9 Best Yoga Mats For Your Yoga Practice
I'm all about reclaiming my time and tapping into my inner peace. Yoga has a reputation for helping us accomplish a satisfying "woosah" we all need. But before you get ready to master the downward dog, the yoga mat you use can truly determine what type of yoga experience you'll have. The thickness, material, length, and even cell type of a yoga mat are all factors to consider when you're on the hunt for your perfect yoga accessory.
Whether you plan on taking a yoga class on the beach during a girls' trip or want to indulge in hot yoga to sweat off the stress, there's a mat for that -- you just have to select the right one.
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1.BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Mat
Walmart
While you're still perfecting your yoga poses, this mat is protecting your joints and body. It has a high-density foam that reduces the soreness you might experience once you're finished. It's water-resistant so feel free to wash it down with soap and water. It also touts a free yoga mat strap to secure in between classes.
2.Lululemon's The Reversible Mat 3mm
Lululemon
For those who have enough on their mind while practicing yoga, the Reversible Yoga Mat 3mm from Lululemon serves more than one purpose. It has an impressive grip to make sure you don't slip during those sweaty yoga classes. The top layer even absorbs sweat and moisture. Flip over the mat to the other side when you want more of a cushion.
3.The B MAT Everyday Mat
B Mat Everyday Mat
It's perfect if you want to indulge in a yoga session from the comfort of your own home. The B MAT Everyday Mat is long-lasting and has a solid grip. It has a superior cushion and was created to battle heat and sweat, making it ideal if you want to take on yoga on a daily basis.
4.Gaiam Yoga Mat
Gaiam
Whether you're a pro or just getting the hang of the yoga lifestyle, the Gaiam Yoga Mat is an overall option. There's lots of cushion, but the mat won't slide back and forth. It comes with a downloadable yoga workout, which will help you if you're just getting started.
5.Aurorae Synergy 2 In 1 Yoga Mat
Amazon
If hot yoga is calling you every day, the Aurorae Synergy 2 in 1 mat might be calling you too. It comes with a mat and a towel for those extra sweaty sessions. In fact, this was created for hot yoga lovers in mind because the more you sweat, the better the grip.
6.Alo Yoga Warrior Mat
Neiman Marcus
Is having just one mat for all of your yoga needs ideal for you? The Alo Yoga Warrior Mat doesn't just come in an assortment of chic colors like Smoky Quartz and Eclipse, it's also an all-around mat that you can take to any type of course (and look cute doing it).
7.Heathyoga Eco-Friendly Non-Slip Yoga Mat
Heathyoga
If yoga is something new for you, the Heathyoga Eco-Friendly non-Slip mat caters to beginners. The top layer includes lines that help make sure your hands and feet are in place for each pose. A second layer serves as a tight grip to help your balance. And it's eco-friendly!
8.Suga Recycled Wetsuit Mat
Suga Yoga Mat
Suga took sustainability to another level when it released a yoga mat line made out of recycled wetsuits. They're nonslip and have an oversized option for the taller ladies. The product is made of natural rubber. Suga also plants a tree for each recycled yoga mat that it sells.
9.Manduka eKO Lite 4mm Yoga Mat
Manduka
The Manduka eKO Lite 4mm Yoga Mat is a top choice for those looking for a lightweight product. It's not extremely heavy or spongy, but also doesn't shift during a yoga session. It only weighs about five pounds, so it can easily be tucked into a suitcase for travel without taking up too much space.
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Featured image by Shutterstock
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Crystal Renay Is Prioritizing Healing, Her Kids, And Her Coins Amid Divorce
Crystal Renay is reclaiming her time and her identity after dealing with heartbreak. The model was married to Ne-Yo for seven years and they share three young children together. However, after a cheating scandal that resulted in a baby outside of their relationship, Crystal decided to end her marriage to the “So Sick” singer. Now, she is focusing on her bag and her kids. She is co-owner of Johnny’s Chicken and Waffles, launching a lip kit line, and is back on TV starring in the new WE TV reality series Bold & Bougie.
But it wasn’t an easy road, especially with reality TV. From the beginning, Crystal and her castmates bumped heads due to misconceptions and alliances with her ex-husband’s former partner, Monyetta Shaw. However, the mother of three exclusively tells xoNecole that she doesn’t regret her decision to join the show.
Crystal Renay
Photo courtesy
“Honestly, being in that space, we had a– you know, when you're first getting to know people, sometimes it can be smooth, and sometimes it can be rocky,” she says. “In our case, it was a little bit rocky and just getting to know each other, and I like to call it growing pains. And I felt like we had a couple of moments, but all in all, like the experience was really good for me, and I would do it over again.”
Crystal describes herself as “career-oriented” and says she is in her selfish season because she is now prioritizing herself first. But she admits that she is still healing from her divorce. The reality TV star shares some tips for others who may be going through the same thing.
“I would definitely say pray, pray as much as you can. Try to take your emotions out of your reactions to things because it’s always going to be something that you don't like in the situation,” she says. “But we can't move off of emotion because 10 times out of 10, a few months later, you're not going to feel like that. So, I'm a firm believer in not doing things that I will regret later. So I would just say be patient with yourself and stay positive.”
While there may be an opportunity to find love again, that’s not Crystal’s focus at the moment. She is in the rebuilding phase of her life, emphasizing the importance of self-care, personal growth, and finding her own happiness. She has had her share of challenges, including dealing with negative emotions and the public's perception of her, but her priorities involve spending quality time with her children and running lucrative businesses.
“I would definitely say pray, pray as much as you can. Try to take your emotions out of your reactions to things because it’s always going to be something that you don't like in the situation.”
“With my kids, I'm very hands-on. I’m team mother with soccer kids, and they don't really make no goals because they like five years old, but I'm there cheering them on every week,” she jokes. “I want to travel, especially this summer, with my kids and take them somewhere internationally because they're at the age where they can handle a long flight. So, me just spending more time and more new experiences with my kids is my main focus with them and showing them all the love that I could possibly give them.”
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Photo courtesy of Crystal Renay