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The Best Yoga Mat: 5 Mats For Every Yogi

Choosing a yoga mat is kind of like choosing a dog.  You need to ask the same questions: How much do you travel?  How much space do you have?  How much are you willing to spend?  The perfect yoga mat is the one that is best suited to your needs.  There is no “one” yoga mat that is perfect for every person, in every way.  Fortunately for you, this isn’t 1970, when you had more or less one choice for material: PVC.  This is 2014, and you could spend the whole year researching the endless varieties of yoga mats that are now available.  The important thing is to choose a mat and use it.   The following guide will help you pick the perfect mat, whether you bike twenty miles to class or practice in the basement (if you’re in the latter category, feel right at home with this weekend at-home yoga retreat).

A Brief Overview

Let’s take a quick look at the factors that will ultimately help you make a decision.

• Material:  Like I mentioned, the all-PVC mat, while still popular, is starting to become a thing of the past.  Newer materials exist, ranging from cotton to recycled materials, with a strong emphasis on eco-friendliness (note: avoid natural rubber if you’re allergic to latex).
• Stickiness:  For the most part, material determines stickiness.  Obviously, a sticky mat helps you hold your pose.  The reason PVC still survives is because it’s arguably the stickiest.  But there are, of course, other options.
• Thickness:  Thickness is all about comfort.  If it’s too thin, you’re really going to feel some of those positions.  But if it’s too thick, you could find yourself flailing for balance.  Yoga mats usually range from 1/16” to ¼” thick.  A 1/16” mat would probably fit in your briefcase, while a ¼” mat is best staying at home.
• Texture:  i.e. traction.  From slick to sandpaper, you can find any texture you desire.  PVC, while sticky, is very smooth; conversely, rubber and cotton tend to be rougher, but as mentioned before, less smooth.  In other words, if you like getting your traction from stickiness, PVC is the way to go; if you prefer to grip a raised surface, do yourself (and the world) a favor and go eco-friendly.

Spice up your mat routine with what is hands-down the best thera ball workout ever.

Best Beginner’s Mat

Let’s just get this out of the way.  The best beginner’s mat, for the person who wants to dabble in everything, is the Hugger Mugger Original Tapas Mat.  It is, truly, an average mat, but sometimes that’s the perfect choice.  At only $30, you don’t have to make a serious investment to get into yoga.  It has an average thickness of 1/8”, weights about 2.5lbs (light enough to travel with), and is made of traditional, latex-free PVC.  The only negative is its lack of eco-friendliness, which can feel a bit hypocritical when you’re shooting for self-improvement.

Best Traveler’s Mat

Whether you have a long trek to class or like to do yoga in your hotel on business trips, the best traveler’s mat is the Lululemon Un Mat.  It’s perfect in just about every way.  To begin with, it’s made of natural rubber, so check eco-friendly off the list and let’s keep rolling.  It measures a mere 1.5mm thick and weighs in at one pound—one!  It’ll be like a pencil in your ear; you’ll forget it’s even there.  And at $48, this is hands-down the best value.  You can find cheaper mats, but they’ll likely weigh more and feature PVC construction.

Best For Sweat

Blame it on the Bikram, but anyone who sweats a lot or loves power yoga needs to check out the Barefoot Eco Mat.  Rated $1 by The New York Times, the Eco Mat is, of course, incredibly eco-friendly, featuring natural rubber and jute fiber construction with no chemicals added.  Add to that the fact that the Eco Mat is sleepy soft, with a unique texture that refuses to slip on skin or flooring.  At 4.5lbs and $85, it is on the heavy and expensive side, but it lasts forever and you get what you pay for (and it’s definitely cheaper than an injury).
If you love to sweat, you’ll love this total hot-body yoga fitness workout.

Best for Home Practice (And Heavy Duty Use)

I recently read an article on NFL players readily adopting yoga, to help avoid injury and encourage durability.  Needless to say, if you’re a big-boned professional or just like to practice in absolute home-comfort, 1/8” isn’t going to cut it, let alone 1/16”.  Meet the Manduka Mat Pro.  This thing is a beast.  The 71” version weighs in at 7 lbs, while the 85” breaks the scales at 9 lbs!  This thing would break you back if you try to go anywhere with it, but it will save your knees and elbows for years to come.  For $100, you get a full ¼” of protection with a lifetime guarantee.  That’s right, a lifetime guarantee.  I don’t know how something that lasts so long is also eco-friendly, but it’s true.  The Mandura Mat Pro is manufactured in a zero-waste, emission free process.  And it just happens to be latex-free, too.

Best All-Around (On The Elite Side of the Scale)

The Jade (Key Lime) Yoga Mat is one of the best all-around mats on the market.  At 3/16” thick, it’s the amalgamation of comfort, durability and lightness (4 lbs).  At $75, it sits squarely in the price range of an intermediate to pro-level mat.  And yes, the Jade Yoga Mat is made of natural rubber, with one of the best slip-resistant surfaces on the market.  Plus, they plant a tree for every mat you buy, and that never hurts your Karma.
Like I said before, the important thing is to decide on a mat and actually practice yoga.  Whatever your style or needs, there’s a mat out there for everyone.  And if you’re just getting started, you should feel the same way about yoga.  It’s not a competition.  There is yoga and meditation for everyone.

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10 Yoga Poses for Weight Loss: 5 Basic Poses and 5 Poses for Weight Loss

Yoga is an excellent technique to relax the body and raise flexibility. It’s also great for toning muscles, and increasing strength and balance. If you’re looking for some beginner information about yoga for weight loss, this blog will give you five basic positions and five positions for weight loss. Beginners of yoga should use a yoga mat or carpeted area for their poses. Also, remember to breathe.

Learn Yoga for Beginners

Five Basic Positions

1. The Mountain Pose

Stand with feet slightly apart, shoulders relaxed and your arms at your side. Breathe in and lift your arms up and over your head. Your palms should be facing each other, and your arms should be straight. Reach up toward the sky with your fingertips. Exhale as you lower your arms to your sides once more. Your movements should be fluid and easy. Don’t overextend yourself, or you’ll hurt your muscles. This move is great as a warm-up to stretch your muscles.

2. The Child’s Pose

Sit back on your heels with your shins to the floor. Draw your chest forward and rest your forehead on the mat or carpet before you. Lower yourself as close to your knees as you can, and extend your arms out in front of you. Inhale and exhale as you hold this pose. Like the pose above, this is a great warm-up, or you can use it as a cool-down after your workout.

3. The Downward Dog Pose

You start in this position on all fours, hands directly beneath your shoulders and knees directly under your hips. Move your hands forward a few inches and spread your fingers apart. Press your palms into the mat or carpet, and bring your hips upward into an upside down V position. Your knees should be slightly bent to avoid locking them and cutting off circulation. Hold this position as you inhale and exhale three times.

Learn Yoga for Weight Loss

4. The Cobra Pose

You will begin this pose by lying facedown on the ground with your thumbs beneath your shoulders and the tops of your feet against the floor. Pushing your hands into the floor, lift your chest off of the floor so your back is curved. Remember, don’t push yourself too hard. Return to the floor, and repeat the position.

5. The Warrior I Pose

You will begin this pose by standing with your arms at your sides, like the mountain pose. Step forward with your left foot so your feet are about three to four feet apart. Turn your left foot inward slightly and your right foot ninety degrees. Bend your left knee ninety degrees, and straighten your right leg, and raise your arms up over your head. Hold this pose for one minute, or as long as you can manage, then switch sides and repeat.

Learn Yoga for the Workplace

Five Weight Loss Positions

1. The Warrior II Pose (Works the abs, hips, and thighs)

This move is similar to the Warrior I pose. Like the Warrior I pose, you will begin by standing with your arms at your sides. You will step forward with your left foot, again separating your feet by about three or four feet. You will turn your left foot slightly inward and your right foot ninety degrees. Bend your left knee ninety degrees, and straighten your right leg. This time, instead of raising your arms up over your head, you will spread your left arm parallel to your left leg, and your right arm will be parallel to the floor and above your right leg. Looking out over your left arm, you will hold this pose for one minute, switch sides, and repeat.

2. The Tree Pose (Works the sides of the abs)

In this pose, you will begin by standing with your arms at your sides. Place the bottom of your left foot in the side of your right thigh with your knee bent to the side. Lift your arms and press your hands palms together in front of your chest. Inhale and exhale two times then lift your arms above your head as you inhale a third time, palms still facing inward and fingers stretched toward the ceiling. Exhale then inhale and bend your torso to the left. Inhale, and straighten your toros. Repeat this move three to five times then switch sides. Please note that this move requires some balance so please be careful as you do this move.

3. The Rocking Boat Pose (Works the abs and back)

Sit on the mat or carpet with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Your hands should be on your thighs with your torso and head straight. Lean back 45 degrees, and lift your legs so your feet point up toward the ceiling about 45 degrees off the ground making a V shape with your body. Extend your arms so they’re parallel to the floor. Repeat three to five times.

Learn Yoga for Neck and Back Care

4. The Bow Pose (Works the arms, legs, and abs)

Lie on your stomach on the mat or carpet. Bend your knees and bring your feet toward your head. Reach around with your arms, and grasp your ankles. Lift your shoulders from the floor as you pull on your ankles. Hold as you breath in and out then release.

5. The Side-Stretch Pose (Works the abs, arms, and legs)

Stand and separate your feet a little wider than your hips. Turn your chest and your feet to the right, and bend forward. Keep your legs straight as you bend over your right leg until your chest is parallel to the ground. Reach toward the floor with your hands, bending down more each time you exhale. Repeat the move toward the left.

Things to Remember

Although yoga doesn’t seem as hard of a workout as walking or running, you still have to remember to stay hydrated and breathe. Also, if you’re more of a visual learner, you might want to consider taking a yoga class.

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What Compression Clothing Can and Cannot Do for You

by Harry Shane

Anyone who is into running would certainly do anything in their power to have the ability to run faster and have the advantage on the track. Anyone who is into basketball would also definitely do anything they could to jump higher and have the advantage inside the court. Well, if you are familiar with compression clothing, you probably realize that these are the things manufacturers promise athletes who buy their products. But, the question is, can compression tights really help you jump higher and can compression clothes really help you run faster?
First, let's take a look at the claims of manufacturers regarding their products. If you observe ads about compression clothing today, you will notice phrases like "explosive power," "long-term endurance," and "increased stamina." According to manufacturers of compression gear, wearing compression shirts and tights can deliver graduated pressure on areas of your body where you wear them and improve circulation on that area, resulting to improved muscle performance.
While there is a degree of truth in these claims, wearing compression clothing won't actually make you run faster as soon as you wear them. This can be proven by several studies done to test the efficiency of compression clothing. In a study done in Australia, a dozen volunteers were asked to run on treadmills wearing compression tights. Unsurprisingly, wearing compression tights did little to improve the endurance of the volunteers and neither of the runners were able to run further and at higher speeds.
A similar test was done at a university in India where more than twenty volunteers were divided into three groups. Each of the group was given a different type of compression shorts, but after the test, the researchers didn't find any benefit of wearing compression shorts in terms of the athletes' ability to jump. Again, no direct benefit of wearing compression gear found on this test.
One particular test, however, discovered something that the two previous tests did not. This particular study was done by researchers in New Zealand. In the study, cyclists were told to ride 40-kilometer time trials for two days. They did the test twice giving the volunteers a week to rest in between tests. The result was encouraging - the riders who wore compression tights went up to 1.2 percent faster on the second-day trials than those who didn't wear them. The conclusion was that wearing compression tights allowed greater recovery. According to the researchers, wearing compression tights helped increase blood flow, resulting to faster recovery and refueling for the muscles of the riders who wore them.
Should you wear compression clothing then because of this encouraging news? It depends. If you're thinking of buying expensive sets of compression gear for your weekly basketball or running schedule, you would rather stick to low-priced compression gear. You can check out Slashsport website for a collection of cheap, yet high-quality compression clothing.
If you're joining the Olympics or some big competition, though, and need the benefit of recovery, then you should definitely go for expensive compression gear. Good luck!

How to Become More Flexible:

Establishing a Stretching Routine to Become More Supple

Do you wish that you could be more flexible? Many people regret losing the natural flexibility that they enjoyed as children, but you do not have to simply accept your body stiffening up as you get older. Follow these simple tips to improve your flexibility safely and steadily.

Stretch Everyday

Flexibility is not something that can be developed overnight. It takes time and patience to persuade your muscles to relax and your ligaments to lengthen. The best way to gradually develop flexibility is to stretch every single day. Try to get into a routine, for example by setting aside ten minutes in the morning or evening to do your stretches.
Here are some stretches that you can use to improve the flexibility of various parts of your body.

1. Leg Stretches

Many people struggle with tightness in their hamstrings, the ligaments in the backs of the legs that give support to the powerful thigh muscles. To loosen the hamstrings, try the following.
1. Sit on the floor with your legs out straight in front of you. Flex your ankles so your toes point at the ceiling.
2. Breathe in and straighten your spine upwards as much as possible.
3. Bend forward from the hips, keeping your back straight. Aim to take your heart forwards toward your toes.
4. If you can reach your toes, take hold of them with your hands.
5. If you can’t reach your toes, either hold your ankles or hold onto a belt that you hook around your feet.
6. Hold the stretch for at least five breaths.

Another useful stretch for the legs is to stand up and place your feet wide apart. Bend forward from the hips as in the exercise described above, keeping the legs straight and engaging the thigh muscles to support the legs and allow the hamstrings to release. Place your hands on the ground and gradually walk them back between your legs, as far as you can go. Hold for a few minutes before bending the knees slightly and standing up.

2. Back Stretches

Back stretches should always be carried out with extreme caution to avoid injury. Never push yourself beyond what you can comfortably achieve. In most back stretches, the neck should be kept in line with the spine – do not be tempted to stretch the neck at an awkward angle to make the stretch feel deeper.
Start with this simple spinal twist: 
1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
2. Bend the right knee and place the foot flat on the floor to the left of your left knee.
3. Inhale deeply and sit up tall with a straight spine.
4. Turn your torso to the right, gently twisting the spine from the hips to the shoulders.
5. Place your right hand behind you on the floor to stabilize you, and press the back of your left elbow against your right knee to accentuate the twist.
6. Hold the twist for at least five breaths, then repeat on the other side.

Spinal Twist

If you struggle with poor flexibility or even pain in your back, this online course on preventing back pain could help to strengthen the back and core muscles, allowing you to twist safely and without pain.

Get Hooked on Yoga

If you are serious about improving your flexibility, practicing yoga could help you to achieve this goal. Yoga is an exercise for the whole body and works on improving both strength and flexibility.

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De-stress, de-wrinkle and exfoliate the floatation way

Cleopatra, Emperor Nero’s second wife Poppaea Sabina and even Napoleon’s sister Pauline Bonaparte enjoyed bathing in sour donkey’s milk, but for us mere mortals a good long soak in 500 kg of Epsom Salts at Auckland’s new floatation centre would not only be a more pleasant experience, but likely more beneficial too.
Auckland’s new Float Culture centre has just opened in Mount Eden where you can float (as in the Dead Sea) in state-of-the-art Epsom salt water tranquillity pods, to help you rediscover your health, vigour and enthusiasm in complete peace and privacy.
Float Culture director, Anton Kuznetsov says the liberating weightlessness not only delivers deep mental relaxation and complete release from stress, but the mineral compound solution itself makes it popular with beauty therapists and their clients the world over.
“Floating in the Epsom salt solution allows magnesium and sulphate to be absorbed into your system, which of course helps with magnesium deficiencies but it also, as any beauty therapist will know, gently exfoliates the skin and is an increasingly natural choice for softening the skin and reducing the look of wrinkles.
“All those benefits aside, the biggest plus for many people is that the complete relaxation they get from floating weightless without light, noise or other sensory interference – clients describe the experience as warm, soothing and tranquil.”
In addition to beauty therapy applications, floatation is often sought out by athletes for recovery and injury rehabilitation, as well as artists, writes, other creatives and all sorts of everyday people looking for an easy way to meditate or relax free of distractions.
Popular since the 1960s, floatation went through a brief surge in popularity in the 1980s when the New York Post reported in 1981 that women seem to reap most beneficial rewards.
“Sessions in a tranquillity tank unknot forehead tension and relax tightened strings of the face. ‘I look and feel ten years younger,’ is not an uncommon comment. Plastic surgeons have always understood the aging factor of tension. When muscles behind the skin are in stress, they are reflected on the skins’ surface. When tensions are removed, the skin becomes as uncomplicated as a baby’s smooth visage.”
Fortunately floatation – whose popularity may have suffered for lack of access – is making a comeback, with some media reporting that the ‘weightless trend’ is on the rise, while medical researcher Professor Shaun Holt recently told the New Zealand Herald that there is a surprising amount of research behind floatation.
“There are no safety issues, I think there’s actually a lot of positive medical reasons to (float),” he said.

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Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism Cardio Circuit 2

Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism Cardio Circuit 2 pushes
your fat-burning potential with cardio exercises that will shred your
muscles and melt away those unwanted pounds.