Browse Month by September 2014
Yoga practice

Another new Yoga mat

Yes, I followed the “in” crowd and all the cool kids like schools of fish in the ocean and the blue angels into the ground. I did what everyone else was doing when I bought the much loved and equally vilified Manduka PRO Black mat. The yoga must-have of the last three seasons. Anyone who’s anyone in the yoga world has to have a Manduka! So yes, I went and got one, and I have to say that I love it! Well, as much as you can love a yoga mat anyway.

First, although I researched on Manduka’s website, I ended up buying from Amazon. As in most cases, it’s cheaper, more convenient, and returns are hassle-free. I bought the package which included a 71″ black mat and matching graphite colored yoga bag. (You almost have to pony up for the bag, since the mat is too big for a standard sized bag.) The package for the mat and bag was only $114 on Amazon vs. $135 on Manduka’s site.

When it arrived, it was like Christmas! I hadn’t practiced on a real mat in months. My first impressions: it’s f’ing huge and heavy, sort of like the armored tank of yoga mats. But the color was cool, no dippy purple tie dyed bullshit. This is punk rock yoga, baby, right down to the metal divets on the gun metal graphite bag.

Rolling out and using the mat for the first time, it was definitely thick and comfy on my paws but I have to say that it is a bit slippy at first. I read many reviews that alluded to this but I’m going to press on, because I hear that after a couple months of regular use it’s a non-issue

The only real downside is that it’s not eco-friendly, but it definitely seems durable like it could last through nuclear fallout. And the Manduka PRO series guarantees their mats for a lifetime which is really respectable and means they make quality product (not Chinese crap). So, in effect, although it’s not made of recyclable materials, I won’t need to replace it every few years and throw it in a landfill like we do with way too many goods these days.

So far, I’m really pretty darn happy with my mat but please kill me if I ever say “my Manduka” like a name-dropping fool and go on to talk about it like it’s jesus and my best friend rolled into one. Really, only assholes personify inanimate objects. (I’m betting Manduka will not be putting that quote on their site)

My overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Pros: quality, durability, comfort, cool factor, lifetime guarantee

Cons: heavy, expensive, not eco-friendly

Self care

Introvert vs Extrovert

That is the question.

Chances are, if you are female and a yoga enthusiast, you’ve pondered this very question.

As it is that time of month for me (or more accurately that time of quarter thanks to the miracles of Seasonique) I thought it germaine to write a bit about menstruation and inversion poses.

There seems to be two camps on the subject. Those that believe it is definitely not recommended, even bordering on unhealthy since it effects the natural direction of your flow. Not your vinyasa flow. The other one. Uh huh, you with me?

The other side thinks that you shouldn’t have to change your practice just because pesky Aunt Flo is visiting for the week.

I’m sort of on the fence on this one. Although, medically speaking, there is no reason not to invert, I find that I prefer a slower, more restorative practice. I’m usually crampy and cranky and would like nothing more than a hot bath, a valium, and some corpse pose for half the day. But seriously, I will gladly do poses that produce some of the same benefits of improving circulation, like legs up the wall pose, instead of full blown shoulderstand or headstand.

How about ya’ll – do you say inversions are a no-no or it’s a myth and bottoms up?

Yoga practice

Crow pose for over 5 seconds?

With all this travel and upheavel of routine, I haven’t been practicing regularly. I’m lucky to get one or two quick asana practices in per week. So imagine my surprise, when yesterday I tried Crow Pose and managed to balance for the first time!

A regular part of my routine is malasana, or garland pose, a wide squat that is a good hip opener.

And then I inevitably try (and fail) the arm balance Crow Pose. I guess there is something to practice makes perfect. It was really exhilarating to be perched up on my forearms in a strong balance. All until my mind got in the way and I realized my head was balanced mere inches from crashing into the floor. No-mind don’t fail me now!

I can’t wait to try it again…little successes are so motivating.

Self care

What exactly is Oxybenzone?

Oxybenzone is a potential hormone disrupter found in many popular sunscreens.

Scientists who have researched this sunscreen chemical advise: “It would be prudent not to apply oxybenzone to large surface areas of skin for extended and repeated periods of time, unless no alternative protection is available. There may be an additional concern for young children who have less well developed processes of elimination, and have a larger surface area per body weight than adults, with respect to systemic availability of a topically applied dose” (Hayden 1997).

Oxybenzone is readily absorbed through the skin; government studies have detected the compound in 97 percent of the population (Calafat 2008). In rodents, it mimics estrogen and increases the weight of the uterus (Schlumpf 2004). In people, higher maternal exposures to oxybenzone have been linked to decreased birth weight in girls (Wolff 2008).

EWG advises consumers to avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone. Plenty of safer products are available, find one here.

Self care

Time for a new facecare

I’m sorry to say this, my love, but it’s over. When we met three years ago, I really thought you were the one. You smelled so good. You covered my baby skin so tenderly. You went on so smoothly and never were greasy. I couldn’t sweat you off if I wanted to.

But all that has changed…

I wasn’t looking to leave you, Neutrogena. Do you believe me? It just kind of happened one day. When I was browsing the sunscreen report on EWG, and I found out your dirty little secret. You didn’t tell me you were full of Oxybenzone. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? How could YOU?!

Now that it’s over, I’ve decided to move on. I’m with Alba now. He’s a real nice sunscreen. He’s good for me. He’s chock full of minerals.

But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still think about you. Even now, as I’m going out on a hike, I wish you were with me, but I know in my heart that it’s not meant to be.

So, I guess that’s it. Farewell, Neutrogena. I loved you so…