How To Spoil a Yogi
Perhaps it’s not what you think......
I’m afraid to write about being spoiled in hard times. I know this is a post about privilege and being able to afford these things, but rest assured I also know that many are suffering.
I too have lost most of my income, most of my book sales, most of the yoga studios where I teach, most of my students and most of my mojo. But I have not lost my light. B.K.S. Iyengar once said that yoga is a light, and once lit it can never dim.
My faith still exists, but I also nurture it to keep going. If you are interested in how to spoil a yogi in your life, perhaps for Mother’s Day, read on.
Two Yoga Mats
I practice with two mats. I line them up side by side so when I need to go to the wall for inversions or deeper work, I don’t have to set one up vertically. One mat, a B Mat, is very sticky. I did not know there was such a thing as too sticky until I got this mat. You cannot slide a foot along it for extra length. So I pair it with my trusted Manduka Pro. The Manduka gives slightly more cushion as well.
A Dedicated Space
I know not everyone can set up a dedicated space, but it makes such a difference in a home practice. I have a corner in my house that is all mine. If you can create a puja – or a small table with the things that bring you joy – and keep your mat always open nearby, then it will remind you that your practice is waiting.
Props and More Props
This year I invested in a Feet Up headstand trainer. I lost the ability to do a headstand when an accident fractured my neck. This has made such a difference to be able to hop up anytime.
I also have a lot of props. Of course, as a teacher, I own props because I used to teach out of my home. But if that wasn’t the case, this is what I would use.
6 Yoga Blocks – Why six? You can do a press up handstand with six, and I set up 2 at each end of my mats so I never have to reach for one during practice.
2 Yoga Belts/Straps – Why 2? An 8 foot strap will take care of most of your needs without a lot of tail flying around and smacking you in the face, but every now and then you’ll need a 10 foot strap. You could solve this by owning a 10 foot strap, but again, this is about being spoiled, not practical.
4 Blankets. A Yoga Blanket is an extremely versatile piece of equipment. I haven’t practiced without a blanket in years. Why four? You can simulate a bolster with four, and you can use one to prop your head, one over your body for warmth, and one under each knee in a supported Cobbler’s Pose for Savasana. Once you’ve tried it, you may never go back to lying on a cold, hard floor.
A Yoga Wheel. This prop is pure nonsense, but it is also delightful to place under your back. My spine is 60 years of stiff, so any help with backbends is welcome.
2 Yoga Chairs. A backless Iyengar yoga chair is expensive, so why two? You can set them up together for a variety of inversions and backbends. Again, spoiled, not practical.
A Yoga Bolster – You can simulate this with four blankets, but every now and then you might need blankets and a bolster for a pose.
Props Galore – bolsters, blocks, blankets and more.
Knee Padding
I have titanium knees so I can’t mess around with my knee support. You can use a blanket under a knee to give extra cushion, but it might slide around. I have a mat just for the knees. You can use a kneeling pad like one uses for gardening, or you can also cut up an old yoga mat to use for extra support.
The Internet
Even though I have a home practice, I also have a very human tendency to avoid my mat. I can lie on a couch and read for days. For movement motivation, I made a conscious habit to visit my friends and teachers on the internet.
I don’t want to recommend one over another. I practice with perhaps 25 different teachers every month. I practice with two or three diligently. If it’s Friday, then it’s ..... If it’s Saturday, then it’s ......
I’ve made joining a live class a conscious habit. If this is financially unfeasible, reach out to the teacher or studio. Scholarships are available. I also use a pre-recorded service but to be honest, it brings me less joy. So if you are looking for some motivation, I am happy to recommend teachers and services if you reach out to me by email.
Please don’t hate me because I’m spoiled! I have acquired many of these things over 25 years of practice and Mother’s Day gifts. One person’s luxury may be another’s sanity. Honestly, if I didn’t have yoga during this pandemic, I don’t know if I would have survived. Drop me a note below and let me know how you spoil yourself on the mat.
Take care of yourself, and the rest will follow.
Michelle Marchildon is the Yogi Muse. She is an award-winning writer and the author of four books on yoga. She is also a very spoiled yogi in Denver, Colorado.