Mindful about Mats

I have been using the same bright purple mat that I got at Winners since I started practicing yoga some years ago and I have become quite attached to it despite its worn in smell and loss of colour.

 I definately needed a new mat but the idea of breaking it in was not appealing to me as I envisioned myself slipping and sliding around in my own puddles of sweat during a hot yoga class .

 When I came to realise that the mat I had been using was sending bad toxins into the environment this gave me the push I needed to get a new one. What most of us don’t realise is that many mats are made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which unfortunately is as bad as it sounds and has negative effects on both the body and the environment. In particular, the nasty toxins it releases effect the endocrine system. One of the reasons that many of the mats we see today are made from PVC is for the stickiness that this material provides.


 Naturally, we like to feel secure from slipping on our mats and PVC provides this security for a reasonable price. However, the long term effects of PVC will undoubtedly make most of us think twice about what type of mat we are practicing on.

This information influenced my decision to purchase a Jade Yoga Mat, made completely from natural rubber and containing absolutely no PVC. I am now sporting a pretty sleek black harmony professional mat from the Jade range and I couldn’t be happier, its non-slip, light weight and I don’t even need to use it with a non slip towel. using it for the first time required no breaking in and there was no slipping and sliding taking place.


As yogis and yoginis we must remember our relationship to living things around us and respect the earth. The last thing we want is to hurt the environment and ourselves through the practice of yoga.While there are other eco friendly mats available the deciding factor for me was that Jade will plant a tree for every mat purchased, I love this idea almost as much as I love TOMS shoes who will give a child in need a pair of shoes for every pair purchased. You absolutely have to love companies with type of philosophy. Jade mats can be purchased at numerous studios around the GTA or ordered online. Happy Thursday and Namaste !!!!!


http://www.jadeyoga.com/

Remaining Objective

There is something about the idea of starting fresh that mentally prepares you for what is to come. Whether it is starting a diet, a new job, or a new project, we usually want to begin with a clear mind. I decided I would start entries for this blog on a Monday for the same reasons and as I opened Monday mornings Globe and Mail I came across an article titled “Thinking of trying Hot Yoga?...Read this first” By Dakshana Bascaramurty.

Essentially, this article cites the ill effects of hot yoga describing numerous cases of fainting and injuries that have occurred as a result of practicing yoga in heated temperatures. The article also questions whether practicing yoga in the heat really does get rid of toxins or if the effect is minimal.

 Yoga has recently had a surge in popularity in Western society and in Toronto, studios are accessible at almost every subway station and it is not uncommon to see people lugging their yoga mats around as they go to or from a class at one of these studios. While it may be something fairly new to Western society, it has been practiced for thousands of years by our friends in the East. I can’t help but wonder if it is because of its novelty and surge in popularity that the critics have started to spring up left, right and centre?  

Like any sport or physical activity, it is essential to monitor how your body feels and respond appropriately. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day leading up to your  yoga class, do not eat a heavy meal prior to class and if you feel tired or dizzy, rest. I am yet to see articles in my daily newspaper on the ill effects of running, soccer, swimming , spinning or any other sports that we are “more” familiar with.  Practice caution with any form of physical activity and figure out what is right for you and what is not. Some people love running some people hate it. Some people love yoga and some people hate it. A knee injury can occur from pushing yourself to train for a marathon the same way a neck injury can occur when incorrectly attempting a head stand. (Sirshasana ). Moral of Monday's story ? Listen to your body regardless of what your are doing to keep fit.

For the full article visit

 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-trends/thinking-of-trying-hot-yoga-read-this-first/article2065903/

Namaste