It's the season to give!
And what better way to give than to put a little thought into your yogi friend or your friend who is interested in yoga! Do a little research, has your friend read this or that book? has he or she tried the castor oil bath? Does he or she love coffee or tea? Then, after gathering the info, here are 9 suggestions to chose from.
BOOKS
Because some yogis love to read, you can chose one of these below and wrap it up nicely, or deliver it electronically with an e-card, yogis are catching up to the e-technologies!
A Book for Every Student/Teacher
This is a book that every yoga student AND teacher needs to read. It is fascinating, down to earth, very appropriate for our times and gives poignant, discriminating advise. It's sure to make your yoga friend a happy camper by the fire while curled up reading, especially the chapter on the issues that a teacher may find that are, well, not so pleasant. Here is a review of the book I wrote a few months ago.
On Adjusting Poses
If your friend is an Ashtangi he or she will loooooove this book: The Art of Adjusting. It goes over the primary series and it is one that will help newcomers to the practice because of the tips and also help people who are way more advanced (2nd, 3rd, 4th series) because they will probably be teaching at some point soon.
If your friend is not an ashtangi he or she may still love the book, it has great tips for many yoga poses which, well, just happens to be in the primary series. See my full review to understand why it makes a great present.
21 Things To Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice
is a great present for the beginner who is curious about yoga, specifically Ashtanga! I wrote the book as a response to comments that said that Ashtanga seemed interesting but intimidating and put with its pages everything I wish I had known about the practice before I started. So far it has gotten some pretty good reviews.
By the way, those of you who got into the first 32 comments at my recent giveaway, I am shipping the books today, so look in your mailbox next week and enjoy the read!
TEA
Many yogis go by the "no coffee no prana" mantra that comes from South India, way within the depths of the Mysore shala, but some of us (including me) have switched to the "no tea no chi", which Nobel came up with!
I tried the Two Leaves and a Bud tea because it was the one available at a shop I walked into while visiting San Francisco and there is no going back for me. No, I do not get money from it, I just love the taste of it. It has the perfect balance of flavor and strength. I am enjoying their Darjeeling blend daily these days... They also deliver which is great.
OIL SET
Yogis work hard at their practice and oils help ease those muscle tensions, and relax the body as well as purify toxins and restore balance! So...
If you are into making a home made basket of presents you could try an oil set!. For example, you could add Castor Oil (print this post for instructions and add it to the basket) and a bottle of Lemon/Citric Castle Bath Soap to remove it!. Also add some Sesame Oil, or Almond Oil. Play with it. Maybe you could include a nice soft comfy towel and make it all look very pretty.
CANDLES
Some Yogis practice Tratak (staring at a candle) before bed to cleanse the optical nerves. Yogis are all about cleaning and cleaning and oiling and massaging! The good news is that candles burn fast so there is always a chance your yogi friend may love a pretty candle.
You could get creative and make a set with your favorite colors, or get one color of candle for each chakra and call it your chakra set! Make sure they are organic, sustainable candles to take all guilt trips out of the picture.
A DRY BRUSH
I have started practicing the art of dry-brushing my skin every day and I am loving the results, a nice glow, a healthy appearance, open pores! What is not to like? See here for how I came into it. You can find dry-skin brushes at your local health food store.
A YOGA MEMBERSHIP TRIAL
This may not work for everyone, but if you know that your friend is curious yet hesitant about committing to a practice you could get them a trial membership at your studio so they can get their feet in the water!
Many studios will do trials as a way to attract new people into the practice, talk to your reception desk. Aaaand if you would like to try a Mysore experience I know that PureYoga in NYC (where I go) does them so let me know if you are interested, and go ahead, step into the room and take that first group ujjaji breath!
INCENSES
Some yogis (not all so this probably applies only if you know your friend well) love the smell of incense after practice, it helps clear the energy of the room and switch from practice into neutrality, or prepare the space for the next activity.
Make sure they are good quality incenses, it is recommended to find a good variety even if it costs a bit more, your yogi friend will appreciate it.
---
And there you have it!
Make the yogi or potential yogi in your life happy and feel the nice vibrations of giving. May we all be happy!
And what better way to give than to put a little thought into your yogi friend or your friend who is interested in yoga! Do a little research, has your friend read this or that book? has he or she tried the castor oil bath? Does he or she love coffee or tea? Then, after gathering the info, here are 9 suggestions to chose from.
BOOKS
Because some yogis love to read, you can chose one of these below and wrap it up nicely, or deliver it electronically with an e-card, yogis are catching up to the e-technologies!
A Book for Every Student/Teacher
This is a book that every yoga student AND teacher needs to read. It is fascinating, down to earth, very appropriate for our times and gives poignant, discriminating advise. It's sure to make your yoga friend a happy camper by the fire while curled up reading, especially the chapter on the issues that a teacher may find that are, well, not so pleasant. Here is a review of the book I wrote a few months ago.
On Adjusting Poses
If your friend is an Ashtangi he or she will loooooove this book: The Art of Adjusting. It goes over the primary series and it is one that will help newcomers to the practice because of the tips and also help people who are way more advanced (2nd, 3rd, 4th series) because they will probably be teaching at some point soon.
If your friend is not an ashtangi he or she may still love the book, it has great tips for many yoga poses which, well, just happens to be in the primary series. See my full review to understand why it makes a great present.
21 Things To Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice
is a great present for the beginner who is curious about yoga, specifically Ashtanga! I wrote the book as a response to comments that said that Ashtanga seemed interesting but intimidating and put with its pages everything I wish I had known about the practice before I started. So far it has gotten some pretty good reviews.
 |
| In these days where you can gift electronic books it is also very cost efficient (at 99 cents!) |
TEA
Many yogis go by the "no coffee no prana" mantra that comes from South India, way within the depths of the Mysore shala, but some of us (including me) have switched to the "no tea no chi", which Nobel came up with!
I tried the Two Leaves and a Bud tea because it was the one available at a shop I walked into while visiting San Francisco and there is no going back for me. No, I do not get money from it, I just love the taste of it. It has the perfect balance of flavor and strength. I am enjoying their Darjeeling blend daily these days... They also deliver which is great.
 |
| They also have some interesting Tea-ware, I personally just go for the tea |
OIL SET
Yogis work hard at their practice and oils help ease those muscle tensions, and relax the body as well as purify toxins and restore balance! So...
If you are into making a home made basket of presents you could try an oil set!. For example, you could add Castor Oil (print this post for instructions and add it to the basket) and a bottle of Lemon/Citric Castle Bath Soap to remove it!. Also add some Sesame Oil, or Almond Oil. Play with it. Maybe you could include a nice soft comfy towel and make it all look very pretty.
 |
| Yogis do pamper themselves |
Some Yogis practice Tratak (staring at a candle) before bed to cleanse the optical nerves. Yogis are all about cleaning and cleaning and oiling and massaging! The good news is that candles burn fast so there is always a chance your yogi friend may love a pretty candle.
You could get creative and make a set with your favorite colors, or get one color of candle for each chakra and call it your chakra set! Make sure they are organic, sustainable candles to take all guilt trips out of the picture.
A DRY BRUSH
I have started practicing the art of dry-brushing my skin every day and I am loving the results, a nice glow, a healthy appearance, open pores! What is not to like? See here for how I came into it. You can find dry-skin brushes at your local health food store.
 |
| A great gift for the winter (dry) season |
A YOGA MEMBERSHIP TRIAL
This may not work for everyone, but if you know that your friend is curious yet hesitant about committing to a practice you could get them a trial membership at your studio so they can get their feet in the water!
Many studios will do trials as a way to attract new people into the practice, talk to your reception desk. Aaaand if you would like to try a Mysore experience I know that PureYoga in NYC (where I go) does them so let me know if you are interested, and go ahead, step into the room and take that first group ujjaji breath!
INCENSES
Some yogis (not all so this probably applies only if you know your friend well) love the smell of incense after practice, it helps clear the energy of the room and switch from practice into neutrality, or prepare the space for the next activity.
Make sure they are good quality incenses, it is recommended to find a good variety even if it costs a bit more, your yogi friend will appreciate it.
---
And there you have it!
Make the yogi or potential yogi in your life happy and feel the nice vibrations of giving. May we all be happy!
Absolutely the best post of gift giving I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteThank you, for taking time to put this together.
My greatest Christmas wish is for peace, and let it begin with me.
Thank you WM :-)
ReplyDeleteI was trying to find a theme for the day when I read your blog and saw the last line: "May we all be happy". It's perfect.
ReplyDelete