Monthly Must-Haves: Incense and the Basics
We live in a very wealth-driven society in which things=success.
While that can ultimately become a VERY unhealthy drive, having high quality goods isn’t always a bad thing.
I’m always on the lookout for products that support makers or artists, are eco conscious, or are just really well-made for myself, for my husband… even for the dogs!!
I’ve found so many things in fact that I’ve decided to introduce a new monthly segment of my blog… MONTHLY MUST-HAVES!!!
That’s not to say every product in here is something you need to buy in order to practice mindful meditation, yoga, or anything really, but they’ve been particularly helpful for me.
Since this is my first month doing this I’ll start with the basics, with a fun item included, so you can find out what I use for my yoga and meditation essentials.
What’s in my yoga bag?
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Pros
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I absolutely LOVE my Manduka PRO Yoga Mat, I’ve had it for ten years but you would never know it!
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It’s durable, it’s easy to clean (you don’t have to soak or scrub it), it comes in a lot of fun colors and patterns, and best of all, it’s got the best cushion and support I’ve ever seen.
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It provides extra cushion for my knees, without being too squishy (which I find tough for both balance, and my wrists!).
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Plus, the company supports using sustainable materials, so if you’re worried about your impact on the environment this is the mat for you!
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Cons
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It is a little pricey, but you’ll never have to replace the mat. If you’re already well into your yoga practice and don’t have one of these, you’re missing out. If you’re starting your yoga journey and know you’ll stick with it, this would be a great investment!
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I’ve found the Pro mat is a little bulky, so I don’t travel with mine, but it makes for a luxurious home mat. I look forward to practicing on mine all day!
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Swell Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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Pros
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Things that should be cold stay cold, and things that should be hot stay hot. This was the biggest thing for me!
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25 oz is a great size for my more strenuous sessions (and if you’re so inclined, fits a whole bottle of wine wink, wink)!
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Just like the Munduka Mat, these bottles come in all sorts of colors, you could even get one to match, plus you can reduce the waste of a plastic water bottle.
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Cons
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Dropping one of these water bottles has blown out my eardrums more than once. If you’re prone to moments of klutziness save yourself the earache on this one.
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!!Current Obsession!!
Incense holders certainly aren’t some you have to have in order to practice yoga or mindful meditation, but I’ve found some scents can really put me into a more peaceful frame of mind.
Putting incense and art together serves both a functional and fun part of me, and when I saw these backflow incense holders I fell in love!
If you don’t know what a backflow incense holder is or how it works, here’s a video!
I found this one on Etsy for $75, but there are plenty of options if you don’t like the style of this one. Just look up backflow incense holders on Google!
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVUyIpMQ2f4&w=854&h=480]
If you want to learn about the less material sides of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation check out some of the other services I provide!
From my home studio in Tampa Bay I offer yoga and meditation classes (both personal and corporate), as well as workshops for MBSR.
If you’re not in the Tampa Bay area I have several online classes available through Zoom Meeting.
Be sure to follow me @lotusheartmindfulness on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more mindfulness inspiration!
