I took my first series of yoga classes this year.
A friend wanted to celebrate her birthday with a hot yoga session with some of her closest girlfriends. I couldn't resist a birthday rooted in health; after all, holistic wellness is my thing. Contrary to my belief, though, yoga was not quite my thing – no matter how many times I had done it in my living room.
There were a few pointers that would have been helpful to me going into the session. Simple things like: downward dog at home is much different than downward dog in a 98-degree studio, and girl, drink water.
So, to provide you with a forewarning that I didn't particularly have, here are a few tips to help you as you begin your yoga journey.
Equipment.
Having the right equipment is important for making the most of your yoga experience. Before committing yourself to an hour-long yoga session, let's make sure you have the appropriate clothing and supplies:
Wardrobe.
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Body Awareness.
Body movement is prevalent in any form of fitness, yoga especially. Paying attention to your body is equally as important. Below are some aspects of honoring your body you should be aware of:
Listen To Your Body.
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Mindfulness.
Yoga is not only a workout, it's a practice of mindfulness and meditation. To make the most of your session, it's important to master this practice as well:
Don’t Compare.
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It may seem like a lot of overwhelming information for your first time trying yoga, but all in all: have the right equipment (comfortable fitting attire, a yoga mat, and a towel are a necessity), listen to your body (don't push it past its limit), and master your mindfulness (find your peaceful place in the midst of your exercise). Combining all of this will ensure that you have a wonderful first experience!
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Featured image by Thomas Barwick/Getty Images
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RELATED
Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
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A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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