A Few of Our Favourites – Yoga & Wellness Products
A Few of Our Favourites – Yoga & Wellness Products
From yoga mats to yoga pants and some inspired jewelry… take a peek at our favourite Yoga and Wellness apparel and teaching essentials!
A. Yoga Mat – Manduka eKo Mat
CORE COMMITMENTS:More than eco-conscious yoga gear, Manduka’s mission is founded on five principles: “love”, “invite & unite”, “nurture our planet”, “joyology” and “celebrate design”. “Manduka is much more than stuff. Our mission is providing you with the planet’s most innovative thoughtfully designed and most consciously made gear for the hour and ½ you spend on your mat. And the best mind, body and soul for the twenty-two and ½ hours that follow”.
WHY WE LOVE: My absolute favorite yoga mat…and I have tried many in my time! The Manduka ProLite mat is the perfect blend of joint support, traction, durability and versatility. The mat is not as heavy as the traditional heavy duty Manduka mats so it makes it easier to tote along with you to class or on your travels. Loving the “Seaglass” & “Lure” colors right now…soothing and uplifting all at the same time!
HOW TO FIND:http://www.manduka.comhttps://twitter.com/mandukayoga
B. Bolsters & Cork Blocks from Manduka
WHY WE LOVE: Bolsters and blocks are both so multi-functional. These two products will have you supported from all angles.
My bolster is my meditation cushion, my support in restorative heart openers, my lower back support after a long day at work, my reading pillow in bed and a chin rest for my doggie Neo :)
These cork blocks are the perfect support in standing series poses, for me, especially in twisting poses. They are just the right weight and derived from a highly renewable resource. They also double as support in restorative heart openers, facilitate progression in backbends, are great in hip openers, and work perfectly as book-ends & booster seats! The list goes on….
HOW TO FIND:http://www.manduka.com
C. Cashmere Legwarmers
WHY WE LOVE: Legwarmers are one of my all-time favorite pieces of clothing….and everything is better in Cashmere :) Legwarmers confirm I am such a child of the 80’s. For a more vigorous Vinyasa practice I prefer practicing in three-quarter length leggings and thus in the winter my ankles get cold! These legwarmers come with me everywhere and look adorable tucked into boots. At long last, fashion & function meet!
HOW TO FIND: I cannot remember for the life of me where I got mine & had to cut the tags off as they were itching my legs! A quick google search turns up plenty of nice looking options though!
D. Jivamukti China Gel (White) & Jivamukti Organic Aloe & Lavender Aroma Lotion
CORE COMMITMENTS: “As a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings, Jivamukti Yoga is grounded in the original meaning of the Sanskrit word asana as “seat, connection” - relationship to the Earth. Earth implies all of life. Citing Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, which states that asana should be sthira and sukham, Jivamukti Yoga maintains that one’s relationship to others (asana) should be mutually beneficial and come from a consistent (sthira) place of joy and happiness (sukham)”.
WHY WE LOVE: From the moment one of my very first teachers gently massaged this aloe & lavender aroma lotion into my neck and shoulders in a blissful shavasana, it has been one of my absolute practice and teaching essentials. I also have plenty of stock stored at home as it is the perfect cream to apply before bed or even meditation practice. The Jivamukti White China Gel is something I discovered at the Jivamukti Boutique in NYC. This is the BEST muscle balm I have ever tried. For me, this tops arnica gel and any other topical creams I have tried. I put this on my chest if I feel congested and on my ankles as they frequently feel tired & swollen….it provides instant relief. I stock up every time I am passing through NYC!
HOW TO FIND:http://jivamuktiyoga.com ; http://jivamuktiyoga.com/shop/
E. Hardtail Tanks & Bralets
CORE COMMITMENTS: “A Colorful American Tale. Hard Tail comes in red, white, and blue—and more than 100 other colorations .Hard Tail, the prodigious line of brilliantly hued workout and casualwear that is a perennial favorite from Los Angeles to Long Island, is such a staple in the marketplace that it is easy to focus on its success and miss the story behind the company. "We really are all about color," Cantrell says. More than 100 colorations, with evocative names such as babbling brook, starry night, crushed blackberry, and night owl--the name of Cantrell's Vietnam squadron--permeate the collection, as well as 70 fabrics, including silk and cashmere, a new two-tone featherweight fleece that features cotton on one face and Tencel on the other, featherweight 21-wale corduroy, and voile--"one of our really volume fabrics"--which Cantrell is mixing with the corduroy. "Our vision is of a person walking out of the house wearing six different fabrics and six different colors, and looking like a flower," says Cantrell. "You just pop."
WHY WE LOVE: They are SO cute & come in so many colors! Hardtail has created great fitting bralets and tanks in virtually all of the colors of the rainbow and have several different styles and fits to choose from. I am not equipped to be the authority on support and thus not sure if they would be the best recommendation for those with more voluptuous chests….I can however confirm that they are adorable, stylish & great layering pieces.
HOW TO FIND:http://www.hardtailforever.com
F. B by Donna M “Flared Rollover Pant”
CORE COMMITMENTS: “The b by donna.m is a collection that is 100% domestically designed and produced in america….from the fabrics to the finishing. all fabrics are exclusively knitted in los angeles to donna.m’s specifications and sewn in our very own factory. each item is “GARMENT DYED”….therefore they are all pre-shrunk to keep their shape, color, fit and longevity for years to come due to the unique fabric and dye technique! …so you can go everywhere you want to b…”
WHY WE LOVE: For anyone that knows me, they know I live in these pants…not just for practicing yoga yet for lounging around the house, relaxing at a resort and for travel. They are simply the BEST! The fabric is so soft and the pants so “flow-y” that I feel like I am floating when I wear them - Almost as great as wearing nothing at all. I bought my first pair on my very first yoga teacher training at Kripalu in 2003….(shhhh….I still have them!)
HOW TO FIND:http://bbydonnam.com/store-locator/
G. Wunder Under Roll Down Crop Leggings
CORE COMMITMENTS:“We are passionate about sweating every day and we want the world to know it. Breathing deeply, drinking water and getting outside also top the list of things we can’t live without”.
WHY WE LOVE: Of all the Lululemon pant styles, these are my very favorite. I love the three-quarter length for a more vigorous practice and the roll-down feature at the waist ensures I don’t have to worry about coverage….especially important when you are on display in front of 40 students. Less worry, more yoga!
HOW TO FIND:http://www.lululemon.com
H. Toms Shoes
CORE COMMITMENTS: The TOMS® Story: “While traveling in Argentina in 2006, TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a new pair of shoes for a child in need. One for One®.What began as a simple idea has evolved into a powerful business model that helps address need and advance health, education and economic opportunity for children and their communities around the world. We give in over 70 countries. We've given over 35 million pairs of shoes to children in need, teaching us 35 million lessons”.
WHY WE LOVE: So easy to slip on and off before & after class – TOM’s are like wearing slippers – so comfortable yet also so good for your feet. All the shoes are made …… and for every pair purchased another pair of shoes is donated to a child in need.
HOW TO FIND:http://www.toms.com ; #oneforone
I. Malas – Meditation & Body Adornment
WHY WE LOVE: Always comprised of 108 beads, 108 is an auspicious number in yogic philosophy and traditions. Malas serve as “counters” for mantra meditation practice and can also be worn as beautiful body adornment (neck, wrist or belly!).
HOW TO FIND: My beads are a gift from my teacher. Tiny Devotions has a lovely selection too: http://www.lovetinydevotions.com
J. Bluboho Jewlery
CORE COMMITMENTS: “Bluboho was born while two friends sat by the lake, united by a deep love for jewelry and a passion for travel, human connection and life. blu represents the sea, sky and unlimited possibility. boho is short for bohemian, and speaks to a free-spirited lifestyle with a lust for life and adventure. Cheryl and Maggie work hard to develop relationships with incredible artisans in order to curate a mix of quality, unique, handcrafted pieces that are truly one of a kind.
WHY WE LOVE: One of my very favorite shops in the Greater Toronto Area, Bluboho has two locations, one in Toronto and the other outside the city in Oakville. “Jewelry is such a special part of our lives. It is used to mark celebrations, perseverance, commitments and everything in between. These are the moments that bluboho is centered around”. You feel this in their collections which make for great gifts…I shopped here for my bridesmaids :) Bluboho jewelry is also light and versatile and can be worn seamlessly from class to a dinner date!
HOW TO FIND:http://www.bluboho.com
*I also can’t live without a “Sunspots on a Photograph” Candle by Poetic License (Sandalwood, Jasmine & Orange Blossom in the prettiest package) & “Neroli Oil” facial hydrating mist by Kerstin Florian. See last months blog “Core Essentials – Spa Favorites” for more details on where to find these great products!