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Need the perfect gift for someone who loves yoga? Shop below for some of the most popular Yoga products online. As a yogi myself, this is my Top Ten list off all the products I can’t live without or really want under the tree this Christmas. I’ve provided an ‘Owner’s Tip’ for those items that I do personally own that made the list! Choose from this practical Yoga Gift List for the yogi in your life; from yoga fashion for the mat and Main Street, the newest yoga props and decor ideas including Yoga pose candle holers, wellness products and fair trade products too! ~Namaste~

Imitating the seven primary energy centers of the body (that are aligned along the spine), this column of color and sound reflects the ancient Eastern philosophy of Chakra. Thought of as “windows to the soul,” each chakra has its own color and is associated with a particular virtue: stability, balance, energy, compassion, communication, intuition and receiving. Plus, check out sale items: 25%-55% off at UncommonGoods: the sale collection

Owner’s Tip: I hung this chime in my kitchen above the sink. The stones are not as  brightly colored as shown in the product’s image but they still resemble the 7 colors and sound beautiful.

9.) Cork Yoga Block from Gaiam | $14.98
Great texture, comfortable and pliable, these bricks are now wider for optimal grip and traction. They are made from all-natural materials. Portugal.

Owner’s Tip: We all know the blue or purple blocks we see at gyms and studios – and yes, they absolutely do the trick. But a yogi will love his or her own block. The support a block provides the body on the mat or in poses is personal. Just like a yoga mat, the yoga block is an extension of personal belongings we need to practice yoga

8.) Serenity Sculpture from Gaiam | $48.00 ***Fair Trade***
This hand-crafted sculpture serves as a gentle reminder to find inner peace and balance throughout the day. Carved of sustainably-harvested jackfruit wood and hand-polished by local artisans, it complements any meditation or relaxation room. 8″H x 5½”W x 3½”D. Vietnam.

Owner’s Tip: This is actually bigger than I thought it would be. It’s also hand carved so the sculpture appears shiny but it’s very natural and dull in real life. It’s gorgeous and earthy. I place a candle in front of it and place it on a book shelf. She’s just beautiful.

7.) Hard Tail Rollover Wide Leg Yoga Pants | $68.00
The Wide Leg Rollover Pant might be the most figure flattering pant you can wear – combining a rollover waistband, that shows only the right curves in the right spots, and the wide leg fit which is roomy and so comfortable.
90% Cotton, 10% Spandex

6.) A Jade Yoga Original Professional Mat | $72.00
A Jade Yoga bestselling premium mat. 3/16″” thick. A perfect balance of traction and cushion. 24″” x 68″”All Natural Rubber.

5.) Yoga Sandals | $32.00
Each elastic toe separator fits between your toes, stretching and flexing as needed for maximum comfort and benefit. Yoga sandals help you to improve your alignment and increase stability and balance by spreading your toes while supporting your heels properly.

4.) Tech Stretch Hoodie from Athleta | $74.99
If you’re a hoodie lover at heart, this Tech Stretch Hoodie will quickly become your new ’mat to Main Street’  uniform.  Semi-fitted. Full contrast zip at front, dyed to match zip on black, Inset waistband for contour, shirring at front chest, Body length in size medium: 25.5”

3.) Zafu Meditation Pillow
  | See site for details.
This durable pillow will help any yogi of any skill level to elongate their spine in seated poses. As one delves deeper into meditation, for example, the need for a pillow to assist in long periods of silence is needed. In general, when seated on the floor from practicing yoga to doing your favorite craft, the spine appreciates a little lift!

2.) Double Tree of Life Wall Sculpture | $99.00 ***Fair Trade***
Haitian artisans take clean 55-gallon oil drums and flatten them into a “canvas,” draw a pattern in chalk and then hand chisel and hammer the metal into these intricate sculptures. Each Double Tree of Life Wall Sculpture is created entirely by hand — with no electricity used — and signed by the artist. Lacquer-finished for indoor or outdoor use. Haiti.

1.) Heart Rate Monitor | Prices vary

Owner’s Tip: A heart rate monitor is great for anyone who is interested in really tapping into their body and its physiological responses to movement. You can wear this during yoga or any physical activity to learn more about your body in its physical state. Read more

Please note prices may change.

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Six, Verse 36 – Success in Yoga is extremely difficult if you cannot control your mind.
Sutra: Book One, Verse 2 – The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.
The Gita passage here focuses on our sense of attachment particularly to our mind-chatter and racing thoughts. We must be aware of how frequent our mind-chatter takes over and defines our perception of reality. There isn’t danger in this awareness. The danger lies in the how far a single thought can manifest itself to the point of becoming destructive or obsessive. The mind is the connection between thoughts and emotions. If our thoughts are destructive then our emotions are affected. Our emotions affect our physical bodies and we may suffer physically as a result. Therefore, we must bring awareness and control to our thoughts and ultimately examine how to best process them in a non-destructive way. We can do this through the study of Yoga.

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Two, Verses 48 and 49 – Equanimity of Mind is Yoga. Wretched are those who are motivated by the fruits of their actions.
Sutra: Chapter Two, Verse 42 – By contentment, supreme joy is gained.
In the Gita, this verse explains that having few or no attachments results in peace of mind and heart. In Verse 49, the Gita talks about expectations and again not having any or being attached to and end result. Even if the slightest expectation goes unfulfilled, we are no longer content or happy. In fact, we are deflated because the circumstances didn’t turn out the way we wished. Therefore, to achieve contentment as stated in the Sutra, we find it more peaceful to surrender our attachment and our expectations so that life doesn’t disappoint us or over fulfill us in ways we thought it would. We neither like nor dislike when we are content. It is hard to suffer when the judgment of, the attachment to and the expectation for is absent.

Humans suffer because they believe or have come to believe that this life is all it will ever be. That there isn’t any other way or any other option to them; that their course is set and they have to sit idle with it. They spend many days, weeks and years just believing that things will and can never change. We take on an identity from early on and believe in it. But most striking, for me especially as I study yoga and the Gita, is that the older we get, we realize that what we’ve always believed about ourselves, about others and about this world, just might not be what we thought all along. What stories about myself might not be true? We are conditioned to believe certain ‘truths’ about ourselves, but what are these truths? And is what was true for me before still true for me now? Truth, therefore, is a profound theme throughout the Gita with steps and tips toward realizing our own personal wisdom and our own personal truths. Yoga is really about studying ourselves. And the Gita asks us to ponder the mere possibility that what if everything I’ve ever known to be true is no longer true for me now? This can be extremely scary and outside of our comfort zone. But in the same regard, an opportunity to become more aware of how attached we are to the people, things and conditions that have made us who we are up to this critical realization. This is the moment we become still; we are reminded to be present and to examine the source of our suffering.

The passage in Chapter Five, Verse 22 in summary, states the wisest person realizes that joy can never come from the outside. When we depend so heavily on outside things to fill us up with happiness, we are not being honest with ourselves. On the surface we appear fulfilled and content, but there is underlying pain and suffering that we are trying to hide behind. Even if you try with your mind to control and insist on being happy, it’s just not possible. This is because you aren’t really happy in your heart. I like how the passage discusses being happy even when things don’t turn out the way you want. No body promises that things always will. There doesn’t have to be a divine reason for why things turn out the way they do. So why do we exert so much energy in trying to force things and control every moment and all the minutiae? Why do we constantly need answers for all of our questions? Is it possible to lead a more peaceful existent when we just surrender to the past and to the future?

Take pleasure and be grateful for joys and the challenges that the moment offers us. During asana (poses), we experience pure bliss and comfort on our mats but we also might feel challenged and weak when instructed to try something new or get into an unfamiliar pose. The same is true off of our mats. Think about all the ups and downs we experience on a daily basis. How equipped are we to deal with things from one side of the spectrum to the other with grace?

I believe it is a more peaceful way to live my life when I don’t put so much pressure on myself and those around me to constantly fulfill me. But I didn’t always believe this. I feel this is what the Gita emphasizes by teaching us it’s impossible to suffer when present. I realize that on this journey that is life, when I am still, I have all I will ever need. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.

Types of Breech fetal positions:

• Complete breech – sitting cross legged in the womb
• Kneeling breech – kneeling in the womb
• Footling breech – feet first in the womb
• Frank breech – butt first in the womb

If you find out your baby is breech, you might want to consider a few gentle yoga poses to help turn the baby.

Yoga poses to help turn a breech baby include:

• Child’s pose – just raise the buttox towards the sky and hold
• Prolonged Downward facing dog
• Supported Bridge pose
• Cow pose – spend additional time with pelvis rocked forward

What to avoid? Avoid squatting as this might encourage the baby to get more comfortable and wedge itself deeper down into its breech position.

Other Tips to help turn a baby:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care, specifically The Webster Technique
• Placing an ice pack near the fundus (top of uterus) as the baby might want to move away from the cold
• Shining a light near the pelvic opening as the baby will be drawn to it
• Playing music near the pelvic opening for the same reason above

As always, discuss these options with your Doctor so that you can both be participants of the safest birth possible!

Top 10 Things to Avoid during Yoga when Pregnant:

1. Practicing in a hot room or participating in Bikram or “Hot” Yoga classes
2. Jumps to and from poses (i.e. Plank to Forward Fold)
3. Breath retention or holding of the breath in and during poses
4. Double leg lifts (i.e. Boat Pose)
5. Frontward lying poses (i.e. Cobra, Upward Facing Dog)
6. Hyper-extension or overstretching
7. Warrior I
8. Full blown and deep twists
9. Prolonged standing or balance poses
10. Supine poses or lying on back

1. Practicing in a hot room or participating in Bikram or “Hot” Yoga classes
It is recommended that a mom-t0-be’s heart rate does not exceed 140 BPM during pregnancy. Now if you are brand new to exercise and to yoga, you should really bear this in mind. If you have a regular exercise routine and practice yoga often, discuss with your doctor your optimal BPM. Even if you are in superior shape, practicing yoga in a heated room should really be avoided by all prenatal participants because of the hormonal changes taking place in the body and the risk that you might be taking in terms of overheating and becoming too light headed.

2. Jumps to and from poses (i.e. Plank to Forward Fold)
A more dynamic practice or one that tends to spike the heart rate as jumping or hopping does,  makes for a great workout …but one that might not be entirely necessary for baby as she/he grows. Jumping will also become increasingly more difficult as mom-to-be starts to expand.

3. Breath retention or holding of the breath in and during poses
We want to encourage even breathing and lots of oxygen to the placenta. Therefore, holding or retaining ones breath just isn’t the best choice during pregnancy.

4.  Double leg lifts (i.e. Boat Pose)
Raising both legs in the air is by definition an Inversion. When the feet are above the heart, blood pressure must make a major adjustment to keep the body functioning at an optimal rate. This can put pressure on a woman’s body and perhaps unnecessary pressure on her baby. Unless you are very accustomed to doing inversions already (including Plow, Shoulder Stand,  Head Stand, Hand Stand, Legs Up the Wall and Downward Dog), avoid inversions. In the case of Boat Pose or Knees to Chest, just try raising one leg at a time. Legs up the Wall Pose can also be practiced for short periods of time with one leg.

5. Frontward lying poses (i.e. Cobra, Upward Facing Dog)
This is probably obvious, but as baby starts to make a home in your lower abdomen, it just isn’t going to be possible to lay there. You might find it possible during your 1st Trimester, but typically by Week 14, you’re going to want to start avoiding it.

6.  Hyper-extension or overstretching
Lots of hormones start rushing through a woman’s body the moment she conceives. One such hormone is Relaxin which is present in the body 10 times more than normal and helps relax joints and ligaments. This is great because the body is preparing for labor. But it can also mean that mom-to-be may risk the danger or over stretching or hyper-extending her joints. You may or may not be able to recover from these injuries after the baby is born, so be gentle…it’s just not worth the risk!

7. Warrior I
If you think about Warrior I, you are twisting the hips forward to align them perfectly under the shoulders and spine. When you align feet heel to heel or heel to arch, you can put a tremendous amount of twirk on the pelvis and hips.  Therefore, modify your Warrior I (just during pregnancy!) by opening the feet and aligning them farther apart. Think about your feet on rail road tracks instead of on a balance beam. This is a great modification for people in general with hip or knee injuries. Moms-t0-be can use it too so as to not put additional twirk on their babies.

8. Full blown and deep twists
As stated above, twisting the womb and squeezing the baby puts them in, quite literally, a tight spot. It will probably not be comfortable for you either. Aim to keep twists really open and forgo the twisting options in your class even if cued to do so.

9. Prolonged standing or balance poses
Standing for really long periods of time will start to make mom feel tired. This is especially true of those in later trimesters. Engage in balance poses but use the back of a chair or the wall. It’s not a bad idea to set up your mat near a wall space…just in case! Balance becomes a little more difficult in pregnancy so you just want to proceed with caution.

10. Supine poses or lying on back
You can still enjoy Final Relaxation (Savasana) even when pregnant. You might just want to modify by laying on your left side with a pillow propped between the knees. Bring a pillow from home to your classes for this reason. Circulation and blood flow are best for you and for baby when lying on one’s side and not on the back if you can help it.

What will a Prenatal Yoga Class offer me?
A prenatal yoga class should offer moms-to-be with the physical and mental tools needed to assist in the work of labor. It should be a well rounded class that focuses on strengthening the body, building endurance and increasing flexibility. Classes should focus on the breath and provide plenty of gentle movements and lots of modifications to accommodate bodies as they grow.

How long is a typical Prenatal Yoga Class?
In general, classes probably won’t last longer than 60 minutes. More time is allowed for transitions and the instructor should wait for all moms, who are likely at all different stages in their pregnancy, to get into a pose before moving on to the next.

What is the pace in a Prenatal Yoga Class?
The class pace and instructor’s voice should be soothing and supportive. Gentle music will likely be played so that both you and baby can benefit from “me time.”

How is a Prenatal Yoga Class broken down?
Typically you will begin class with several minutes of stillness; calming and breathing into the body. Next, you should be given the opportunity to warm up the body followed by poses that ‘work’ the body. The class should then end with a period of time to absorb and relax the body ~ also known as Savasana (shah-vha-sana).

What should I wear to a yoga class?
Dress in optimal comfort and be certain to dress in layers. You can always shed a long sleeve tee or hoodie to the side if your body starts to heat up. And when the cool down begins, those items are there to help warm you right back up! A pair of leggings with a loose tank or tee will be just fine. Shorts or ‘yoga pants’ with a little flair are also super comfortable and flattering. It’s up to you to wear more form fitting clothing or loose. There isn’t a wrong way to dress as long as you and baby have lots of room to move and flow.

Besides myself, what else should I bring  to a Prenatal Yoga Class?
Find out ahead of time if a yoga mat is provided. You might want to buy one before you arrive to your first session. But many times you’ll be able to rent or borrow a yoga mat from the studio or gym you’re taking the class from. A towel or small pillow is nice for seated poses and can cushion the body throughout your practice. Bring an eye pillow or sleep mask to place over your eyes during Final Relaxation (Savasana).  A yoga block and yoga strap become incredibly helpful during your practice as a mom-to-be. Again, check ahead with the facility as these items are typically provided to you to borrow. Lastly, bring a water bottle and make it a goal to drink the entire thing during class!

What if the instructor doesn’t seem to be modifying the class enough for me and my body?
Definitely speak with him/her. One’s experience in taking yoga can almost always be directly tied to their connection with their instructor. If you’re feeling rushed or the class seems too difficult for you, your instructor should honor that and slow down the pace or offer you modifications so that you are able to participate. Chances are you aren’t the only mom-to-be that feels this way. If the instructor doesn’t seem to change their ways, then forgo the class and look for a new facility and/or instructor.

I also really like the length of the yoga mat. It’s longer than the average mat so I’m given even more room to practice. The mat is thick enough and I feel grounded in my poses. I’m able to move freely from Down Dog to Plank and scootch my toes without getting ‘stuck.’ Sometimes a mat is so sticky it’s hard to maneuver easily. But this mat seems to have a good amount of ‘stickiness,’ if that makes sense.

Probably the best thing about this yoga mat is the fact that it’s ultra-hygienic and PVC free. I recently found out that I’m pregnant and in an effort to keep my pregnancy (and life in general) toxin free, this mat was an easy choice to consider.

Other key characteristics about the tpECOmat from Kulae:

100% Biodegradable | 100% Recyclable | Ultra-Hygienic | PVC- and Latex-Free

Check out Kulae yoga mats online today.

Yoga during your 1st trimester will probably not feel too different than before you were pregnant. You should still be able to participate at the same level you were participating before. But that is all pending on how your 1st trimester symptoms are shaping up!

Typically in the 1st trimester, new moms to be can experience:

• Fatigue/Tiredness
• Full or swollen breasts
• Cramping or stomach woes
• Morning/Afternoon/Evening sickness
• Nausea
• Frequent urination
• Food cravings
• Food aversions
• Heightened sense of smell
• Headaches
• Backaches

Are we having fun yet? Experiencing one or many of these probably won’t make you feel like doing much of anything, nonetheless yoga. You might be feeling very “sofa-loving,” but if you’re able, yoga can actually help. Start to move your body and get the blood flowing and you might feel back and head aches melt away. Do a little cat/cow and you might find your digestion tract start to rev up.

Hormones are surging through your body during this trimester which is why you might feel so tired. Remember your blood sugar, blood pressure and digestion has slowed down. A gentle yoga session might just help you spark up some energy and get things moving in the right direction. Many pregnant women feel much more revived after a yoga session or even a 30 minute walk. And yes, a 30 minute nap might also do the trick!

While during the 1st trimester you can participate just like before, just be mindful of a few things that might catch you a little off guard. Your blood pressure is considerably lower given hormone changes. So moving swiftly from a standing forward fold pose into a standing mountain and then diving back down to a standing forward fold might make you feel a little light headed. Inversionsin general or anytime your head is below your heart will cause changes in blood pressure a little more obviously now. So breathe deep, move slow and opt to touch shins or knees in foldovers and cradle your head with two fists or with arms in poses like child’s pose. This will keep your head at a somewhat more parallel level to your heart during your practice.

Balance is another trait that starts to waiver and can do so as early as the first trimester. Perhaps it’s taken you a long time to master that tree pose and now you just can’t hold it as long as you did before. Accept what you find and modify the pose at the floor or calf instead of inner thigh for the next few months.

The really good news is that yoga can absolutely be practiced during your entire pregnancy. And this is the time to listen in and focus on your body signals more than ever before. While it’s true your body will literally change throughout the course of your pregnancy, your breath and focus remains the same; perhaps it’s even more meaningful than before to allow your breath to be your guide. If at any moment in your practice your breath is lost or forced, ease off and take a step back.

Most of all, enjoy your body in this very special time!