I once had a physical therapist that said “All of us need to get stronger and more flexible, but how we do it is different for all of us.” I loved that! And I totally know that, for myself, I do need to get stronger and more flexible–we all do! I am not one who enjoys stretching every time after I exercise. I prefer the movement, so doing static stretches doesn’t motivate me like it does for others (my husband loves his post-workout stretching). I love how doing yoga works to build strength and flexibility at the same time.
Although yoga has been around for a long time, I didn’t discover it until I was in my late 20’s. I happened to have the opportunity to participate in an after school yoga class put on by one of the high school teachers in my community. I decided to give it a try and was hooked. I loved learning the poses and challenging myself. Over the years I have participated in classes in yoga studios, classes at my Church, and from my home with online teachers. My favorite opportunity was when I had a friend who became a yoga instructor and she needed to practice teaching. I was happy to be her test student! I have seen so many benefits of doing yoga including more strength and flexibility, better balance, and less anxiety and stress. And yoga helped me manage my mental health when I was in chemotherapy and radiation treatment for breast cancer. I couldn’t easily run or do hard workouts, but I could always do yoga!
One bonus of yoga is that it can be done with very little equipment. All I really need is a yoga mat. Other equipment is nice, but ultimately not necessary. I do love my yoga blocks, though. A strap is helpful, but I use a belt or towel in a pinch. I did learn that the quality of the yoga mat really makes a difference. When I first started yoga, I bought an inexpensive yoga mat at a big box store. It worked for me as a beginner. After a few years, though, I realized that I needed to invest in a quality yoga mat, mostly because my other mat became super slippery. I bought the Jade yoga Harmony mat and it has been perfect. It is made from natural rubber and has an excellent grip while still having a nice feel, cushion, and stability. Doing Down Dog is a breeze. I also love how the Jade yoga mat is eco-friendly because it isn’t made with plastics. They even plant a tree for every yoga mat sold! There are a few downsides to this mat, mostly due to its natural rubber construction: These mats are not for anyone with a latex allergy, they need to be wiped down regularly with a damp cloth only using water or with a special plant-based mat cleaner for a deeper clean, they have a strong rubber smell (for real!! But it helped to air it out in the garage for a few days), and they are on the heavier side. But, I found that the Jade yoga Harmony mat was worth it despite these small inconveniences.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- PREMIUM GRIP: Natural rubber construction provides superior traction and cushioning while maintaining stability for stan…
- DIMENSIONS: Mat measures 3/16 inches thick and 24 inches wide, available in 68-inch and 74-inch lengths, weighing approx…
- COLOR OPTIONS: Available in multiple colors including Purple, Midnight Blue, Black, Tibetan Orange, Teal, Olive, Raspber…
If it’s more cushioning that you would like, the Jade Fusion yoga mat fits the bill. With all of the same benefits as the Harmony mat, it is even thicker.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: JadeYoga mats are specially designed to provide a superior level of traction. We only use natural rubbe…
- ULTRA COMFORTABLE MAT: The Fusion mat is a thick exercise mat designed for restorative yoga, Yin yoga, Pilates, core fit…
- NATURAL MATERIALS: Jade yoga mats are made from entirely toxin-free materials with no PVC, phthalates, heavy metals, or …
There are some really good reasons for buying an inexpensive yoga mat or even a low quality one. These could include not wanting to invest a lot of money when just getting started. Or, you want a yoga mat that you can travel with and not worry about it getting damaged (Jade yoga even has some less expensive travel mats to help with that). You also might want a less expensive mat if you’re doing yoga with kids and don’t want them to ruin a nice one. But, for me, I love the quality that the Jade yoga mat gives me.
- PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Take your yoga practice anywhere with the compact and lightweight JadeYoga Voyager Mat. Weighi…
- NON-SLIP AND STABLE: Enhance your poses and maintain stability with the Voyager Yoga Mat. Crafted from natural, open-cel…
- NATURAL MATERIALS FOR YOUR WELL-BEING: Experience yoga in its purest form with JadeYoga’s mats made from natural materia…
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE: The JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat is a lightweight and portable option for yoga enthusiasts. Weighi…
- EXCEPTIONAL GRIP AND STABILITY: Crafted from natural rubber, this mat provides an exceptional non-slip grip for both men…
- NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE: At JadeYoga, we prioritize environmental consciousness. Our Travel Yoga Mat is crafted from res…
As far as the yoga accessories go, I found that the yoga blocks or straps don’t need to be anything special or expensive, so you’d be fine with whatever you choose.
