Tip to a Sexy ’Yoga Booty’

The best yoga mat overallManduka The Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat provides just the right amount of padding without being too thick and clunky, and the price stays low even with its sustainable materials and no-slip grip.

When it’s time to trade in those bargain yoga steals for a yoga mat that’s built to last, the Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat is the way to go. Whether you’re practicing yoga daily or just stretching out once in a while, the 4.7mm thick padded mat will keep your hands, knees, and feet cushioned against any hard floor and will support your back as you relax into savasana.

In comparison with the Manduka Pro’s 6mm of padding, the ProLite mat sheds thickness without sacrificing comfort. It’s much easier to roll up and take with you than the thicker Manduka Pro mat.

If this is your first investment in a well-made yoga mat, you might balk at the price tag. However, the Manduka ProLite mat comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you’re safe from losing your mat to flaking, peeling, and fading. Whereas some mats deteriorate over time, Manduka promises that this one will only improve like a well-seasoned cast-iron pan.

In my 13 years of practicing yoga, I much prefer a mat that wicks away moisture, sweat, and dirt instead of absorbing it into the material. The Manduka ProLite’s closed-cell surface does just that, and the mat is easy to clean and treat. Vinegar and sea salt are recommended to help break in the mat’s texture and restore grippiness to the surface.

Check out our other great guides for yoga gearShandali The best yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are an important tool for yogis at any level. Whether you’re looking to deepen your flexibility, venturing into new pose territory, or just trying to go easy on your joints and muscles, yoga blocks are key. These are the best yoga blocks.The best yoga socks

Built for form and function, yoga socks provide extra stability in your yoga poses, which is especially helpful when you start to sweat during hot yoga. These are the best yoga blocks you can buy.The best workout clothes for women

With moisture-wicking fabric, cleverly-placed mesh panels, and thoughtful cut-outs, much of today’s athletic clothing is truly meant for athletic pursuits. It’s a far cry from our days of grabbing the oldest shirt in our closet, cutting off the sleeves, and calling it a top. These are the best workout clothes for women.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

  • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
  • Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started