Zen Squirrel Blog
Yogo Mat Review #2 (after the trip)
The Yogo Ultralight Mat couldn't have been more perfect for my trip to Nepal. It took me from my hotel balcony, to a rooftop class (that I ended up teaching), to a mountaintop at sunrise. When you set out on this type of adventure, compact portability is a must. I was not willing to compromise my daily yoga practice. I was relieved to find the Yogo Ultralight Mat. It has more features than I thought possible. Here I'll list the things that I loved about the mat.
- It fits neatly inside my bag, or clips conveniently to the outside of my backpack.
- The practice space is always clean because it folds in on itself.
- It is sticky, I don't slide on it, and it does not slide on the floor.
- It is very lightweight.
- It washes easily in the shower, and can drip dry by hanging from it's own straps.
The list of cons is short, but worth mentioning.
- It's slightly smaller than the average mat. If you are a small yogi, you'll appreciate it, as this cuts down on weight and makes a compact fold. The Ultra is available for those who require more space.
- It is thin and doesn't offer much cushion (duh, it's a travel mat). I did find myself placing my clean yogo mat on top of a studio mat that didn't appear sanitary. Score - clean and cushioned!
Honestly, I'm looking for more ways to use this mat. It would make a great Christmas Gift for the yogi on your list. Here's a link to the company's website (or order it on amazon.com if you've got amazon prime). It'd be great during a picnic, hike or run. It can easily attach to several places on my bicycle, backpack, gym bag, suitcase, below a child's stroller, or in a desk. Many happy hours of practice await me and my Yogo Ultralight Mat. Happy practicing!
Namaste - Beth
Washes easily in the shower and hangs to dry from it's own built in straps.
Even attaches to my bicycle!
Yogo Mat Review - A Different Travel Mat
I'm about to head to Nepal for more than 2 weeks with nothing more than the things I can carry on my back, not to total more than 15.4 pounds (plus a purse - plane restrictions) - Yikes! Although Mr.M8 was super supportive and tried to assure me that I could find adequate yoga and mat purchasing in the birthplace of the Buddha, I became completely obsessed with finding a mat that could be easily carried on my back without taking up too much of my precious weight limit.
After tireless research of all of the big name companies, I still wasn't happy. Luckily, I'm injury free, so I didn't really care about extra cushion. I'm only 5'6 with a small to medium frame, so I didn't need a giant space. I just wanted a light weight, compact, easily portable yoga mat to use while backpacking around a small asian country. You'd think they'd be a dime a dozen, but none of the big companies stood out from the rest of the pack.
I'm a huge fan of amazon.com, and they didn't let me down this time. I found the Yogo Mat with a handful of positive reviews, great features, and it seemed to be just what I was looking for. Check out their ad below.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOBgV3oZ970&w=854&h=480]
These people understand what I want. Lightweight, small, clean, foldable, eco friendly, sticky, and I can attach it to my purse or backpack with it's integrated straps. Finally, someone seems to understand my needs! When my mat arrived, it was everything that I wanted. It is a little smaller than my normal mat, but there is a larger size available if that's what you need. For me, the original mat was unbeatable!
I'll let you know how this works when I'm done practicing yoga in the Himalayas!
Namaste - Beth
Dealing with the Unexpected
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured”
The unexpected isn't always avoidable, but a regular yoga practice will help you deal with it. You'll become less reactionary, connect with yourself, and live in the present moment. This can result in an improved experience for yourself, and those around you.
While traveling earlier this month, our first flight was delayed and we missed our connecting flight. The seasoned airline employee was less than sympathetic to put it mildly. The 6 travelers who missed the flight were assigned alternate travel arrangements. Arriving at the gate just 2 minutes earlier would have saved us 2.5 hours, and we were all feeling unhappy about our situation. A few simple questions can demonstrate how to handle the situation yogically.
Question #1 - Can this be cured?
Answer #1 - Nope, the attendant at the gate did not have the authority to open the door and let us take the flight.
Question #2 - How can this be endured?
Answer #2 - A meal did wonders for our moods. We found our new gate, then my husband and son played a game while I set out to explore the airport.
I was delighted to discover an airport yoga studio. It was a simple space, decorated with plants and silhouettes of yoga poses. It was located just off a quiet hallway between terminals. There were yoga videos to stream, mats to borrow, a privacy screen, and a logbook to sign. Airport yoga studios have been reported at San Francisco International Airport, Burlington International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Albuquerque International Sunport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. I highly recommend using these spaces while you are traveling. It can make a flight much more enjoyable, and healthier too! If you have experienced others, please comment in the section following this post.
Upon completion of our final flight, we were once again delayed, and folks around me were frantically attempting to position themselves to quickly exit the airplane. My family and I were waiting for them to pass, and you could feel the nervous tension building in the air. Imagine my surprise when a woman across the aisle suggested that we chant Om as a remedy to the situation. Instead of participating in the anxiety, I was able to have a very nice conversation with this California Yogi while we allowed others to go first. The things that I would have missed by getting caught up in the nervous tension. Talk about finding a way to endure!
In yoga, we practice maintaining our breath and focus in difficult situations and poses. We practice turning inward instead of comparing ourselves to others. This helps teach us to deal with our daily lives, and acts as a shock absorber for the little bumps that come along the way. It leads to a lower stress, more enjoyable life experience.
Next time you're dealing with the unexpected, ask can this be cured, and how can this be endured?
Namaste - Beth