, don’t be surprised if more ‘cats’ start following suit.

This may happen a lot faster as I once read in an article online that the successful coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, often uses Yoga Philosophies in the training of both teams.

It had to have been effective if it led to the Bulls being 3-time Champions and the Lakers winning their first championship in 12 years back in 2000, both under his guidance.

Now most men who practice yoga tend to favor the more athletic, fast-moving styles such as Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Personally, I bow to the simple yet powerful Sun Salutations common to the Sivananda style of Yoga.

I showed this routine and some other balancing poses to a couple of friends once and these tough workout animals were shocked at how strenuous yoga can be. They discovered that holding the asanas (or poses) such as the peacock pose, builds strength-not the brute strength of a power lifter but the tensile strength of a martial-arts master.

Several pro-athletes such as the Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe, Oakland A's pitcher ace Barry Zito, NBA superstar Kevin Garnett and PGA standouts Ty Tyron and David Duval have all at some point attested to this fact.

Either way it goes, Yoga is being rediscovered on an almost daily basis by men as indeed being ‘the’ way to go as far as exercise; sometimes exclusively, oft-times in combination with more common forms of fitness regimens.

So fellas, if you are you stilled not convinced this isn’t just a ‘girl’s exercise, do this, go to your favorite search engine, type up one of the following: The Peacock, 4-limbed or wheel pose.

Try either one for a full minute and you will be shocked-like my hard as nails friend once said-to discover that “Yoga ain’t no joke!”

Gentlemen, ‘real’ dudes indeed do practice Yoga

By Foras Aje

Compared to most of the sports and other physical activity that you can think of, Yoga requires very little by way of accessories. However, you may need to pay attention to the little that is needed because of some peculiarities of Yoga. The accessories that you may need for Yoga include your apparel, mats, props, bags, training material like DVDs, and books.

Apparel
Yoga exercises require you to stretch and bend and assume postures that reverse your normal ones. This means that you need to take care of the clothes you wear during these exercises so that they do not come in your way or distract you, but help you concentrate on the exercise instead. If you are practicing at home, you might be tempted to wear any old dress. Whether you’re practicing at home or outside, there are certain basic rules that you need to keep in mind. Your clothing should be comfortable, while at the same time being neither too loose nor too tight. If you wear loose clothing, it might fall over your face, for example when you do exercises that involve standing on your shoulders or head. Tight clothes are going to prevent you from having enough flexibility that is required to do your exercises properly. The clothing should be such that you are not worried about unintentional exposure. The clothing should be such that it does not distract you from your exercises and meditation. You should be able to find appropriate clothing in a sports apparel shop or in online stores.

Mats
Yoga exercises are performed on the floor usually with bare feet. The postures may lead to loss of balance especially in the beginning stages and may result in a fall. You need something that will avoid direct contact of your body with the bare floor that will also protect you in case you lose balance and fall. Yoga exercises can make you sweat a lot, in turn introducing a tendency to slip easily. Mats can help you here and minimize the potential to slip and also protect you in case you do. A yoga mat is designed with precisely these requirements in mind, and is an invaluable accessory for serious practitioners of yoga. Yoga mats can be purchased online.

Props
Initially some of the postures may be difficult for beginners to assume. You may need some help with these at least to start with. There are a variety of props available that can help you with many of these difficult postures.

Bags
Bags are useful for carrying your yoga accessories around easily. Yoga bags are most helpful in carrying your mats around, so make sure the size of the bag that you choose matches the size of your mat. The bags have provision to store other accessories and personal items as well.

Books and Videos
If you are unable to go to a Yoga class, would like to have a handy source for revision of what is done in the class, or would like to prepare yourself prior to attending the class, Yoga books, video CDs and DVDs are invaluable aids that can help you. Yoga videos are available for various kevels of practitioners and can take you step by step. The added bonus is that these videos are usually produced by world-renowned Yoga masters, so that you get the best of advice. Yoga music is another item that you may want to add to your list of accessories. Good music can make your Yoga experience more pleasant and productive. All these items – books, video CDs, DVDs, and music are available online, so that you can make your choice from the comfort of your home.

by Jane Farup

Yoga mats are essential to perform all yoga activities. It is the basic requirement for the people who love yoga very much. Nowadays these are very much popular because mats give the best practice at the time of doing yoga exercises. It enables you to do certain yoga practices properly and efficiently.

Yoga usually requires a lot of space but it can limit your space and enables you to stay in one place. Yoga mats are the best for yoga beginners. There are different type of yoga mats are available in the market such as sticky mat, meditation mat, deluxe yoga mat, and universal style yoga mat etc. Different types of yoga mats are designed for different purposes.

Some yoga activities create chances of sleeping or sliding so in this case deluxe mats are good because these texture mats can easily prevent from these chances. Universal style yoga mat is made up of light texture that is helpful in executing different poses. Don’t forget to take a pillow whenever you’re going to buy meditation yoga mat. Meditation yoga mat along with a pillow enables you to sit comfortably in meditation postures.

Beginner yoga mat is necessary for the people who are new to yoga. You should know your requirements before buying a yoga mat. You should prefer a yoga mat that suits your taste as well as convenience. You can also ask a yoga expert about what type of yoga mat is good for you.

By Gurpreet Sekhon

Yoga mats are small carpets that are used by people practicing yoga. Yoga is a traditional Indian exercise form that uses body postures, breathing techniques and meditation for attaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. The practice of yoga is found to have several health benefits; hence, it is becoming an increasingly popular fitness workout method. Yoga calls for perfect relaxation of the body as well as the mind. This is the reason comfort is very important. Yoga does not require any complex machinery. All it requires is a mat on which to do the “asanas,” or postures.

A yoga mat is the only investment for yoga; in fact, it is an absolute necessity. Yoga mats are now available in several models, patterns, styles, fabrics and textures. Traditional mats were made of cotton or jute, but these days, many other materials are being used for yoga mats. The main aspects to be considered while buying a yoga mat are: the durability, the comfort, weight and ability to fold. A major essential element in a yoga mat is its ability to grip the floor so that the user does not slip or slide on the floor during the posture. Yoga mats are generally 4-5mm thick, since these mats can be stiff enough not to crease on the floor while being flexible enough to be rolled up, carried and washed. Yoga mats should also handle repeated washing. Some yoga mats these days are also non-toxic and eco-friendly. Other different kinds of mats are: sticky mats, travel mats, foldable mats, lightweight mats and others. These mats are available in plain colors or patterns.

New yoga mats are relatively slippery, and stiffer. To give them a “worn in” feel, try washing them a few times. Walking over the mat for some time may also help. There are a few tips for extending the life of the yoga mats. Though most yoga mats are machine washable, the use of strong detergents, tumble-drying and spin washing may spoil the mat. The mat can also be cleaned with a damp cloth. Do not fold wet mats - squeeze out the water by rolling the mat in a towel, and press.

By Marcus Peterson

Yoga mats are a basic part of every practice. What you might not realize is that there are several types of yoga mats that you can choose from.

Sticky Mats
These yoga mats offer a covering for your practice area, as well as some stability for you when doing poses. They are thin, lightweight, and come in a variety of colors. Some of them have guide marks on them to illustrate proper hand and foot placements. In order for these mats to be sticky and prevent you from slipping and sliding, you need to sprinkle them with a small amount of water and let them air dry. You can use these mats for most types of yoga.

Ultra Double Thickness Mats
These yoga mats are basically sticky mats that are ultra thick. They provide both stability and cushioning which is useful in certain poses. They can be a great choice for Astanga practitioners who often jump from one pose to another. I personally love the ultra thick mats because of the extra cushioning they provide. It is the only type I take with me to classes.

Travel Mats
This type of yoga mat is great to throw in your suitcase or carryon luggage when you are on the go, so you can practice no matter where you are. Travel yoga mats are very thin. You would use one either on a carpeted floor or on top of a towel or blanket on a floor that isn’t carpeted.

Cotton Mats
These yoga mats are excellent for those types of yoga that traditionally cause you to sweat a lot such as Astanga or Bikram. Because they absorb sweat, they help keep you from slipping and sliding during these heat-producing practices. They work best when they are sprinkled with a small amount of water. The damp mat gives you a good amount of traction so your hands and feet stay where you place them. Many of them have lines in the patterns, which can help with your body alignment.

Cotton mats also provide cushioning. They can substitute for blankets by helping to bolster your body during certain asanas. Some people use cotton mats over sticky mats during their practice.

Yoga Mat Bag
A yoga mat bag is a great accessory for carrying your yoga mat or mats to class, work, or anywhere else you need to go. Many have extra space where you can put your keys, water bottle, and tee shirt. The bag protects your mat and helps make it easier for you to transport your yoga gear.

Now that you know about the different yoga mats that are available and what each one does, you choose the right mat or mats for you.

by Della Menechella

Yoga as we all know is becoming very popular and with its increasing popularity you can make yoga a little easier. This can be done by including different accessories to it, as to get the synergy right to gain all the necessary value and energy from it. Even though it’s been centuries old it can create miracles by doing the right poses according to your body.

These blankets or rugs as they are called are very useful while doing the yoga poses. By folding the blanket or rug it give you the extra height to do your pose, your sweat is absorbed by these blankets and lets you maintain the pose which sometimes can be tedious for many.

These can be padded, rolled up, a support for your back, neck or legs which is very essential for doing most of the poses. They come in different sizes depending which size you would be need. It will be very useful for relaxation asanas, Bikram and Ashtanga asanas.

These blankets or rugs are made of different materials like wool, cotton, polyester blend, acrylic and many different other types too. As the materials which are used are easy to maintain, you don't have a problem in maintaining these materials as they are easy to wash and clean.

These blankets or rugs also come in different colors to match your liking such as green, red, blue, purple and some very different shades. Many of these blankets are hand woven giving it a more personal touch and value for your money for the good quality of blankets. Most of these mats are basically used for being placed on the yoga mats, so go shopping for something worthwhile for your yoga.

By Kevin Pederson

Chair Yoga is a gentle form of Yoga. With so many types of Yoga available, here is one that most of us can practice. Inversions and complicated maneuvers are not necessary in a Chair Yoga class.

All it takes is the motivation to get started. Most Chair Yoga classes don’t use a Yoga mat, but the main prop used is a chair. This helps with balancing poses, and most common Yoga postures can be modified for the chair.

We have one particular Chair Yoga class, in Pawtucket, RI, that uses both chairs and Yoga mats. Within this type of Yoga class, you can cover standing, seated, supine, and prone postures. Most of our classes use the chair only, due to the difficulty of getting up, or down, on the floor.

Chair Yoga sessions are most commonly seen in senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, adult day care centers, and physical rehabilitation units. Clients can learn any number of Yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and stage-by-stage relaxation, with the aid of a chair.

Standing postures, such as Triangle and Warrior variations, can be practiced seated, or standing, with the aid of a chair. You can practice Sun Salutations or Vinyasa, (flowing postures), from seated or standing positions.

Contrary to popular opinion, Chair Yoga is not for seniors only. Most of us take our good health for granted. The physically handicapped have no age boundaries, and they are very enthusiastic students.

Due to trauma, or a debilitating disease, at any time, any one of us could become physically handicapped. Most of us drive cars every day, and there is always a risk of an auto accident.

Some younger family members of seniors, and the physically handicapped, get involved in classes and private sessions. When family members participate in a class, or private session, it is always a good quality time for everyone.

Chair Yoga teachers must continually educate themselves, be knowledgeable of body mechanics, use of props, and a variety of ailments. This field requires teachers with compassion and the patience to help those who are doing their personal best.

It is also a field with growth opportunities; as the population is aging, there are not enough Chair Yoga teachers to go around. Some estimates indicate there are 1.5 million, or more, Yoga practitioners, over the age of 55, within the United States. Therefore, the demand far outweighs the supply of Yoga teachers for this particular field.

by Paul Jerard

One good thing about yoga is that it can be practiced almost anywhere, without all those yoga equipments, and by all people of all ages.

When doing yoga it is best to wear loose and comfortable clothing. Yoga is traditionally done and practiced barefoot, but if this does not suit you, you can just wear socks or soft-shoes.

It is also best to practice yoga on an empty stomach. Empty your stomach, clean your nostril and throat, and consume a glass of warm water 15 minutes before you start.

You may drill on energy bars, fruits or drink a glass of water an hour before class to avoid getting hungry or dehydrated during yoga sessions.

It is said earlier that you basically don’t need anything in order to practice yoga. All you need is the desire and the attitude to really be into yoga and expand your self awareness.

But this does not completely eliminate the need for different yoga equipment. This yoga equipment helps you do your postures properly.

It helps you achieve the proper alignment, balance and makes the pose a little bit easier to do. The use of Yoga equipments also lessen out the stress and strain from doing your yoga positions.

Yoga equipments help you support your muscles and refrains you from any muscle injuries. Yoga equipment also helps to save energy by exerting less effort on a pose.

After a thousand of years in existence, Yoga has already been part of everybody’s lifestyle from any part of the world. From India, yoga has evolved through the years and reaches the United States and other countries extending a different yet proven effective form of achieving self balance that results to utmost health be it physical, mental or spiritual.

Now millions of people around the world practice Yoga to cope with stress, feel renewed and energized, release tension, achieve a healthier and fitter body and gain a deep sense of self-knowledge.

Doing yoga is not just about postures, there is also one vital part of yoga that we can never live without, and these are yoga equipments.

When starting out yoga you should know the basic yoga equipments that you will need.

YOGA MATS: these yoga equipment provides cushioning on a hard floor, this specially needed if your yoga studio floor is made up of cement or hard wood floor.

This yoga equipment is also provide traction for your hand and feet thus prevents you from slipping or sliding on a wrong position when your doing your yoga postures

YOGA BOLSTERS: This yoga equipment provides support for your spine, abdomen and legs in a number of different poses.

Yoga bolsters helps you achieve the utmost result of your practice.

YOGA BLANKETS: this yoga equipment helps you feel relaxed and comfortable which is essential in the practice of yoga.

Yoga Mats also provides added warmth and softness to your yoga mat, making you feel more relaxed and comfortable.

YOGA STRAPS: this yoga equipment is either made out of cotton or nylon. This allows you to grasp your body part which you cannot.

Yoga straps give you added flexibility and holds your pose a little bit much longer.

Yoga equipment may not be a requirement for doing yoga but through times they have been proven to be helpful in their own simple ways.

They have been useful to yoga practitioners especially to those who are suffering from ailments and the elderly.

Most yoga equipments are made to provide support to help you feel relaxed and feel deeper into the pose or do the pose better.

By Tony Newton