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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.
much like the carbon footprint, these days asana-lovers everywhere are now struggling to lighten their yoga footprint - as in the grimy one on the mat. i know i have touched upon sauchat, the principle of cleanliness, in the past when it comes to mats, but let's take a moment to focus on the real culprits here - shall we? dirty feet.
step 1 - acknowledge that open-toe/flip flop season is in full swing & it's up to you to prevent permanent mat stains.
step 2 - inspect your soles; sitting in badakonasana, just take a look down - craddle & lift up one foot & then the other, observe the color, then ask yourself, 'is this the correct shade?'
let me help you out here, no matter what your skin tone, the soles of your feet & the palms of your hands should always be at least slightly lighter than the dorsal side (e.g., back of the hand, tops of the feet).
step 3 - wash away those worries, accept what you see, (hey, it happens to all of us - i have dirty feet too - its inevitable, i live in nyc & i enjoy wearing sandals) & be proactive. if you have time before class or you are at home, have a little cleansing sessions in the sink/tub (so what if others see you, no need to be embarrassed about keeping clean! you may actually inspire others...). otherwise, if you are in a rush & just barely made it to class by the skin of your teeth, carry some handy helpers with you instead - great for feet & other waterless bird baths you may be in need of.
here are some of my faves:
- shobha freshening cloths - a handy canister of unscented cloths (so you won't be the one wearing perfume to class) formulated by a company obsessed with sanitary practices (check out their no double-dip waxing policy - it'll make you think twice...)
- sweet spot on-the-go wipettes in basil grapefruit - conveniently packed in single-use pouches to keep your load light & enjoy a gentle refreshing fragrance (won't overpower) - great if you suffer from stinky feet.
- momspit in fig & green tea - no, just no. there is no saliva involved, but this foaming anti-bacterial hand sanitizer is great for cleansing the tootsies as well - i like to lather up & then towel off with a tissue.
- cleanwell - if you're not into foaming 'spit' you may want to test out a lemony spritz of this eco-friendly, bio-degradable germ killer.
moral of the story, check your feet before you check into class!
dear bendy yogi,
the cleaning of my yoga mat has been well overdue for a looooooong time (check out the pic if you don't believe me, you can probably make out a 'dirt angel' if you look).
in the midst of my spring cleaning this past weekend i decided to add cleaning my yoga mat to my list of things to do [read: clean].
the directions on my kulae organic yoga mat cleaner suggested a few ways to clean my mat, depending on the level of dirtiness (e.g., daily cleaning, medium cleaning & deep cleaning & restoration).
i, obviously, opted for the deep cleaning & restoration option, which instructed me to:
- spray the mat directly with the solution.
- let it soak for 3 minutes.
- follow with a wet cloth & work it into a lather.
- rinse, wipe & air dry.
- repeat if necessary.
i
n my case the repeat was necessary, so i did all the aforementioned steps twice. it definitely cleaned up my mat, but i think this sucker will wear the badges of hours of down dog for life. all in all, i think it worked well (considering my filthy circumstances)! also, it now has a great citrus scent so at the very least my mat smells clean & fresh - despite some the permanent scars. in the future i'd love to be a "daily cleaner" - here's hoping!
-twisty twin
sound familiar?
show 'mat' some respect & commit to a cleanliness routine, after all it is a basic yoga sutra.
here are some options (now you have no excuse):- a diy recipe - you'll need a spray bottle, water, & a few drops of the essential oil tea tree & lavender.
now fess up & cast your vote: how often do you wash your yoga mat?
Posts
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.
