Yoga Roundup #1 (with Giveaway)

UPDATED WITH WINNER AT BOTTOM

(This is a jam-packed post with 3 reviews and a giveaway. Read or at least scan all the way to the bottom.)

Upfront disclaimer: I received a free sample of each product for purposes of sharing my honest opinions.

#1: Yoga-Paws.

I've been practicing yoga for nearly 3 years now, and there is just one thing that holds me back (besides a lack of flexibility and strength and balance):

Sweat. Specifically, on my hands. It keeps me from being able to go more deeply into basic poses such as Downward Dog, in which about half your body weight is on your palms, which must be stable on the mat.

I have tried a hand-towel, which has helped, but I still experience slippage when there is an abundance of internal or external heat and the resulting sweat. Which is nearly every session.

Image from PPOnline.

So I was very excited to try Yoga-Paws.

They're billed as "mini-mats," since you simply place the hand-paws and foot-paws on your extremities and you're set to do yoga on any smooth surface, even without a mat.

Yoga-Paws put eco-friendly mat material right on your palms and soles to help you keep from skidding. There is also mesh netting to help keep you cool on the non-contact sides of your hands and feet, allowing them to breathe.

I've used Yoga-Paws for several yoga sessions now on a mat, and here are my findings. The hand-paws work very well in avoiding sweaty skids. I was able to hold poses longer and get into them more deeply thanks to the stability of my hands -- so I got what I sought.

When at classes at my gym, on a hardwood floor, I have no problems at all. Oddly, though, at the yoga studio, where there is a linoleum floor, the webbing between my fingers (that hold the paws on) bother me with chafing. I am not sure if or why the flooring would account for the difference, but I did want to share my observation.

The foot-paws are not as imperative for me, since I don't have much trouble with foot skid. But in using the foot-paws I did feel a little more stable on upright balance poses (such as Tree).

However, when I flowed into horizontal standing poses (such as Warrior 3) , I realized that there is a subtle adjustment I must make in my foundation when I wear the foot-paws. It changes my balance just a skosh, making me more conscious of my lower body. Not a bad thing. I'm sure as I practice with foot-paws, I will get used to my new "stable."

Image: WebThatWorks

Yoga-Paws are $35 for a set that includes both hand and foot paws. Also included is a mesh carrying bag.

Yoga-Paws join my mat and my water bottle in my yoga kit. See below for giveaway information.

#2: Chant Dance

I've been listening to Sonic Bliss for a couple of weeks now, and one time it even led to a Perfect Moment.

Each of the 7 lengthy songs make me want to move and sway and release -- joyously. The chants use ancient Sanskrit words that evoke love, joy, peace harmony, rejuvenation, balance. I especially love Remover of Obstacles (Mantra to Ganesha) and Goddess Power (Mantra to Kali and Durgha, about the cycle of death and rebirth). The CD insert gives insight into each song's meaning and purpose. This is my first introduction to Bliss Wood, and I'll be checking out more of her stuff. $19.

#3: New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours

OK, this isn't a yoga book, but it is a delightful and short (140 pages) manual on small things we can do to save the world.

The chapters, which are not necessarily meant to be read consecutively, are designated by time -- times of day or week or year -- with small do-able tips on living more mindful of our interconnection with each other and the earth. For example:

• Chapter 2: Stop & Go has a short section on "A/C or Windows?"
• Chapter 5: Surf's Up has a suggestion to add your favorite charity to your email signature
• Chapter 9: Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out is full of tips to remover clutter and make the world a better place
• Chapter 11: Happy Holidays details the impact you have on the world if you declare one "Buy Nothing Day."
  

You don't have to be a Big Shot or do Big Things to make a different in your world. Authors Sam Davidson and Stephen Moseley intend to get many people doing millions of small things. Consciously. $12.

GIVEAWAY info

Yoga-Paws is offering a giveaway of one set of Yoga-Paws to a lucky All Thumbs commenter. Leave a comment below by 6 am MDT on June 8. Using random.org, we'll select a winner and let the winner know either in this space or by email (if available). Yoga-Paws will be sent directly from the kind people over here .

You can get extra entries by tweeting this post (if you're already on Twitter, just click the ReTweet button at the bottom of this post), by linking to this post on your own blog, or by putting the All Thumbs button on your blog. Just come back to let us know where to find your shout-outs.

A reminder that we HUGELY appreciate you telling your friends about AllThumbs and spreading the word on your blog with this button so that we can keep these giveaways coming.

RANDOM.ORG spit out #2

So the winner is Campbell. Thanks to everyone for entering and for supporting All Thumbs! Another yoga post with giveaway will come June 15.

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