OPEN  MIND      OPEN  BODY

Ideas for Your Yoga Practice

RESOURCES

WORKSHOPS

CLASSES

TEACHER TRAINING

NEWSLETTER

about kelly

Give the Gift of Practice

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, you may be drawing up your gift list for all the yogis in your life - including yourself. Retailers, yoga magazines, and even your favorite studio may be tempting your with endless yoga gadgets and accessories. Before you spend money on these objects, consider whether they will truly contribute to a yoga practice. Do you need a stylish yoga mat bag, a t-shirt that lets the world know you practice yoga, or the latest yoga prop? Will any of these things teach you something? Will any of these things make it more likely that you will roll out the mat and practice? 

Consider giving yourself and others the gift of actual yoga inspiration, education, and practice. Below are some simple ideas for truly useful gifts for this holiday season:

• Register yourself and a friend for a workshop with a visiting instructor.

• Invite your friends to start a yoga circle that trades books, videos, or other resources.

• Buy a discounted class card/pass at a local yoga studio.

• Hire a babysitter so that you (or the recipient) can attend yoga class.

• Sign up for a meditation or yoga retreat.

• Make a donation to a non-profit organization, as an act of compassion. Consider hosting a "good karma" holiday yoga party, inviting an instructor to donate instruction, and collecting donations (food; clothing; toys; money) from guests.

• Choose a book that complements and expands your own - or the recipient's - current yoga practice. For example, a book on yoga philosophy, holistic health, or meditation can be far more useful and interesting than another basic instructional or inspirational yoga book.

• Choose an instructional video, DVD, or CD that broadens your exposure to yoga styles, practices, and ideas. Look for harder-to-find resources, including videotaped talks with yoga teachers, live classes or workshops, or materials produced by yoga communities. 

Many of these gifts allow you to support yourself, your friends and family, your favorite teachers, your local community, and the environment (by not buying new or wasteful products). Think of each purchase or gift as an opportunity to practice the principles of yoga: act from love, focus on what is important to you, and walk the walk.

Happy Holidays to everyone! 

Return to Ideas for Your Yoga Practice

Enjoy these ideas? Sign up to receive monthly ideas for your yoga practice in the free Open Mind Open Body Newsletter.