Another Post About The New Yoga Mat

As I was writing this tonight kid #2 came in and asked what I was doing.

Me: Writing a blog post.

Kid #2: About what?

Me: My new yoga mat.

Kid #2: Again? Seriously mom no one cares that much about your yoga mat.

And he’s probably right. I realized today that I am putting way too much thought into this new mat and way too much pressure on myself to feel worthy of a designer mat.

It all started earlier today when I saw a Hummer limousine driving down the streets of my small town. (Stay with me, this is related to yoga mats.) My first thought was, ‘Now who possibly is so self-indulgent to want to ride in a Hummer limo?’ It’s showy, pretentious and over the top.

Today was also the season finale of a Free Yoga in the Park class I offer in the summer. I had with me my usual supplies of extra yoga mats, towels and water. I also had my old and falling apart Walmart yoga mat that I was using. (If you simply must read more about my old purple mat and my new orange mat, you can read it here: http://jenniferyogalifeway.blogspot.com/2010/10/yoga-mats-out-with-old-and-in-with-new.html)

A few of the class members asked where my new mat was. Well, it’s home rolled up in my closet. They asked why I wasn’t using it. Well, it’s big and I feel kind of ostentatious carrying it around. And I might return it and if I do I sure don’t want to be using it on the ground at the park.

So the obvious question then was why did I even buy it in the first place? I needed a new one, I liked the way this was made, and I do like how big it is. I’m 5’9” and my heels often hang off the back in a downdog and other poses.

But it’s so big. And heavy. At close to 10 pounds I’m picturing carrying it on an airplane and lugging it to classes. And I’m really picturing rolling it out in a class. What will others think? Will they think I’m self-indulgent and over the top?

Finally, the voice of reason came from a very unlikely source -  a new man to yoga class today. He was a very big guy, athletic, muscular. Not at all the kind of guy you’d look at and think oh he does yoga.

“Honey, that mat has no feelings. It’s just a piece of rubber. Quit putting your issues on that mat.”

Oh wow, his first ever yoga class and he’s already got what yoga is really all about. Letting go of what is holding us back and keeping us tied down.  Letting go of not only physical pain but also our own emotional and mental pain that we often inflict upon ourselves.

I often end my yoga classes by saying that yoga isn’t about tying yourself up in knots, but rather it’s about untying the knots inside you. Freeing the physical blockages inside to allow a personal freedom to flow.

So, once again, I’m reminded to take my own advice.  Tomorrow the new, very big, very orange mat will be pulled out of the closet and will be christened with downdog, virabhadrasana and definitely a “letting go of what others think of me” meditation.

Yoga Mats: Out With The Old And In With The New

I finally splurged and bought myself a new yoga mat. Not just any mat. I went all out and bought the prAna Revolution yoga mat. I should be happy and excited right? Actually I’m having second thoughts.

What’s so special about a prAna Revolution yoga mat? Well, first it’s environmental friendly. It has three layers of biodegradable rubber that are heat laminated without the use of glue. I’m not real sure what all that means or how it works– except the marketing info said it’s good for the environment. The company that developed and sells it, prAna, has a strong commitment to the environment such as supporting wind energy projects and purchasing renewable energy certificates.

Now, that’s my liberal, tree-hugger reasons for buying the mat.

The real reason I bought the mat is because it was developed in collaboration with Anusara Yoga founder John Friend, and well, I’m lucky enough to be attending one of his trainings next month. So, I want to be one of the cool kids!

Actually I’d heard about this mat for a while now and had talked to people that had one. The price alone kept me from even considering it. It cost way more than my $10 Walmart yoga mat that I’ve been using for the past 5 years.

(Side note to anyone who is reading this that I happen to share a checking account with: I was able to buy the mat at a special 1/3 discounted price since I’m attending the training. And it’s a tax write off).

I might have even had a snotty tone in my voice when I asked those that had the mat does a Warrior II look different on a prAna mat than it does on a Walmart mat? No, it doesn’t.

But, my beloved old mat was falling apart. Literally, it is flaking and has thin spots in it.  I really did need a new one. So I went for it.

And now I’m having second thoughts. Not necessarily buyer’s remorse. More like I’m just a little sad to be retiring my old purple mat. It comes in only two colors and I chose tangerine. When it was delivered, my tell-it-like-it-is 9 year old asked why I picked “baby poop orange”? Not a good start so far.

Like most new mats it has that rubber smell and needs aired out first. So I’ve still been using my faithful yet falling apart mat. Each time I step on the old mat I’m reminded of where it’s/I’ve been and what it’s/I’ve been through.

My Walmart mat has been to the beach, the park, a fancy yoga studio in Los Angeles, Boston and the mountains. I’ve taken every teacher training with this old mat. I did my first headstand on this mat.

The lessons I’ve learned on the mat about when to take a chance and when to back off I’ve applied off the mat as well. I’ve grown as a yogi, a teacher and a person with the hours spent on my purple mat.

I’m a little sad to let the old mat go and a little nervous to step on the new mat. It’s been here for a week now and I haven’t tried it out yet. My excuse is I’m still airing it out.  My old mat is my comfort zone. Stepping on a new mat is symbolic of stepping out of my comfort zone.

I feel like I’m on the verge of a change both personally and professionally with my yoga. That’s a little scary. And exciting. I wonder what new pose I’ll be able to do on the Revolution mat? But really, I wonder what new lessons are awaiting me?

 Here's the new mat. It's huge!