If you read my Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers post, be prepared for a similar level of commitment to a specific niche in this one. lol
These are all products I have personally used and loved or am lusting after, and I have recommended several of them to others who have loved the impact in their yoga practice as well.
I fell in love with yoga about 10 years ago. I was a total amateur, but I dreamed of practicing more seriously and even of becoming a yoga teacher. Today, I have completed yoga training and have my own dedicated practice – – although I still consider myself a yogi (there is so much to learn!).
It doesnʻt matter whether someone is a dedicated yogi or a total beginner, each of these items are appropriate for anyone.
As always – if you can find what you need locally, I always encourage that! If you are more limited like we are in Hawaiʻi, I hope these links will help you too. **Reminder that links may be affiliate link, sometimes providing me with a small commission if you purchase something through the link.
1. Cork Yoga Block & Yoga Strap Set – something that I began to understand in yoga training is that using props can actually help you to SINK DEEPER into a pose. There are so many ways to use blocks and straps – whether offering your body more support for stabilization and stillness or assisting it to extend and stretch (GENTLY!). Iʻll share some tips for how I like to use blocks on Instagram – – so be sure to follow me at @Uluwehilifestyles there! Also – these are CORK block, which are more sustainable (meaning more likely to decompose at end of life & less toxins) than other blocks. They are also heavier and (to me) more stable.
2. Yoga Deck – this deck offers an illustration and description of a single pose on each card. Itʻs a great way to learn the names and positioning of individual poses, and you can even use them to help you plan out your own asana flow. This is the one item that may be best given to someone who is at more of a beginner yogi level.
3. Yoga Blanket – you can never have enough yoga blankets! Unfortunately, I currently have only ONE, because due to their weight (yoga blankets should weigh 5+ pounds) shipping costs to Hawaiʻi are ridiculous. The weight offers enough bulk to use for support. It is recommended to sit on the edge of a blanket for every seated pose to tilt the pelvis forward and help the hips to release. Blankets are also used to support the neck and limbs in prone poses, and they are fabulous as comforting full body covers during Shavasana or Yoga Nidra.
4. Rubber Travel Yoga Mat – I searched high and low for a naturally-made, toxin-free yoga mat. This rubber mat is one that other yogis alway comment on and ask where I found it! It is light-weight (only 2 pounds!) and actually folds, which maintains itʻs shape better than rolling. It also has great grip, which is great for someone like me who sweats a lot during workouts. And – this might be weird – I love the smell of the rubber, especially compared to other mats Iʻve used! The other sustainable mat option I would recommend would be a Yoga Rug, like these beautiful herb-infused mats that I drool over…
5. Yoga Wheel – a yoga wheel is on my wish list! BUT – I really would prefer to have one made with sustainable materials (wood & cork). This is currently the closest option to that available on Amazon, and it has great reviews. Yoga wheels can help provide support in basic backbends (we all need more spinal flexion!), or more advanced yogis can use it to challenge themselves to access more balance.
6. Yoga of the Subtle Body Book – anyone who loves yoga likely also reads about yoga. Whether itʻs the Yoga Sutras or a book on Yoga Anatomy – there is never a shortage of more to learn! This book is still my absolute favorite book to understand why Yoga is so impactful. It is beautifully written AND beautifully narrated if you prefer the audiobook. I learned so much just about the connected structure of my body that I still reference back to frequently.
7. Yoga Bolster – I bought my bolster immediately after one of my teachers told us that she healed a back injury with just a few days of restorative poses with her bolster. This yoga prop is definitely not just for injuries though! Again, it provides an opportunity to sink deeper into the pose. If you have ever attended a Restorative Yoga class – – you know exactly what I am talking about. And in todayʻs environment, more and more people ARE taking online yoga classes from home. So your yogi friend would love this gift! Multiple colors are available.
8. Inversion Bench – while I am a yogi and have completed yoga teacher training – – I still SUCK at being upside down. I wonʻt do any full inversions both due to fear and actual lack of skill (but itʻs still a goal!), and that is actually quite common. This bench can provide enough support to get someone past their initial fear, OR it can help those who already do invert to continue to develop their skills and embrace more challenging poses. This is a more specific gift, but I wanted to include it – just in case!
From the above ideas, the Yoga Card Deck, the book, and the blanket are probably “smaller” items that you could combine together or with any of the other gifts. Other add-ons could include a water bottle (I love my glass Lifefactory bottle!), a workout towel, a tote, or an eye-pillow.
I am curious! What is your favorite thing (or NOT favorite thing) about Yoga?
Happy shopping!
xo,
Danielle