Wednesday 31 May 2017

5 Best Yoga Mats for Men/Women not Slippery Thick Enough and Cheap

Mind, body, soul and the only piece of hardware you need is a yoga mat. While it is perhaps the simplest of all workout equipment, it is very important to keep you injury free. Today we will look at the 5 best yoga mats available so you can choose the perfect mat that will help you to practice yoga safely, and comfortably.

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1298 Reviews

HemingWeigh 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High Density Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap (3 Pack Combo)

71" long 24" wide ensures comfort for people of all shapes and sizes.

1.) HemingWeigh 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High-Density Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap:

If you are one of those people who goes to a workout center or a yoga center and needs to carry your yoga mat then this lightweight yoga mat which can be neatly folded and has a strap to easily sling it over your shoulders is your best bet. It is made from durable materials which will mean that you can use it daily and it will still last pretty long. The material is soft too so you can use it on a hard floor and still be doing yoga comfortably. The only chink in its armor is that it squeaks which can be a bit disturbing especially if you are trying to meditate as well.
Price: $18.99
Ease to carry: 5/5
Anti-skid meter: 3.5/5
Color Options: Available in 5 colors
Durability: 4/5

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1453 Reviews

Youphoria 24-Inch-by-72-Inch Microfiber Yoga Towel, Pink Towel/Gray Stitching

EXTENDS MAT LIFE AND REDUCES RISK OF BACTERIA - No one wants the daunting task of washing their yoga mat after each session. These machine washable yoga towels add a hygienic layer between you and your mat, reducing the risk of harmful bacteria spreading to your skin and saving you time on cleaning your mat.

2.) Youphoria Yoga Towel – (24″x72″)

The simple and clutter free style make this the best yoga mat for beginners and perfect for those who live in a place with a humid environment and those who get really sweaty hands. This yoga mat will absorb the sweat and give a dry anti-skid surface to do yoga. It can be cleaned easily as well. It is the perfect combo of a yoga mat and a yoga towel which means you save the space required for a separate towel. It is slightly less durable but would still last pretty long. The huge number of color options is an added bonus. If you do other stuff like pilates, then also this will come in handy too.
Price: $19.99
Ease to carry: 2.5/5
Anti-skid meter: 4/5
Color Options: Available in 13 colors
Durability: 3/5

2141 Reviews

YogaAccessories 1/4'' Extra Thick High Density Premium Sticky Yoga Mat for Exercise and Fitness - Black

At 74" long by 24" wide, our versatile 6mm yoga mat is two times as dense as the average yoga mat and is a full 6" longer

3.) YogaAccessories 1/4″ Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat

If you like more space or are on the bigger side and find regular sized yoga mats not good enough then this is the perfect option. Thicker and larger than most options this yoga mat is the best thick yoga mat and it’s very comfortable while giving you more freedom to get into some of the advanced yoga poses. The only gripe that regular users of this mat have is that they are a bit on the slippery side. They also have a unique smell to them which some might not like. It is durable and has perhaps the biggest selection of colors available.
Price: $20.95
Ease to carry: 2/5
Anti-skid meter: 2/5
Color Options: Available in 25 colors
Durability: 4.5/5

196 Reviews

YogaAccessories 1/8'' Lightweight Classic Yoga Mat and Exercise Pad - Black

Lightweight and durable 3mm thick classic mat is the perfect mat for on-the-go yoga practitioners!

4.) YogaAccessories 1/8” Lightweight Classic Yoga Mat and Exercise Pad

If you want comfort but would not like the mat to be too thick to carry around then this will suit your needs the best. It still has plenty of padding but is thin enough to roll up and carry around. Made of very durable materials which mean that it can stand up to some heavy use without having you running to buy a replacement very often. It is a bit on the smaller size and if you sweat a lot then this can get pretty slippery. Available in a reasonable number of color choices, it is perfect if you want the yoga mat which is not the best but does reasonably well in all departments and is cheap too. Don’t turn your nose up to the lightweight design it’s among some of the top rated yoga mats available here.
Price: 16.99
Ease to carry: 4/5
Anti-skid meter: 3/5
Color Options: Available in 17 colors
Durability: 4/5

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454 Reviews

SukhaMat Yoga Knee Pad - NEW! 15mm (5/8") Thick - The best yoga knee pad for a pain free Fitness Exercise Workout. Cushions pressure points. Complements your full-size yoga mat. (Black)

ALLEVIATES YOGA KNEE PAIN, Elbow Pain, Wrist Pain. Extra wide yoga pad to comfort both knee's, wrists, elbows, forearms and sit bone. Perfect to use for Pilates, ab rollers or any exercise routines. The SukhaMat Yoga Knee Pad is the ORIGINAL mat-width, #1 selling, highest density yoga knee pad and certified "Yogi Approved" by YogiApproved.com!

5.) SukhaMat Yoga Knee Pad

While not exactly a yoga mat in the traditional sense, its features still hold true to the purpose doing yoga. Maybe you only want to offer extra support to your knees and elbows. Being very small it can easily fit into your luggage this is best travel yoga mat. It will protect your bad knees if you have any and elbows from hurting and getting scraped while providing a cushioned support to do yoga even when you are out and about. It is a slightly pricey option especially considering the size but it does its job very well. The extra padding makes this the best non slip yoga mat among all listed here. If you feel that your current yoga mat is not giving your joints enough padding then this will improve that vastly. Highly recommended if you are able to do all the advanced yoga poses where a good but soft support is really necessary.
Price: $19.95
Ease to carry: 5/5
Anti-skid meter: 4/5
Color Options: Available in 6 colors
Durability: 4/5

Get one of these yoga mats and get set on your journey towards good health and peace of mind with adequate safety and comfort. Blissful thoughts.

The post 5 Best Yoga Mats for Men/Women not Slippery Thick Enough and Cheap appeared first on Yoga blog.

source http://ricianne.com/best-yoga-mat-reviews/

Tuesday 30 May 2017

5 Best Yoga Pants for Petite /Plus Size Women and They’re Affordable

Working out in any form requires comfortable clothing so that they can be flexible and still look good. If yoga is what you are into then you need the perfect pants so that you can do yoga without your clothes restricting you in any way or cause chaffing while still allowing you to be reasonably fashionable. It also needs to be durable enough to stretch considerably without tearing or ripping. Today we will look at 5 worthy contenders in the yoga pants category so that you can choose the one that is best for you.

5439 Reviews

90 Degree by Reflex Power Flex Yoga Pants - Black - Medium

SOLID: 87% Nylon 13% Spandex, HEATHER: 47% Nylon 46% Polyester 7% Spandex, SPACE DYE: 90% Polyester 10% Spandex

1.) 90 Degree by Reflex Women’s Power Flex Yoga Pants:

This form-fitting fabric will shape itself perfectly to the contours of your body so that there is no chaffing. Made from highly flexible yet durable materials, this yoga pant will last long despite being used every day. This yoga pant can stretch to considerable lengths which mean that you can stretch your body to its limits while doing some of the more advanced yoga poses without the pants restricting you or tearing and putting you in embarrassing situations. They are also available in plenty of color options so that you don have to sacrifice being fashionable while being practical too. The only gripe is that they are a bit see through and if that bothers you then you might wanna look elsewhere. Being that flex makes this the best yoga pants for plus size women too.
Price: $9.99 to $36.99
Comfort: 4.5/5
Flexibility: 5/5
Style quotient: 5/5
Color Options: Available in 20 colors
Durability: 4/5

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3045 Reviews

Spalding Women's Bootleg Pant, Ultra Navy, Large

Flared yoga pant featuring wide waistband and small logo at hip

2.) Spalding Women’s BootLeg Yoga Pant:

If you like the Bootleg look then this is the best option you have in the market. It is only available in 3 color options but makes up for it in comfort. Made mostly out of cotton, this yoga pant is great if you sweat a lot. It is also good for you if you have sensitive skin. You do have to keep in mind that the yoga pant being made primarily out of cotton, will shrink after a wash and you should consider that while choosing the size. Another great thing about these pants is that they are gentle on the waist without leaving marks or compressing your abdomens. They good enough to be worn as casual wear as well.
Price: $17.99 to $19.99
Comfort: 5/5
Flexibility: 4/5
Style quotient: 4/5
Color Options: Available in 3 colors
Durability: 3.5/5

3002 Reviews

90 Degree By Reflex Yoga Capris - Yoga Capris for Women - Hidden Pocket, 22inch, Black, XS

Made for yoga and fitness enthusiasts, the 22" Power Flex Yoga Capris by 90 Degree by Reflex are the ideal workout capris for women who live an active lifestyle--from yoga to cross training and everything in between. Featuring a classic legging fit with a wide waistband and high quality, four-way stretch fabric, these yoga capris won't ride up or slip down. Make these workout capris your go-to choice in women's activewear.

3.) 90 Degree By Reflex 22″ Yoga Capris – Yoga Leggings – Yoga Capris for Women:

If you want a comfortable pair of yoga pants in ththat isn’t see-through and you want plenty of color options to choose from, then this is the perfect pair of pants for you. It is an all-rounder and can be worn around the house or if you want to go shopping in the mall. These are made from highly flexible materials and as such can take quite a lot of abuse. They can cause a bit of chafing and might cause rashes if your skin is sensitive to synthetic fabric. They will last reasonably long and are on the cheaper side as well making them great value for money. Its versatility and high quality makes this best yoga pants for petites of every size.
Price: $9.99 to $19.99
Comfort: 4/5
Flexibility: 5/5
Style quotient: 5/5
Color Options: Available in 29 colors
Durability: 4.5/5

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608 Reviews

Baleaf Women's Yoga Capri Legging Inner Pocket Non See-through Dark Blue Size M

Non see-through, moisture-wicking, breathable and stretchy fabric provides complete coverage

4.) Baleaf Women’s Yoga Capri Legging Inner Pocket Non See-through Fabric:

If you want a cute pair of yoga pants that won’t cost a fortune but looks good and feels good, then this is worth a look. It is not on the durable side and with frequent washes, it will become a bit see-through and shrink a little. It will provide gentle compression which will ensure good blood flow. They are great for yoga and other types of workouts but if you opt to wear to them elsewhere then they might let you down as they can be clearly recognized as workout pants. They are very comfy as well and if you are the casual yoga enthusiast then look no further.
Price: $14.99
Comfort: 5/5
Flexibility: 4.5/5
Style quotient: 3/5
Color Options: Available in 7 colors
Durability: 3/5

717 Reviews

Champion Women's Jersey Banded Knee Pant, Black, Large

Lightweight cotton jersey fabric keeps you comfortable

5.) Champion Women’s Jersey Banded Knee Pant

If you do not like your clothes sticking to you but would still like to look fashionable and not want your workout clothes to flap around then these are a great option for you. They have elastic band both at the waist and the knees so they will fit you snugly while still being free flowing. Women who have big thighs can fit it comfortably too. They aren’t available in many color options but give you a different look than most workout clothes. Coming to functionality they are flexible, durable, and do not shrink much after washing. They can be worn in public and are very comfortable as well.
Price: $12.28 to $24.00
Comfort: 4.5/5
Flexibility: 4/5
Style quotient: 5/5
Color Options: Available in 4 colors
Durability: 4/5

These are the best yoga pants out there and getting one of these will ensure that you can do yoga comfortably, safely and in style. Look cool while staying healthy.

The post 5 Best Yoga Pants for Petite /Plus Size Women and They’re Affordable appeared first on Yoga blog.

source http://ricianne.com/best-yoga-pants-reviews/

Saturday 27 May 2017

The History of Yoga and How It Shaped the World

The History of Yoga

Health and Fitness is a multi-billion dollar industry today and one of the biggest components of this industry is yoga and that is not very surprising. It does not require any equipment and can be done almost anywhere. Today we will look at the history of this amazing form of exercise that not only helps you physically but mentally and spiritually as well.

Yoga originated in India but the exact time of its inception is not known but it definitely goes all the way back to the earliest form of written history available in India. It might have been first practiced by the people of the Indus Valley civilization all the way back in 2000 BCE but this cannot be confirmed as we only have pictorial representations of what is thought to be poses of yoga. The earliest written proof we have of an early form of yoga is in the four Vedas which are amongst the oldest literary works in India. Though the name yoga has not been used, a form of meditation and control over one’s mind and body, known as ‘Tapasia’ has been described in these literary works which describe the precursor to yoga as we know it today. This spans the time between 1500 and 500 BCE.

Then came the age of the Bhagavad Gita and it is here that we see the first documented use of the word ‘yoga’ with the same meaning as it is used today. In these texts, humanity is described as having many stages of existence and yoga is the means through which a higher state of existence can be achieved. With later works of literature, the practice of yoga became more defined and some literary works such as the ‘Yoga Vashista’ concentrates entirely on the different forms of yoga.

So far, all mention of yoga had been confined to India but that changed with Alexander’s invasion of the country in the 4th century BCE. Historians from outside India got their first glimpse of yoga and the practitioners of yoga were described as ‘Yogis and Yogins’ who practiced different postures while standing, sitting or lying down and who maintained a disconnected demeanor to the outside world. This was followed by the advent of Buddhism and Jainism and Yoga became an integral part of religion and as Buddhism and Jainism spread throughout the world, so did yoga. The rest of the world still saw yoga as a religious practice and this continued all the way to the 1800s.

In 1851, N.C.Paul published his works on yoga and it was through his book ‘Treatise on Yoga Philosophy’ that interest in yoga was first generated in the western world. Yoga came to even more notice when Swami Vivekananda visited Europe and the USA in the 1890s and preached its many benefits. From there on, many westerners adopted yoga as a part of their lifestyle and has since become the highly popular form of fitness we know of today. While it is still an active part of the religion for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, people outside of these religions recognize the huge benefits of yoga and accept is as a form of fitness and healthcare.

While it has a fascinating history, modern times have allowed it grow even further. Yoga today has expanded into many forms suited for different requirements and we will now have a look at each one of the popular forms of yoga in existence today.

1.) Hatha Yoga:

This is the form of yoga that includes the different postures also known as Asanas. A list of the popular ones is listed below along with the body part they benefit.

Beginner level Asanas:

– Mountain (Tadasana): Improves balance and posture
– Chair (Utkatasana): Legs, shoulders, and back
– Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Shoulders and thighs
– Triangle (Trikonasana): Improves flexibility
– Tree (Vrksasana): Feet
– Bridge (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana): Neck and chest
– Corpse (Savasana): Calms the mind
– Warrior (Virabhadrasana): Balance and core strength

Intermediate level Asanas:

– Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana): Hips and Abs
– Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana): Abs, laterals, hips and thighs
– Side Stretch (Parsvottanasana): Abs and laterals
– Bow (Dhanurasana): Shoulders, chest, and abs
– Camel (Ustrasana): Full body stretching

Advanced level Asanas:

– Assisted Handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana): arms and core
– Crow (Bakasana): wrists, arms, and hip
– Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana): Abs, shoulders, and calves
– Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana): back and inner thighs
– Boat (Navasana): Abs and Hips

2.) Sura yoga:

This form of yoga involves vocal chanting of mantras and are used to calm the mind and improve concentration. The sound is meant to keep away any distractions. Typically any single syllable word can be used for chanting.

3.) Karma yoga:

This applies to work and basically implies that one should have a complete and utter devotion to work and should get completely immersed in their work. Practicing this form of yoga improves productivity and efficiency. To achieve this some form of meditation must be done before beginning work so that the mind is calm and the body is relaxed and one can work without getting distracted.

The history of yoga is soo deep and we could not possibly cover all of it here. It has been an enthralling journey so far and hopefully, This brief summary of the history of yoga timeline have given wisdom and enjoyment as much it has for me. Stay healthy and have fun. For more info on the history of yoga learn more here

The post The History of Yoga and How It Shaped the World appeared first on Yoga blog.

source http://ricianne.com/history-of-yoga/