Yoga to Relax and Rejuvenate

I have been a yoga practitioner for 20 years. My yoga journey started with taking classes at my gym from a wonderful instructor who was also a nurse. She infused mind, body, spirit, and anatomy in each of her classes. I developed a love for yoga and how it made me feel because of her. I went on to become certified and take as many workshops as I could to gain more knowledge about how yoga can not only help me heal, but help others.

My yoga journey continues. Yoga is a practice and continually evolves.

I recently found Spoonk AcuOm Mats. I am enthralled by the product. As part of a restorative practice they provide the extra self care necessary to find greater relaxation (mental and physical) as well as less muscle strain.



The Spoonk AcuOm Mat is about half the length of a traditional yoga mat. It can be carried with you to a yoga class and used at the start or conclusion of a class. The spikes take a bit of getting used to, but the learning curve is worth it!

5 Ways to Clean Your Yoga Mat

My yoga students often ask me how to clean a yoga mat OR how to get rid of the "slippery" feeling of a new yoga mat.



Both mats need cleaning for different reasons. You can buy commercial sprays to clean your mat online and at yoga studios. If using a chemical product and purchasing an additional product is not what you are looking for, there are solution!

1. For GENERAL MAINTENANCE, you can make a 1-1 solution of WHITE vinegar and water and put it in a spray bottle. You can use the mixture to spray down both sides of the mat and let it air dry. You can be consistent and do this each time you practice to ensure your mat is clean ... both the side you used and the side that touched the floor! If you do not have an opportunity to do this each time you practice, set a schedule. Perhaps it is your goal to do this the 1st of each month or every Monday. Set a schedule and you will get into a routine! If the idea of using vinegar turns you off, do not worry. The smell goes away as it dries!

2. For a THOROUGH CLEANING, if your yoga mat is machine washable you can place it in the machine on delicate cycle and using cold water. I do this with mine. I run a load with my mat and only my mat in the machine. I add a cup of white vinegar to the small load. I hang the mat on a drying rack. You can use a shower curtain rod to hand the mat also.

3. Another option for a THOROUGH CLEANING, is to place your mat in the bathtub and wash it with vinegar water or a SMALL amount of dish soap (careful as you are looking for NON SLIP/NO RESIDUE). This is good if you need to use a sponge to scrub out any spots (perhaps you were practicing outside?). This is my other go-to for cleaning my mat.

4. To remove ODORS. You can add a small amount (1-3 drops) of essential oil to a water or water vinegar mixture in a spray bottle and spray your mat.

5. Do not forget about your yoga mat bag. It houses your dirty and potentially stinky mat. Take time to wash it too! The last thing you want is a clean mat housed in a bacteria filled bag.

Enjoy your practice! Namaste!

Chemicals in Household Products Can Cause Medical Problems

I am NOT a fan of walking through the store and smelling the chemicals from the household cleaning products. I much prefer the plant based products I use in my home...they clean without the chemical odor.

 

Transition your home into a plant based products home. Do not get rid of what you have, that is wasteful economically and for the environment. When you need to replace the items you have, but plant based products. Contact me for information on how to get FREE Household Cleaning Supplies in the Month of April 2018!

Bananas

According to the EPA Archive, in 2013, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted about 87 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.3 percent recycling rate. We need to do a better job. 

Some communities have more opportunities for recycling or composting than others. Check out what your community offers!

Did you know BANANA PEELS can be used for more than housing a banana? 

You can take the inside of the peel and wipe it on your teeth. The enzymes are a NATURAL TEETH WHITENER.

Banana peels can be buried in your garden to DETRACT APHIDS. A great way toward organic gardening in your yard, controlling what you can control.

Try to find as many uses for items as you can before throwing them away...Look beyond the obvious to see the numerous offerings Mother Nature provides us with!

The BREAK is OVER ... I am BACK

I have been focusing on Healthy Recipe Variations and building the gluten free and more recipe site and sharing posts that are related to this blog to my personal Facebook Page. I am back to put the posts in one place where they belong ... so it is easier for you to find old posts if you wish to go back to them!

In honor of Earth Month ... posting about the ENVIRONMENT!