And the winner, by totally random selection, is Shey Lyn Zanotti! Congratulations! I’ll shoot you an email with more info shortly.
Thanks to everyone who commented!
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by Golda Poretsky, H.H.C.
www.bodylovewellness.com
About a week ago, I received a really lovely e-mail from Dennis at Aurorae Yoga asking if I’d be willing to review one of their mats.
I usually say no to review requests, but I checked out their site, and their mats looked so appealing that I agreed to try it.
The first yoga classes I ever took were in the wrestling room at my college’s gym, where the floors were so padded that we never needed mats. It was a rude awakening when I later took a yoga class at a regular gym and found that a mat on a hardwood floor left me with an achy back and knees. I’ve experimented over the years with different solutions, trying varieties of mats, and even using two mats –often finding that that didn’t really work as the mats didn’t stick to each other very well.
At the same time, I often encourage my clients do practice yoga for all sorts of reasons, from stress reduction to adding in healthy exercise. And yet, I’ve often had trouble recommending a yoga mat that really supports plus sized bodies.
When I received the mat about 2 days later, it didn’t look much thicker than a normal mat. I unrolled it on the hardwood floor in the living room, as I eyed my cushier looking area rug longingly.
I hadn’t done a long yoga session in while, but decided to use Megan Garcia’s Megayoga (which I love) and add a few poses on to that. All in all, I spent about an hour doing a variety of postures, mainly of the beginner, Hatha variety, on the mat.
My experience using this mat was really wonderful. I didn’t find my lower back hurting. I could do calf/cow to my heart’s content and not feel like I was putting extra pressure on my knee joints. I felt the way I like to feel from yoga — centered, relaxed, lengthened, without the unnecessary achiness so often caused by inferior mats.
One note — while I loved that the mat was 4″ longer than most mats, I also wished it was 4″ wider than most mats to accommodate broader shoulders.
So here’s the coolest part, Aurorae Yoga is giving away a FREE MAT to a randomly chosen commenter here at the Body Love Wellness Blog! To enter, comment below and let me know your favorite yoga posture (or, if you haven’t tried yoga yet, you can let me know that instead) and the color mat that you would like. Submit a comment by December 30th at 11:59PM. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced on January 4th!
EDIT: I forgot to mention stickiness. I found it to have just the right level of stickiness. I didn’t find myself slipping as I got sweatier, which is awesome. The packaging also includes some notes on how to make it more sticky, which, of course, I can’t find at the moment. Thanks, Colleen, for reminding me to point out this important feature!
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
[New Post] Review & Contest! Extra Thick Yoga Mat From Aurorae Yoga — Winner Announcement! – via #twitoaster http://www.bodylovewellness.com/2010/01/...
Believe it or not, I actually love tree pose. I am not that good at it, but it is fun to try and balance.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I could not have said it better. This is a matter that is that I often think about and I thought you covered it impeccably. I recently started keeping a blog as well but I’m not extremelytalented at it yet. Would like to look at more of your site and I’ll unquestionably come back again!
Glad you liked it! Best of luck with your blog. Feel free to add your name to the newsletter for updates!
Thanks to everyone who entered! The winner will be announced on January 4th. Happy New Year!
I love headstands because they put me in a completely different state of mind! I also seem to like violet like everybody else=)
Shey, that is awesome. I have yet to do a headstand myself. :)
Hey, Shey Lynn, you won! I tried to email you but it got bounced. Please shoot me an email so that we can get you your yoga mat!
I love double pigeon! It is one of the only yoga poses that comes naturally to my fairly inflexible body. It also feels good.
I totally want one of these thick mats now!! This totally explains why my knee has been hurting since I started doing yoga in August!
I don’t think I know that one. I’m gonna have to try it out!
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?
You can link to this post if you wish. My twitter is @bodylovewellnes.
Child’s Pose is my favorite pose. I love a really good stretch. I’d like the mat in Ocean (blue’s my favorite color. :)
Thanks for your comment, FashionableNerd. I love child’s pose too.
I’ve been thinking for a while that I should try yoga. I’d love to have the violet mat!
Awesome! I hope you do!
I like the violet mat, and my favorite pose is warrior II…because it makes me feel fierce!
Rock on!
Half-pigeon! I love how my hips gradually sink deeper into it the more I breathe and allow… Reminds me of the process of surrender.
xo
Me too! Thanks, Angela!
I was afraid to try yoga because I am a large lady, but contest or not, this spurs me to take a class. Best part? I have not many dollars, but I just found a place that is “pay what you can” so no excuses!
(I’m still scared.)
It’s perfectly normal to be a little scared of something you haven’t tried before–even if it’s something you want to do. We all get “performance anxiety”. Just remember that most people in an exercise class are WAY to preoccupied with what they’re doing to notice/care what you’re doing. If they do actually have time to observe, they need to work harder.
What your yoga teacher will remind you of (if they’re doing their job) is that you must work at a level appropriate to you. Don’t look around and feel bad if you can’t “get” a pose right away or go into it very deeply. Size doesn’t make much difference in that regard.
For instance, I have very loose ligaments, and can do most stretches easily (hip openers aren’t really openers for me). But binding during a seated twist? Never been able to do it, and other can do it easily. I may get there someday, maybe not. I’ll keep trying but I won’t worry about it.
I suppose I’m nervous about being the sweatiest and the fattest there- silly, I know.
You’ll feel better once you’ve attended a class or two.
I used to tease a friend of mine who was VERY self-conscious in classes by saying, “What makes you so special that everyone will be looking at you?” She’d usually laugh and calm down. It’s also something I tell myself when I start worrying that everyone is looking at me.
As for sweaty–very individual. I’m overweight and don’t really sweat much. I never have. I’ve been in classes with skinny individuals (like my DH) who sweat buckets with the slightest exertion.
Go and have a good time.
Can I just say how much I love to see commenters supporting one another like this?!
Colleen — thanks for your comments.
Xenu01 — Is there any chance that you’re in NYC? There are a few yoga classes just for bigger bodies, like Megan Garcia’s classes (look her up at megayoga.com). Also, Re/Dress, one of the most awesome plus size stores ever, is in Brooklyn, and they’re starting to have yoga classes there too. You might be surprised at what you find if you do some searching. And, when you have a moment, go to http://www.bodylovewellness.com/tag/body-movement/ which might just give you the oomph to say fuck it (pardon my language) and go to a class. Trust me, even if you’re the fattest, you won’t be the sweatiest. :) I’m rooting for you, darlin’!
Props for even thinking about it. The first step is always the hardest. I had a yoga teacher I absolutely loved in NYC at yogablissnyc.com . I’ve also heard wonderful things about Megayoga.
Hi!
If you want to ease your way into it I would really highly recommend Abby Lentz’s heavyweight yoga DVDs. She has all kinds of modifications and is an awesome teacher. You can find her stuff at http://www.heartfeltyoga.com. (Since I’m in Austin I’ve had the chance to take class from her live and she is fantastic)
Have fun :)
Thanks for the recommendation, Ragen!
What a great contest! I need a new yoga mat desperately.
My favorite pose is Happy Baby. It just feels good and is somewhat silly :)
For the color, I like violet, but would take any color if I win!
Thanks so much!
One final question–how is the mat for “stickiness”? My classes are in a place that keeps the studio at about 75-80F (Ashtanga, not Bikram). I get terribly sweaty hands and it seems no matter how hard I try I have to keep wiping my hands or I slide in poses like downward dog.
Thanks for reminding me Colleen! Please see above! And thanks for sharing your favorite asanas!
I forgot colour–my first choice would be “Violet” and the second, “Solar”. Thanks!
The review is much appreciated! There are so many mats out there, and it’s really hard to know which ones work until they’re tested “in the field”.
Thanks!
My favourite asanas are Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee Forward Bend) and Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulder Stand).
After four years away from yoga, I’m working my way back up to Salamba Sirsasana and Pincha Mayurasana.
Cool! I like warrior pose because it opens up my hips! I almost never put my arm above my head the first time without hearing that very satisfying joint pop. :) Oh, and I’d love a Seamist mat!
I love warrior pose too. :)