Like with African culture, African cuisine is equally colorful and full of taste. It offers a wide variety of veggies, fruits, and spices. Centuries of trade and colonialism have brought numerous influences. While African cuisine is still somewhat of a blur within the Western World, there is a sense of interest at farmer’s markets and specialized stores that focus on imports. 

To start your day in a nutritious way, oats are a very African way of starting things off right. You can soak them overnight in a cup of vegan milk, or what I like to do is pour a boiling cup of water over the oats and garnish them with fruit. If you still wish to add a little creaminess, you can always soak chia seeds in three times as much vegan milk for about half an hour and add that to your oats.

Another quick and easy breakfast food is vegan cornbread. It is a delicious substitute for any of the carbs that you normally enjoy. It can be both savory and sweet. And it is a perfect snack to enjoy with a little bit of butter at any time of the day.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of corn
• 1 cup of Kamut flour
• 1 teaspoon of soda bicarbonate
• A pinch of sea salt
• Half a cup of butter—I like to use Ghee, as it’s easily made by heating up butter for so long that it crystalizes
• Half a cup of coconut sugar
• 1 cup of non-dairy milk
• A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of cornmeal

To prepare, simply mix the dry ingredients separately from the wet ones, mix them with a whisk, pour it into a baking sheet, and bake for about half an hour. 

If you like to have lunch early, one of the best things I have adopted so far are crepes with which you can scoop up different stews. Here’s one simple version of a crepe. Make flatbread with chickpea flour. The only ingredient you need for it is ground chickpeas to which you add water and spices. Make it into a beautiful rainbow-like wrap by adding as many veggies as you like. The more colorful, the healthier!

While my lunches normally consist mainly of vegetables, I like to pair them with nutritious red lentils. They are a very African thing. Plus, they add sweet creaminess to any dish you include them in. You can always add them to collard greens that you sprinkle with spices like cardamom and coriander and have a hearty lunch ready in a matter of minutes.

Veggies are so much fun to work with. I like to prepare curried chickpeas, simply grilling them on some olive oil and sautéed onions, adding red paprika, curry powder, and a splash of water, then cooking for an additional 20 minutes. In the end, I add a splash of coconut cream to it and a couple of leaves of parsley. Separately, bake sweet potatoes and stuff them with the broth you have just made. I cannot explain the richness of the taste, but you can always try making it yourself.

If you’re a little apprehensive of sweet potatoes, you can always stuff bread bowls with chickpeas in the same way, but I can’t tell you how much of taste you’re missing that way.

Alternatively, here’s a twist on baked potatoes that steals the show. Dip thin slices of potatoes in coconut flour that you previously sprinkled with turmeric. Did I mention how good they are?

There are so many different dishes to try from African cuisine that I haven’t even started. So, be on a look for new ones. African cuisine is something very primal, and it should be on the radar of all the potential food bloggers. 

Yoga rеtrеаtѕ аrе оffеrеd thrоughоut thе уеаr оffеring сlаѕѕiсаllу-bаѕеd рrасtiсе оr creatively-explored аррrоасhеѕ tо all fоrmѕ оf уоgа, mеditаtiоn, ѕеlf-inԛuirу, nаturе аnd dеер ѕilеnсе. Thiѕ creates аn еnvirоnmеnt fоr dеереning уоur practice, реrѕоnаl rеnеwаl аnd spiritual reflection. Yoga to bеаutiful оutdооr locations can givе уоu timе to explore beaches, mоuntаinѕ оr оthеr lаndѕсареѕ, hаvе massages or juѕt thе lосаl сulturе. Yоgа rеtrеаtѕ are оffеrеd all over thе wоrld. Yoga vасаtiоnѕ аnd rеtrеаtѕ аrе an uрlifting journey intо self.

Fun Rеtrеаtѕ 

Yoga retreats are also саѕuаl, fun yoga rеtrеаtѕ where all ages аnd levels саn раrtiсiраtе. Sоmе аrе dedicated tо promoting thе authentic ѕрirituаl trаditiоn of in a ѕресtасulаr еnvirоnmеnt. Thеrе are a hugе numbеr оf уоgа rеtrеаtѕ available in a number оf wоndеrful аnd powerful locations. I highly recommend a rеtrеаt fоr spiritual ѕееkеrѕ of all levels, оr fоr реорlе juѕt lооking for a timе оf innеr реасе in a bеаutiful оutdооr ѕеtting fоr a fеw dауѕ. Caribbean rеtrеаtѕ are еvеn аvаilаblе. Most will оffеr уоu itineraries with twо уоgа classes dаilу, ѕоmе timе fоr meditation, guided аnd personal hiking and lоtѕ оf frее timе tо еxрlоrе and соnnесt with nаturе. Thеу also uѕuаllу fеаturе ѕumрtuоuѕ organic fооdѕ. Uniԛuе уоgа retreats provide a widе array оf yoga еxреriеnсеѕ in соmbinаtiоn with just аbоut аnу tуре оf diverse аnd соmрlimеntаrу асtivitу you wоuld want. 

Yоgа Rеtrеаt

Rеtrеаtѕ аrе a wonderful wау to give уоurѕеlf a wеll-dеѕеrvеd vасаtiоn, mееt new friеndѕ аnd try ѕоmеthing new. The retreats аnd the fantastic реорlе met аrе ѕресiаl аnd thеrе are opportunities to соnnесt аnd сrеаtе lоnglаѕting friendships. Whеn уоu аttеnd a yoga retreat, it’ѕ аn орроrtunitу tо reflect and rе-еvаluаtе уоur еntirе life frоm a muсh diffеrеnt реrѕресtivе. A lоt more thаn a раmреr оr hеаlth hоlidау, thе retreat offers a роtеntiаllу lifе-сhаnging еxреriеnсе. At times thе rеtrеаt iѕ a jоurnеу tо thе hеаrt, аnd yet at other times it’ѕ аn еxреriеnсе оf frееdоm аnd innеr jоу, оr a ѕеnѕе of соnnесtеdnеѕѕ. The effects can often bе felt fоr wееkѕ after thе retreat iѕ оvеr and thiѕ саn сrеаtе a grеаt opportunity for one hugе lifесhаnging еxреriеnсе.

Yоgа Rеtrеаt Aсtivitiеѕ 

Yоgа аnd mеditаtiоn iѕ usually оffеrеd dаilу (for example frоm 7am-9am), рrаnауаmа, chanting, rеlаxаtiоn аnd pilates аnd various activities аnd other rituаlѕ thrоughоut the dау, of соurѕе this all vаriеѕ bаѕеd оn whiсh rеtrеаt уоu choose, ѕо mаkе ѕurе you find one with a gооd bаlаnсе оf асtivitiеѕ thаt intеrеѕt you. Thе оutсоmе is uѕuаllу аn inсrеdiblе аmоunt оf time fоr уоu tо rеlаx аnd rеjuvеnаtе. Some even оffеr a сhаnсе tо nurturе thе body аnd release unwanted tеnѕiоn inсluding еxсеllеnt оnѕitе massage, оr an орроrtunitу tо сlеаnѕе the entire body оf tоxinѕ whiсh mау build uр frоm a рооr diеt оr lack оf еxеrсiѕе.

Advаntаgеѕ оf Yоgа Rеtrеаtѕ 

A rеtrеаt is оftеn a time tо disconnect frоm thе entire оutеr wоrld, аnd to rе-соnnесt with your оwn inner ѕоul. It’ѕ аn еxсеllеnt chance to hаvе a yoga experience and tо immеrѕе уоurѕеlf in рrасtiсе in a ѕuрроrtivе аnd healing environment аll аt the ѕаmе timе. Yоgа hоlidауѕ are аlѕо аvаilаblе, giving you аbilitу tо tаkе a vасаtiоn аnd еxреriеnсе a уоgа rеtrеаt during busy hоlidау timеѕ – this iѕ еѕресiаllу hеlрful fоr ѕinglеѕ or оthеrѕ who may nоt hаvе a сlоѕе fаmilу tо enjoy thе hоlidауѕ with. Mаnу timеѕ a rеtrеаt iѕ dеѕignеd for уоu to find rest, rеlаxаtiоn, and a рlасе for rеflесtiоn аnd grоwth in a natural environment. Some companies еvеn offer customized реrѕоnаl retreats thаt will lеt you fit it to your оwn schedule. A уоgа vacation, hоlidау, gеtаwау оr rеtrеаt offers thе ultimаtе орроrtunitу fоr a hеаlthу, fun аnd fаntаѕtiс аdvеnturе tо exotic рlасеѕ, оr interesting рlасеѕ close tо hоmе. So, pack a few comfy yoga leggings and give yoga retreats a try. 

In the life of a sportsman, the type of workout attire he/she uses enhances skills and performance. Yoga may not necessarily be a game, but it’s no different.

Although most yoga programs are performed barefoot, there are some exceptions where shoes can be used. There are shoes that are specifically meant to serve the yogini community and have been proven to be indispensable yielding positive results.

Therefore, come summer season, you have the opportunity to take your yoga practices outdoors with no worries that you will end up being hurt provided you make sure your footwear is proper.
With an increasing number of yoga enthusiasts, the number of shoe manufacturers is also exploding. 

There are countless types of yoga shoes; so, choosing the right design tends to be tedious. But after serious research, choosing the right yoga shoe has been made easier, as you only need to know the following key features: 

• Cushion and aesthetic
• Overall support and flexibility
• Proper grip
• Breathability fabric

Below are our seven best yoga shoes fit for any form of yoga in which your choice depends entirely on your taste and your specific preferences.

Shusox

The Shusox yoga shoe is one of a kind. It has a waterproof option that leaves your feet feeling as if you are wearing socks. It’s an excellent choice for any yoga to die hard. It has a form fit that guarantees maximum comfort, therefore, it can be used in any level of yoga. 

The outsole has treads that are there to resist any slip. It also has a breathable fabric which combats moisture build-ups on your feet.
It is uniquely durable as it is made of a material that is able to withstand a test of time even after being constantly “abused”.

Fitskicks active footwear

The Fitkicks yoga shoes are the perfect package when a summer season kicks in. Wearing them on the beach will give you zero worries about stickers, rocks or any other form of harm to your feet.
They are also appealing to your eyes thanks to the appealing design. Plus they dry quickly thereby guaranteeing you a smooth session on the beach.
They have a Flexform sole that helps in swift movement and support.

Vibram Alitza Loop

The Vibram Alitza Loop is a very good pair of shoes for yoga enthusiasts. It is very flexible and serves a lot of comfort, thus, it can be used in different categories of yoga practices. It has tough treads that make it easier for yogis to stay firm, irrespective of the surface.
The shoe fits the whole footwell, including the toes just like hand gloves. This gives the users the natural, almost-barefoot feel.

NBERA 2econdskin

Are you a yoga fanatic looking for a bit of a fashion taste? The NBERA 2econdskin is a perfect match for you. It comes in 12 different colors that you can choose from, depending on your taste and mood.

As its title name suggests, this yoga shoe interacts with your body motion or involves a natural feeling (second skin) while keeping the feet clean during yoga practice areas.
Moreover, the NBERA shoe is made of a durable material that doesn’t inflict blisters on your feet.

CIOR Barefoot

You can enjoy fundamental yoga styles with these shoes as they provide a low profile covering of the feet and are extremely comfortable and breathable.
These shoes provide sufficient comfort on your feet while maintaining a barefoot sensation. This enables yogis to execute all styles in their programs with a lot of ease.
The Cior barefoot shoes come in different styles, colors, and even patterns, therefore, you can easily find the one that fully appeals to your eyes.

Women’s VI-S Fitness and Yoga Shoe

It is a hybrid design that can serve two purposes. It can be worn as a stylish walking shoe and as a cross-trainer.
It has a good-looking mesh cover which is made of durable material to make your vinyasa session seamless. 

NuFoot Betsy Lou

The NuFoot Betsy Lou is lightweight, comfy, and flexible shoes that give you a barefoot feeling while worn. They are super cute shoes, therefore, adding bliss to your collection.
The shoes are super-lightweight and thin that you may forget you are wearing something on. This comes with a lot of benefits as you can do any yoga stage without discomfort.

In conclusion

Yoga is founded on the principles of being comfortable. Wearing uncomfortable yoga shoes flies in the face of this principle. You wouldn’t be comfortable practicing your sessions while on the other hand, the shoes are pinching you to the last toe. Therefore finding the right yoga shoe to protect you against germs, injuries and muscle soreness is like winning a lottery.

Life throws unexpected challenges all the time; that funny tingling we sometimes get in our fingers; our children who don’t seem to be making friends at school like we thought they would, or maybe having a boss that continually doublechecks all of our work. We worry all the time; we wonder if there is something wrong with our health; if your little one is being picked up at school or even if our bosses think we are not capable of doing our job. 

It’s hard to not worry; and often, it keeps us up at night. Some of us develop anxiety from all the worry we create in ourselves, causing us to suffer from physical symptoms. Yes, we create it ourselves; and in turn, we cause our bodies to fight back. They give us physical discomfort in an effort to warn us that by worrying, we are harming our bodies. 

Remember Yoga’s Teachings

The Buddha states, “Be where you are; otherwise, you will miss life.” Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, also states, “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” So, why do we have such a hard time following these beliefs? 

I’m going to ask you to do something that may seem contrary to what these two ancient greats said. I would like you to think of an instance in the past where something made you so worried. It may be getting accepted into a good university or college or not knowing if your date was someone you could see a future with; now, take a look at where you are in your life at this moment.

Do you even remember worrying over those past moments? Do they not seem insignificant to you now? I am willing to bet that you feel silly spending time worrying over those things. How often do you actually remember the time spent worrying? Odds are, you don’t; you only remember the outcome. 

Yes, sometimes the outcome is bad, but it is often not as bad as we anticipate it to be. Most of the time, bad outcomes are ways of driving us forward to something better. We may feel disappointed at first, but down the road, there will be another opportunity for us — we just have to be ready for it and remind ourselves of this. We need to be open to what the world has for us, and this means not worrying about life. 

If you are naturally an anxious person, fear is the eminent, no matter the situation you face. You hate the idea of uncertainty, and this is your only way to cope with it. But guess what? It’s not. When we are afraid, we make the path for clear decision-making foggy; instead of seeing a road with multiple forks in it, we see scary dark trees, strange creatures lurking in the forest, and unnerving sounds. 

Life will always be uncertain; we are not given a roadmap with predictable destinations to follow – and you need to embrace this fact. Think of all the unexpected surprises you have had in life – those with wonderful outcomes. Would these not have been ruined for you if you knew they were coming? 

Dealing with an anxious mind and the worry that often comes with it takes time and cannot be changed overnight. As with all challenges and situations in life, small steps are a great place to start. It can be accomplished by introducing meditation into your life or adapting small changes in the way you think. Sometimes, little reminders to remain positive can work wonders. If the path of yoga follows the belief that we and the universe are all-encompassing, then the real self is beyond conflict, beyond anxiety, and beyond worry – and isn’t that a comforting thought? 

Vacations are meant to be relaxing and a break from your normal routine of work, social engagements, and workouts. While you may want to just cut back completely and spend your vacation on a beach chair drinking margaritas, it might be nice to fit in a couple of gentle workouts to keep the balance in check. Plus, it feels good just to move sometimes. It can be hard to find time to fit in a workout while on a vacation, especially if you’re with a big group that is constantly on the go. So, here are some suggestions for how to fit in a short workout while on vacation.

Suggest an activity for the whole group 

If you’re with a large group of people try suggesting a group walk or hike. This gives everyone an opportunity to spend time together and gives you the opportunity to get your body and metabolism going. Food also becomes the center of socialization sometimes and we overindulge, a hike or walk is a healthier way to catch up.

Participate in a class 

Many resorts and hotels will offer classes and facilities to their patrons. Take advantage of an aerobic pool class since you will probably be lying next to it anyway! If there’s a gym nearby try going for a quick run or walk on the treadmill as you walk down to breakfast.

Pack small equipment  

If you do your research on where you’re going, and you discover there are no options for physical activity, you can possibly bring your own. Small items like a resistance band or jump rope fit easily amongst your items and weigh next to nothing. Packing these will make it easy to get a quick strength or cardio workout in. 

Count your steps  

Set a goal each day for the number of steps you want to take and try to stick to it. If you notice you’ve been sitting a while, try and get up and move to a different location or just take a stroll on the beach, lake, or city wherever you are. This will help keep you active and your step count up!

Choose healthy options

If you can’t find room for more physical activity in your day, try choosing some healthy options at your meals. Obviously enjoy yourself and indulge a little bit but try adding a fruit or vegetable to your plate to keep getting some nutrition in.

A vacation is meant to be enjoyed, try not to worry or focus on keeping up with your health and exercise regimen. Do what feels right for you, whether that be doing something physical every day, just once, or not at all. It is not required to work out each day these are just some suggestions to fit one in if you’re interested. Our bodies require rest as much as they require physical activity and a trip or even a “staycation” is a great opportunity to allow that. I hope you enjoy these suggestions! How do you fit some physical activity in while you’re on vacation?

Finally, you are tired of sitting on the sidelines watching as others get fit. Day in, day out you had been indecisive on what steps you should take. You watched as your next door neighbors started taking yoga classes, silently observing how they are changing and finally deciding to join the train at long last. The next question bugging your mind is where you will start, what type of clothing is expected, and what you must have. Worry not. In the next 5 minutes, we are going to demystify what one should wear in a yoga class.

Yoga is a physical exercise that involves constant interaction with the external environment, including a series of movements meant to achieve a given tangible goal. It requires flexibility, focus, rhythmic breathing, and movements. Any yoga training session must be utilized to the maximum. It, however, cannot be achieved when one is not in the right type of clothing. We find ourselves being out of tune with others, feeling uncomfortable, rigid, and immobile in doing the most basic forms of movements.

Therefore, yoga attire must be comfortable. While this sounds easy, you may be surprised to find out how difficult it is to choose the right type of comfortable clothing that suits you. Both genders should wear clothes that enable them to have complete control of their body movement and those that they can easily stretch in. The clothes should also be light enough to ensure unnecessary sweating. The tops for both genders should also ensure free movements and only exposing parts of your body you are comfortable with.

It is also recommended that women wear leggings and capris or even Harem pants. Those in advanced classes mostly wear harem pants, but as a beginner, one can also decide to wear this type of clothing. The leggings and the capris must be comfortable and able to facilitate movements. Tank tops can also be worn. They promote cooling off and flexibility, and therefore, increases the overall feel-good experience of yoga.

Both genders may decide to wear or not to wear gloves and socks. It is solely dependent on individuals. It is, however, good to note that in some circumstances, it is recommended to wear gloves, socks, or sometimes both to ensure your safety.

To conclude, one should be able to wear what he/she feels comfortable in and conforms to the codes and ethics of the gym they are training in. In case of queries, one should consult with the trainer before deciding to get an idea of what he/she recommends.

Since the beginning of human civilization, every culture in the world has used herbs to treat ailments. In fact, many of our knowledge of medicinal herbs today come from what these ancient civilizations learned thousands of years ago. Even with advances in medicine and health sciences, tried and true methods using the bounty given to us by nature are still alive and well. Thanks to our increasingly globalized world, plants that were confined to countries like China and India are now available for use in the far reaches of the globe. 

Below are some of the best and most multifaceted herbs still in use today: 

Lavender
Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile oils out there. Known most prominently for its strong calming effect, it can be used for sleep and soothing anxiety in addition to bee stings and dry skin.
Try using lavender oil in a diffuser to help you fall asleep, or place a few drops in your palm and rub it on your wrists and temples.  

Aloe Vera
Though aloe vera is technically a succulent, not an herb, the gel contained inside its leaves has so many uses it would be a crime not to include it. Aloe is most commonly used to treat sunburns and rashes, but it can also serve as a hair conditioner, digestive aid, and even mouthwash!
You can either grow your own plant and harvest the gel yourself, or buy 100% pure aloe gel with no additives online or in a local store.

Chamomile
Another wonderful sleep aid and insomnia cure, chamomile is most often ingested in tea form or added as oil to a diffuser. It also has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe stomach-aches. There are some claims that it even fights anxiety and depression!

Peppermint
This herb is not only delicious and reminiscent of Christmas-time; it is also great for temporary pain relief. It can be used to treat everything from a headache to an upset stomach! Known for its cooling and calming effect, peppermint has antimicrobial properties that make it perfect for nausea and digestive issues. It also works wonderfully for headaches, toothaches, and cramps.
To address stomach discomfort, try drinking peppermint tea. To soothe headaches, add a few drops of peppermint oil to coconut oil and rub it on your temple, neck, and feet. 

Echinacea
Historically, Echinacea has been used to treat colds and upper respiratory infections. It has been shown to not only reduce your chances of catching a cold but also shortening the duration of an already existing one. Echinacea can be taken in a capsule, or in liquid form.

St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort contains anti-depressant chemicals that even doctors are using to treat depression and anxiety. It does not always replace modern depression medication and shouldn’t be used as a treatment by itself without consulting a doctor. However, the science is real. The herb also has powerful hormone balancing properties that can help control mood swings, thyroid problems, hormone-induced skin conditions, and menopause. It can be taken in liquid or capsule form. 

Though much less severe than the side effects that go along with most modern-day medicines, St. John’s Wort can make you more sensitive to sunlight. Take the proper precautions when exposed to UV rays.

With all of the options available from yoga fashion manufacturers, purchasing new clothes requires a lot more consideration that it did in the past. Styles range from traditional to more modern with every phase in between. The selection of workout clothes available is overwhelming. Imagine choosing from high waist Capri leggings, black yoga leggings, crop tops, oversized sweatshirts, and yoga pants. It’s nearly impossible to make a quick decision.

Purchasing workout clothes is a very personal decision, and there are no one-size-fits-all answers. Instead, a few general guidelines exist to help you purchase clothing that fits you well and allows you to practice safely and comfortably. 

What are the two crucial tips that every yogi needs to know before they purchase more workout clothing?

The Ease of Your Movement Should be a Priority

No matter what style of yoga you practice, you will need to be able to move through the various asanas or poses. It requires a fairly wide range of motion so all of your clothing items should be able to comfortably accommodate that movement. All workout clothing for yogis should allow you to breathe freely and stretch in almost every direction. Leggings should allow for great movement in the hips and throughout the leg, while tops should provide good coverage for bending, twisting, and stretching.

When you try on clothing in the dressing room or at home, try to move through a few poses that test the stretch of the fabric. A quick warrior II pose or even a lotus pose will allow you to see how far the pants will allow you to stretch. If you have space in the dressing room, you can test tops for flexibility by practicing wheel pose, a quick inversion, and an overhead stretch like standing crescent pose.

Safety is a Crucial Element of Your Practice

While the movement allowed by your outfit is certainly critical, safety is of the utmost importance when you step on the mat. This particularly applies to oversized clothing which can extend well past the point where it is safe. Long-sleeve workout tops, yoga pants or ankle-length yoga leggings, or oversized sweatshirts can all cause problems if they are too large for your frame.

Pants that cover any portion of your heel – even if they happen to just slip there throughout the practice – pose a serious safety concern. This prevents your foot from gripping the mat appropriately and can cause muscle strain when your stance shifts wider than you can comfortably tolerate.

Shirts pose a similar threat when the sleeves extend to cover any portion of the palm. Even in a very basic pose such as the downward-facing dog, shielding the palms from the mat without any sort of grip can cause you to slip quickly and cause injury.

There aren’t many crucial elements to selecting a workout outfit for your yoga practice apart from personal style preferences. Movement and safety are the two most important considerations because they can hinder your practice and cause concerns for your safety. Be sure to test all potential clothing items before purchase to ensure they’re the right fit for you.

With the rise of so many workout fads and yoga activewear, you can only imagine how many new workout clothing lines have been coming up too. Designer brands branching out to “athleisure” and workout wear becoming fashion statements and street wear too. You can only imagine what percentage of people’s closets has evolved into Lululemon, Under Armour, Adidas, and Nike. These clothes aren’t exactly easy on the pocket. So, what would be the smartest thing to do to lengthen the lifespan of these investments?

• Don’t keep wet workout clothes on and hang them to air dry if you’re not doing the laundry just yet. Keeping them on traps moisture and bacteria and could result in a number of skin infections. Leaving them in a pile on your floor doesn’t do it any good either. Soak in 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water for 15-20 minutes ONLY. The vinegar mixture helps eliminate any bad odors and stains. Be sure not to leave it longer, or else, it could damage the fabric.
• Separate workout clothes into colors and textures.
• Wash clothes and towels separately. Towel fibers can stick to workout wear and could be damaging to the fabric if the fibers are too stiff. A couple more items to watch out for before including them in the wash are items with fleece, zippers or Velcro.
• Sports bras should be hand washed or washed in a lingerie bag. If they come with removable pads, take out the pads and wash separately. Be gentle to avoid creating creases and folds on the pads. Turn them inside out before washing. This is to avoid colors from fading, and since most bacteria accumulate on the inside of clothing, then, it would be best to expose that side more.
• Read and follow washing instructions and use the delicate cycle. Although workout wear was made to be very durable, it’s still good to be gentle with washing them.
• Use baking soda and lemon juice. A couple of helpful things you can find in your kitchen. Add a cup of baking soda with your really wet and dirty workout clothes when you toss them in the wash. It helps get rid of bad odors. You may also add the juice of one large lemon to kill bad bacteria and smells that are difficult to get rid of.
• NEVER use more than the recommended amount of detergent. Better to use a little less than the recommended amount because the detergent may end up doing more harm than good. If possible, use detergents specific for active wear.
• NEVER use fabric softener. This locks in smells including the bad ones you want to get rid of and severely damages the special fabrics specific to athletic wear.
• Do not iron or put through a dryer. These could affect the fabric as well and best to leave your yoga pants and Lululemon tops hanging outside to dry. Maintain that they’re inside out so the colors won’t fade easily, and drying them in the sun helps get rid of other harmful bacteria too.

This is it. Thanks for reading!

When you teach a friend, co-worker, or family member one Yoga technique, you have taken the first step toward becoming a Yoga teacher. This is the traditional way Yoga was initially taught before Hatha Yoga classes became such a “magnet” to the public. Large Yoga classes are not a bad thing, but it is easy to forget the way Yoga was taught for centuries.

Now, let’s fast-forward into the 21st century. Today, we have access to instant information. You can learn Yoga from television, the Internet, books, DVD’s, MP3’s, CD’s, and e-Books. It would seem anyone who wants to become a Yoga teacher has all the tools at hand, to pursue his or her dream of teaching Yoga. Should you read Yoga books to become a Yoga teacher? Yes, you will have to read and much more. Yoga books, DVD’s, and CD’s set a foundation of Yoga teaching knowledge, but there is much more to this in order to become a Yoga teacher. It is daily experience, gained through teaching Yoga students, which causes a Yoga teacher to further evolve beyond the initial teacher certification process. Practical knowledge and experience becomes a “treasure chest” for any Yoga teacher.

Teaching Yoga is a journey. If Yoga teachers sit still, without expanding their knowledge, they will become stagnant. Yoga books are great references, but Yoga teachers are works in progress. In fact, Yoga is a work in progress. Yoga changes as teachers make new and innovative discoveries along the way. Hopefully, innovative Yoga teachers will record their discoveries for future generations. None of us have a life long enough to learn all that has been written over 5,000 years, but we learn everything that will help our students live a better-quality life and more. Every student ailment is researched again and again.

Yoga teachers may eventually run into a situation where the right Yoga book is not available, or perhaps it was never written. Always remember that Yoga books are very valuable, but they are learning tools for the beginning of the journey, and good references, to come back to, when you put Yogic principles into practice. So, when do you know if you are ready to become a Yoga teacher? If you have been practicing Yoga for years, reading Yoga information, and showing your friends Yoga techniques, you have already taken the first step.

There is no promise that the journey to become a Yoga teacher will be easy, but it is rewarding. Yoga has much history behind it, but many new chapters are being written at this moment, and many more will be written in the future. The public is always in need of competent and innovative Yoga teachers.