Yoga Pant Round-Up

A selection of oh-so-fab yoga pants. Most of these can be found at local studios, but more colors and sizes are available online. Happy shopping.(1) Classic Be Present Mobility Pant (my personal fav!), (2) Be Present Versatility Pant (the side vents snap closed), (3) Stonewear Designs Meridian Pant, (4) Foat Slit-Back Pant (great local company), (5) Prana Gaucho Capri, (6) Karma Base Pant, (7) Lucy Grace Crop, (8) Athleta Chaturanga Pant (I am buying these)

Neti those allergies away

Around my workplace cold season is still in full swing. And if this ridiculous April snow ever melts, allergies are about to make an appearance. That means lot of stuffy noses and sinus headaches. The science of Ayurveda has an answer…the neti pot!

Old school yogis used a neti pot for daily general hygiene and to balance their kapha dosha. Western medicine has begun to see the wisdom in this practice and now ENT docs and allergists recommend them to their patients. A neti pot even made an appearance on the Oprah show!

Neti pots literally clean out your sinuses. It is a mechanical solution that in many cases is more effective than medication. By pouring water through your nasal passages, you clean out allergens and mucus. Here's how they work:

Once you've filled your pot with slightly salted water, you tip your head to the side, remember to breath through your mouth, and pour the neti pot into your nostril. Repeat on the other side and then blow your nose. At first it feels like you just jumped into a pool without holding your breath, but after a while it is as easy as brushing your teeth. Neti pots are available online, at many yoga studios, and carried by many local co-ops and natural food stores.

Great props - Hugger Mugger

I'm not afraid to say it: local yoga studio, TarNa, has great props. They are all made by Hugger Mugger and are by far the nicest props I've encountered. All are available online.

Use these sandbags on your thighs or across your shoulders to deepen Supta Baddha Konasana.



Hugger Mugger bolsters are a really nice shape. They are rounded on the sides, but flat on the top and bottom. And they are perfectly firm. These are great for a variety of restorative poses or under your knees during corpse pose.


These cork blocks are awesome. They are really sturdy, but not too heavy. And the cork texture feels really nice in your hands. You will definitely master half moon with the help of these blocks.

Necklaces (they're pretty)

I am a sucker for a cute necklace. Here's a roundup of some pretty yoga-inspired ones for you to check out. All are made by independent designers and available on Etsy.

(1) Mama Om hand-hammered pendant by panicmama

(2) Makamoe - Oxidized Thai Karen silver lotus charm necklace by KahiliCreations

(3) Namaste by plainvanilla

(4) Yoga Karma Lotus Necklace 18K Vermeil and 14K GFchain by kiskastyle

(5) Gold Ohm by murmur

(6) Yoga Charm by amieking

Yoga Mats

A yoga mat is like your home away from home. It is YOUR space - a sanctuary that you can bring with you wherever you go. There are many different options when it comes to a good mat. It’s more than just choosing a cute color. You need to think about your desired weight, length, stickiness, and if you want it to be kind to the earth. It’s a big decision! So here’s a round-up of some mat options. Let me know your favorites:

Manduka Black Mat: the ultimate yoga mat. It gives you a firm foundation and provides all the cushioning you need for your practice. It is super heavy so you might want to consider this for your home practice. Also, it is a little pricey, but deals can be found on Amazon.

Manduka Eko Mat: from the makers of the famous Black Mat, an eco-friendly alternative.



Prana E.C.O Stickey Mat: an eco-friendly mat with a textured surface and natural anti-slip properties.



Barefoot Yoga Sticky Mat: a classic non-slip surface for your practice. It is lightweight and durable and can be rolled or folded for use in poses.


Plank Yoga Mats: a truly a unique (and eco-friendly) mat option. Choose from Snake in the Grass, Pills Broken on a Bathroom Floor, Plank (like a piece of wood), or Hand Prints in Shag Rug.


Leopard-Print Yoga Mat: really. Leopard print!. An ode to Catherine. For that unique someone special in your life.


Gaiam Earth Meets Sky Yoga Mat: it's just cute. I am a big fan of baby blue and chocolate brown!




Hugger Mugger Earth Elements Mat: one of the first earth friendly mats on the market. They are not made with yucky chemicals and they have the same anti-slip properties as the original Hugger Mugger mats.


Hugger Mugger Cotton Yoga Mat: a great choice for restorative yoga.


Eco Yoga Mats: made of jute and natural rubber, both renewable resources. Plus, the materials are fairly traded.

Leg warmers ... and they're local!

It's a little late in the year to make this recommendation, but one of the best yoga clothing products around are Foat leg-warmers. These are a must have for traveling to and from class on a cold winter night. They keep your legs toasty and look cute too. Plus, the company is local, woman owned, and earth friendly! You can buy the leg-warmers on their website or at many of the bigger studios around town. I've worn mine for two winters now and would not know what to do without them.

Cute yoga clothes!

Here's a list of the yoga clothes I like best. I do consider myself a bit of a connoisseur!

Be Present pants - these are the only option when you are doing hot yoga. They are thin, cute, amazingly bendable, and can take a seriously sweaty workout. They get my seal of approval. Now if they would only offer them again in kelly green so I can stop being jealous of Catherine's! They sell these pants at the Yoga Center, Yoga House, CorePower, and online.


Stonewear Designs tops - these tops are made of a stretchy cotton so they don't feel all polyester-nasty like a lot of exercise-wear out there today. Also, they are a little wider at the bottom so they don't roll up when you are in reverse warrior. I buy these tops online.


Yoga Tribe and Culture tanks - these are super duper cute. They have witty, yet wise sayings like: "Change Your Karma." They are a little spendy, but you will get your money's worth because they will become your absolute fav! You can get these tops at CorePower or Yoga Center.

Lounge / active wear from Lucy - while not the most technical of yoga clothes on the planet, Lucy is a great source for basics like slouchy sweats or hoodies. They have a store in the Galleria and are opening another at Rosedale. Apparently there are great discounts to be had if you get on their mailing list.

YogiToes - these are not "clothes" exactly, but I could not do my yoga without them. YogiToes are super absorbent towels, cut to the size of a standard yoga mat, with sticky dots on the bottom. They are must when practicing hot yoga (placed over your regular mat) and they are great for traveling - used alone or over a rented mat. You can buy these at CorePower, sporting goods stores, or online.