Say you want to start practicing yoga but you’re concerned that you might not be able to keep up or perform the poses correctly. Well, there’s a pretty easy solution to that. Get yourself a beginner’s guide to yoga.
It can be a little intimidating trying a new yoga class, especially if you think everyone but you knows what they are doing. For the record, that’s not always Continue reading
The first few times I practiced yoga, I was at home using my own yoga mat. I felt like I could use a little guidance, so I thought taking a class might be a good idea. I found an online deal that offered me a bunch of classes locally for cheap, and went to my first class. I brought my mat with me, but when I got home I realized cleaning it after every class was going to be more hassle than I wanted to deal with. I had the idea that if I had a towel instead of a mat I could just wash it with my laundry, hassle free. So I bought myself a YogaRat towel.
I did a bunch of shopping before I picked the YogaRat. There really are a lot of yoga towels out there to choose from. I ended up liking Continue reading
As I mentioned in part 1 of my review of Mandy Ingber’s “Yogalosophy 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover”, not only is this book a complete workout guide, it also encourages a positive way of thinking and being.
In part 2 of my review, I’ll focus more on the philosophical perspectives of Ingber’s Yogalosophy. I feel that the mindfulness aspects Continue reading
Wow. We do similar moves with our kitties, but seeing such an enormous and majestic animal so relaxed is truly amazing. It’s like horse yoga!
After having recently completed Richard Hittleman’s Yoga 28 day plan, I thought it would be good to compliment it with a more contemporary program. So I’m giving Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy 28 Day Mind-Body Makeover a try.
Like the Hittleman plan, Ingber’s program is more than just a 28 day exercise guide. It’s a way of Continue reading
The cost of yoga mats can vary quite a bit. The price is usually related to the materials, the quality of craftsmanship, and country of manufacture. But there are a number of inexpensive yoga mats out there that just might suit your needs.
Our guide below allows you to compare the features of some of the most popular affordable mats out there. Beneath the guide you’ll find in-depth descriptions and additional photos of the best sellers. Click on any column header to sort the table, for example by cost, thickness, or material:
| Mat | Size | Cost | Weight | Colors | Material | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sivan NBR Yoga Mat | 1/2" thick 72"x24" | $19.99 | 1.8 pounds | 7 options | Foam. | 4.5 |
ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat With Carrying Straps | 1/2" thick 71"x24" | $18.99 | 2.5 pounds | 8 options | Foam. | 4.3 |
ProSource Premium 1/4-Inch Yoga Mat With Carrying Straps | 1/4" thick 68"x24" | $16.99 | 3.0 pounds | 7 options | Foam. | 4.2 |
Spoga High Density Yoga Mat with Carrying Straps | 1/2" thick 71"x24" | $19.99 | 2.1 pounds | 6 options | Foam. | 4.4 |
YogaAccessories 1/4" Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 74"x24" | $17.99 | 3.3 pounds | 26 options | Unknown material. Phthalate free inks and dyes. Free of latex and heavy metals. | 4.2 |
Yes4All 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat w/ Carry Strap | 1/2" thick 68"x24" | $20.05 | 2.2 pounds | Black, blue, green or purple | Foam. | 4.2 |
Yoga Monster Mat by Bean Products | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $24.95 | 3.5 pounds | 18 options | PER. Free of toxic phthalates, dioxins and furans, phenal, or heavy metals. SGS approved. | 3.8 |
Gaiam Solid Yoga Mats (3mm) | 1/8" thick 68"x24" | $19.99 | 2.0 pounds | 8 options | PVC. Free of phthalates and other toxins. | 4.0 |
Bixle 1/2" Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap | 1/2" thick 72"x24" | $22.95 | 2.3 pounds | 7 options | Foam. | 4.3 |
YogaHola Super Soft Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat w/ Carry Cord | 1/8" thick 70"x24" | $13.95 | 2.5 pounds | 5 options | Foam. | 3.6 |
Da Vinci Yoga Mat with Carry Strap, 1/4" Inch | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $18.99 | 2.8 pounds | 12 options | PVC. Free of phthalates. | 4.0 |
Da Vinci 2-Tone Yoga Mat with Carry Strap | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $16.99 | 3.0 pounds | 8 different 2-tone options | PVC. Free of phthalates. | 4.0 |
Milliard 1/4" Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $17.21 | NA | 10 options | Unknown material. | 4.3 |
Valeo Yoga Mat Blue | less than 1/4" thick 68"x24" | $12.50 | 1.9 pounds | Blue | Unknown | 3.0 |
YogaDirect 1/4" Sticky Yoga Mat | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $23.27 | NA | 12 options | PVC | 4.2 |
BalanceFrom GoYoga Mat with Carrying Strap | 1/4" thick 72"x24" | $24.95 | 2.5 pounds | 9 options | Unknown. PVC free, phthalates free, latex free. | 4.1 |
The 7 columns in the guide are:
One popular brand of inexpensive yoga mats is YogaAccessories. The average price for a YogaAccessories mat is about $20, depending upon color. They have over 20 colors to choose from.
Even though they’re inexpensive yoga mats, they boast some appealing Continue reading
***BIG NEWS: Richard Hittleman’s classic TV series “Yoga For Health” Has been released on DVD! Check it out at www.richardhittleman.com ***
In part one of my review of Richard Hittleman’s Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan, I covered the first two weeks of the plan. I gave an overview of how the book’s daily routines are presented. For part two, I’ll go over how Hittleman ramps it up a notch. I’ll also sum up a few of his “thoughts for the day”, which are his daily discussions on the many ways Hatha Yoga can benefit the mind and body.
Regarding the exercise portion of the plan, Hittleman takes it up a level for the remaining two weeks. Day 15 starts off with these words, “Today marks the beginning Continue reading
***BIG NEWS: Richard Hittleman’s classic TV series “Yoga For Health” Has been released on DVD! Check it out at www.richardhittleman.com ***
Today I reached the halfway point of Richard Hittleman’s Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan. 14 days down, 14 more to go. This book is from the yoga pioneer who brought Hatha Yoga to the masses via TV in the 1960s and 1970s. I’m using the original hardcover version (shown in these pictures), but a newer paperback version is also available. 
As she mentioned in her review of Richard Hittleman’s Yoga for Health, Hittleman’s televised programs were how my mom, Lee, began to practice yoga in the first place. She’s our resident expert here at HathaYoga.com, and she still refers Continue reading
Although there are many benefits to practicing yoga at a studio, I mostly practice yoga at home. I prefer it to studios or gyms for many reasons: I can practice it on my own my own schedule, I don’t have to worry about getting ready, there is no time spent on transportation to or from, no worry about parking or transportation costs, no membership or drop-in fees, I can control the climate, and I don’t have to worry about germs or other people’s body odor (sorry to be so blunt!). And if those reasons were not enough, I can decide exactly what yoga routine I’d like to do based on my needs at the time.
One yoga hybrid DVD I really like and have been practicing regularly is Yogalosophy with instructor Mandy Ingber.
Inbger is known for her A-list of celebrity clients including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Lawrence, Ricki Lake, and Brooke Shields. I’m not necessarily impressed by celebrities, but since these people have a world of resources to choose from, Continue reading
I have a lower back injury that creeps up on me now and then. That’s actually one of the reasons I started to practice yoga more seriously. So, I have a particular interest in yoga for back pain relief and core strengthening.
When I began focusing on yoga for back pain specifically, I found some YouTube videos to get me started. One short practice I liked was Esther Ekhart’s “Hatha Yoga Routine for Lower Back”:
It’s about nine minutes long and is low impact, instructed with live cuing (as opposed to voiceover). The instructor explains Continue reading