yoga notes

nothing beats a heartfelt message in your mailbox - as in your snail mailbox. as much of our communication these days is electronic whether that be via texting or email, it always seems so much more personal if you are able to send a letter utilizing your own penmanship because let's face it, you'll either delete an email (or it will drown in your inbox), but you'll keep a card. so make your elementary school teachers proud & bring a smile to a friend's face with a little yoga note.


here are some possible topics to get your pen flowing:

• life updates
• invite a friend to a yoga class (or teach him/her one - a private lesson between two friends)
• an inspirational quote
• a recipe for a great dish or a yoga sequence!

(other ideas for topics? please post them in the comments, i'd love to know!)

the yogadeal: for just $2 (+ a first-class stamp) you can send someone a little joy. this card set comes in a pack of 6 for $12!

spring sole cleansing

spring means warmer muscles, less bulky layers to tote & 86'ing the need for closed-toe shoes - yes, flip flop season has arrived! but after you flip off your flops take a quick peak at your soles - as in the bottoms of your feet - for mysterious grime & debris that managed to get embedded on your way to the yoga studio. try some instant cleaners that pack easily in your bag when you can't get a foot bath in to avoid mucking up your mat.

here are two natural options that help fight the funk, dirt & smell delicious too without artificial or harmful ingredients:

for lavender lovers try eo sanitizing wipes ($0.89 per single wipe). these single packs are handy if you are traveling light (although that means more for the wastelands). rest assured the alcohol is organic, which means it's non-gmo & helps support sustainable agriculture.




if you prefer to see the world through rose-colored glasses, get floral with shobha rosewater freshening cloths ($9.00 for a 10-count pouch). the bundle of wipes are still thin enough for easy travel, just make sure you toss the cloths in the trash (not the toilet) when you've finished cleansing your soiled soles.



the yogadeal: remember your foundation is important, so take good care of your tootsies! at the very least pack a damp washcloth in a baggie to cleanse your feet & keep your mat clean.

everyone could use a lil boogie in their daily intentions

staying present, in the moment & ultimately remembering why exactly you are living that experience can be tough with all of the external & internal noise whelming us. try setting a daily intention for the day & writing it down in a place that you can go back to throughout the daily to help you stay mindful of it. tech-savvy, tree-hugging yogis can jot down thoughts on a boogie board lcd writing tablet (you can also hang it on the wall) - a paperless memo that still allows you to put your penmanship to use without the stench of those intoxicating dry erase markers (ok, sometimes they are fun to smell, but we're going for mental clarity here).

if you are feeling a writer's block coming on, why reinvent the wheel? take snippets of inspiration from books, songs, movies & other characters in your life & trying walking around with someone else's perspective for a day.

the yogadeal: for $35.00 you can purchase a boogie board, keeping your thoughts fresh, while never worrying about your pen running out of ink or getting high off marker fumes. the boogie board can also be great for to do lists, appointment reminders, or even writing out an asana sequence. the only down side is that the battery will need to be replaced after a year or two of use & the erase button at the top gives you a clean slate each time, so if you have important info on there, make sure you have it somewhere else before you press erase.

what's your favorite intention? (share 'em in comment section, purdy please.)

yogis get jerky

success! a new treasure is found on the hunt for snacks that will curb pre (or post)-class hunger that is gentle for digesting & doesn't add the fullness that can make you dread twisting poses. primal spirit food offers a variety of vegan jerkies with some delicious flavors. while most of the jerkies are made with seitan or soy, a yogadeals fave is the hot & spicy jerky which is made with shiitake mushrooms. all of the flavors offer protein but no GMOs or MSG. these jerkies are a pleasant surprise, especially when if you have a personal disgust for sticks of meat known to the layperson as slim jims (even before going veg... just sayin').

the yogadeal: primal strips are available locally in singles for under $2 so you can test out the flavors before committing to a 24-pack for about $22.