Products for yogis
A number of cool products for yoga lovers have been filling my inbox lately.
Is your mat stinky? Check out Rebel Green’s new sprays for yoga mats in “Bliss” with pink grapefruit, bergamot and lavender, “Clarity” with peppermint and lemon, and “Wisdom” with frankincense and pine.
The company says that essential oils from coconut, jojoba, lemongrass, cedarwood, tea tree and eucalyptus have cleansing and therapeutic properties.” Plus they just sound better than the cleaners you may get at the gym. And some gyms do have mats on loan too. The sprays come in two sizes: 4 oz ($7.99) and 8 oz ($9.99) and are available at www.RebelGreen.com.
Are you stinky? Manduka just introduced a new towel made of eco-friendly coconut carbon fibers. The company says the new eQua Plus Towel is made from recycled coconut shells “whose moisture-wicking coconut microfibers … evaporates moisture and eliminates bacteria and a suede-like fabric that is super soft on skin and slip resistant when damp.”
It can be used as a gym, travel or beach towel, a “meditation shawl” or to provide an “extra layer of yoga mat grip for sweaty hand and feet.” The plus towel is $48. To see the entire line, click here.
Pretty, plush.
Tags: yoga
Farewell February roundup
A new month is about to start. What a great time to give your snack choices a makeover. These made my mouth water and I didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. Check it out.
And check this out the next time you need to grab breakfast on the run.
And remember this if you happen to catch the Oscars tomorrow. All those svelte figures need help too. Some advice from their trainers.
Tags: food weight
Buck the trend…
Southerners are among the least likely in the nation to exercise. The good news? Arkansas isn’t in the bottom five. Thank god for Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee. But that’s really little solace. Check out the CDC map and the LA Times article here.
Blessed Mom, Chosen Child is hosting this week’s Freebie Friday. Check it out.
Tags: family fitness, weight
There’s always next year…
Registration closed today for the Little Rock Marathon. The website still has some great training tips and the fall training and pre-training isn’t far off.
Tags: running
Not to be a spoil sport but…
…someone figured out how long it’d take to burn off a thin mint, or a samoa, or tagalong…just in time for Girl Scout cookie season. (It’s still a great cause!) Check it out.
Tags: food
And the winner is…
Time to get your yoga on Crystal E. Shoot me an e-mail at kbenenati@arkansasonline.com and I’ll get you your new yoga bible.
Tags: yoga
Have a sweaty Valentine’s Day
Want to feel sexy, and have better sex? Well, duh, who doesn’t? Work out. According to the American Council on Exercise, a more active lifestyle can lead to a more active sex life. Check it out. And those of you who wish they had more time in the bedroom — to sleep — fear not. Even moderate activity can perk up the relationship, according to ACE. Here’s an excerpt:
Does fatigue or the blues ever dampen your desire and interfere with fun together-time? Moderate exercise — like walking or biking — can boost mood for up to 12 hours. Even 10 minutes of exercise cultivates feelings of calmness, relaxation and well-being — and that bodes well for relationships and romance. Regular physical activity is often included in treatment plans for mild depression and anxiety — because it promotes good brain health and elevates mood.
To brighten your mood all day — and into the evening —grab a jump rope and enjoy a quick workout. Or go for a walk during a work break. Small investments in fitness and mood enhancement can really pay off — for both you and your partner.
Tags: family fitness
All aglow
If you’re busy soaking up the sun these next few days, remember to be safe if you stay out too late. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just barely seen a runner wearing black out for a late-night jog in our neighborhood. Wear gear that shows up at night. Reflective is good, light is good, black bad. If you’re pushing a stroller or riding a bike after the sun goes down, here’s a gadget you may want to check out. (I learned about it in a press release and haven’t given it a whirl, but it and products like it make a lot of sense.)
This one’s called The BikeGlow Safety Light. It’s a flexible tube of lights that is completely waterproof and lightweight. “It can be wrapped around the frame of a bike or chariot and the lights can be set to flash or for constant illumination,” according to the release. It’s available at REI or check bikeglow.com for local retailers.
Speaking of yoga…
Living Social has a deal — $20 for five classes at Barefoot Yoga. Check it out. Interested? You only have two more days to act.
Tags: yoga
Certified personal trainer Katherine Benenati offers guidance in working out, losing weight and eating healthy. She also discusses excerise wear and gear for moms. 