June 25, 2007

Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeThings That Make You Go Ommm...

by Bonny Osterhage

We tote our own manicure and pedicure tools to the salon and bring our own cashmere blankets on airplanes. We leave our undies on (I hope), when trying on swimwear and we would never dream of actually sitting on that public toilet.

Oddly, however, we will sprawl all over any old mat the gym has to offer, regardless of the fact that it was soaked with someone else’s perspiration hours (if not mere minutes earlier). If that’s not enough to make you loofah ‘til you bleed, what about the number of germs you inhale every time you take that deep cleansing breath? That gives you something new to meditate on the next time you’re in child’s pose, huh?

Then, there is the comfort factor. Most gym mats make your Pilates hundreds feel like thousands, and some either slip or bunch up, leaving you to shout “timber” as your tree pose falls to the side. Fortunately, there are a couple of wonderful and, dare we say, stylish alternatives out there that can put both your mind and body at ease.

First there are the Manduka mats (www.manduka.com), created by yoga practitioner Peter Sterios. Available in either the Black Mat or the PurpleLite (perfect for travel), the mats are touted as “the last mat you will ever buy.” What makes them so wonderful? Available in either 71 or 85 inches, these mats are slip-resistant without being sticky, provide stability on any surface, are created with a unique bottom surface that reduces mat movement and are so thick and dense they put the “ahhh” back in yoga.

Furthermore, Manduka mats are created under the strictest environmental guidelines and are designed to last a lifetime, therefore making them less likely to end up in a landfill somewhere.

Now, while black and purple are fine, some of us enjoy making more of a statement with our yoga gear. Enter the Dali Mama (www.dalimamayoga.com), whose eco-friendly “Roll and Go” mats feature beautiful hand woven Sari straps and handles which allow for hands free (not to mention fashionable) toting. Not surprising, since they are designed by former model and actress Dawn Alane. She has even created an adorable children’s line featuring fun faux fur handles and straps.

These mats are more than just pretty, however. Constructed from jute fibers meshed with an environmentally safer plastic product, they are also eco-friendly, light weight and comfortable.

Namaste!


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