yoga mat recommendation?

[octmom]

I know some of you moms are into yoga. My recently-retired mom just took her first class with a new friend and enjoyed it, so she told me that she would like a yoga mat for Christmas. I know nothing about these things. Anyone have a recommendation? Aren't there tube-shaped cases that can be used to carry mats too? Anything else that might come in handy for a newby?

TIA!

Jerilyn
DS, Sean 10/03
expecting #2! EDD April 1, 2006, but anticipating a C/S in March

"Baby makes days shorter, nights longer, home happier, and love stronger."

[MarisaSF]

I didn't do a full-on comparison shop, but I can tell you that I really like my mat. The tag on it says
Power Systems
1-800-321-6975
power-systems.com

Not sure what the website is like as I bought it from a yoga studio. I have gotten several comments on it because it is longer and thicker/cushier than most (I guess; I honestly have never paid much attention to mats!).

There are tube-like things you can buy, but they are not necessary. I would *love* to have a pretty fabric yoga-mat bag today, but it's pretty far down on my list of extravagances. You can also get a belt-like strap to cinch the mat closed (rolled). Those are handy if you're walking or riding a bike to a class, but again not necessary.

For a newbie, I'd say the mat is the best place to invest first. You don't want to use the stinky mats in the studios... especially whilst pregnat. Best to you in the rest of your pregnancy! Enjoy and Namaste!

[lizajane]

send me some fabric and i will make you a bag. i made mine. i need more practice.

namaste!

back to OP-

don't remember the name of the company, but i read that someone makes mats that are phalate free. mine smells AWFUL from plastic-y chemical smell and i want to hold my breath in child's pose. (but i can't because i do a challenging flow yoga, so i am panting!)

[mudder17]

DH tried at least 3 different mats before finally finding one that works great. It's a Manduka and can be found at www.manduka.com. We got some simple straps that work to close the mat for transport, but like Marisa, it would be nice, but is not necessary to have a bag. Since we use the strap for some of our poses, we just ended up using the strap to close the mat.

And the bricks are also handy for a newby as they assist in some of the poses if your body is "not quite there" yet.


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[mudder17]

Liza, what type of fabric would work? I have some extra fabric lying around, I think, but I don't know how appropriate it would be for a yoga bag.


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[crayonblue]

DH just bought me one at ####'s Sporting Goods. Don't know the brand but it is blue and works well.

ETA: Ha! It edited out the name of the store.

[pb&j]

I'm very interested in what y'all have to say. After several years of practicing yoga, I'm still using the crummy, thin mat that came in a set with bricks and a strap that I bought when I first started. I think after the baby arrives and I'm back to my regular ashtanga/vinyasa thang, I really want a new mat. Someone in one of my classes had the prettiest purple mat with a big floral design on it, but I have no idea where it came from.

I'd second the PP's recommendation for bricks, and add a strap. Very handy! I'm not a beginner, but I still need/prefer the brick for a few poses. A strap is handy as well.


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, edd 01/15/06 - it's a HEALTHY BOY!

http://lilypie.com/days/060115/3/25/1/-5/.png[/img] ([img)

[MelissaTC]

I have a Gaiam brand sticky mat. It is not the cushiest mat in the world but it does the job. At the Y, I use their mats and use a couple. I found a fabric carrying bag at Target (Gaiam) awhile back. It is cute and funky. Your Mom might appreciate a set of blocks and a strap. I know I use them!

[lizajane]

i used a very thin fabric, figuring i wasn't going to abuse the bag. i don't carry it around all day everyday with diapers in it! i think any fabric would do.

i have tons left over from making mine if you gals want one. i would like to try to improve my design. i didn't use a pattern, so my bag came out a little roomier than i wanted. my fabric is light-medium blue with butterflies on it (white) and kinda batik-ish. semi-yoga style but semi-cute and girly style. definitely pretty. (camera not working right now or i would post a pic.)

[octmom]

Thanks for the leads, ladies! :)

Jerilyn
DS, Sean 10/03
expecting #2! EDD April 1, 2006, but anticipating a C/S in March

"Baby makes days shorter, nights longer, home happier, and love stronger."

[octmom]

I'm sure something made by lizajane would be even better :), but I just noticed this bag in the sale section on redenevlope.com and it caught my eye: http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=96499&BV_SessionID=@@@@1196126952.1132605335@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfdaddgfijhhlkcefecefedfgfdfmf.0&refPg=%2fproduct_display%2fgift_results.jsp&bct2=shops&bcp2=1&bcm2=1%24%24-8193&bct4=sale+shop&bcp4=3&bcm4=1%24%24-8209&bct5=entire+collection&bcp5=4&bcm5=29$$%2Fshops%2Fsale+shop%2Fentire+collection@ @30$$-9927@@35$$9927@@31$$48&catOid=-9927&oid=14884325&nc2=1

Jerilyn
DS, Sean 10/03
expecting #2! EDD April 1, 2006, but anticipating a C/S in March

"Baby makes days shorter, nights longer, home happier, and love stronger."

[pittsburghgirl]

My DH is big into yoga, the two places he buys mats are gaiam.com and huggermugger.com.

Both make eco-friendly mats; you can also get thicker mats which are super nice. I have never seen an eco-friendly mat in a regular store.

[mudder17]

I'll be a guinea pig! :)


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz