I had an injury last fall that made my yoga practice much more careful. I could not land hard for months, so no jumping or falling. It was a practice changer. It opened me up to Restorative yoga and to Yin yoga. I learned a great deal in the process. But slowing down has its price, too. I lost some momentum and started having a hard time motivating myself to get to class. Also it was cold over the winter. We humans seek comfort and I found myself reading about yoga more than going to class. But one other issue was that I had a cheap yoga mat that was too short for my body, I was constantly halfway off the mat in my practice. I have always felt like yoga was too commercialized and people get into it in order to look a certain way more often than they do to achieve the spiritual benefits. In short, I have always scorned expensive yoga mats and all they symbolize. But I found myself really wanting one. And I had some reasons to tell myself I needed it. I have worn out enough mats to pay for an expensive mat that will last. I am tall and need a longer mat. There are mats out there that come with a lifetime warranty. And maybe it would motivate me to get to class more regularly. It also might cushion my jumps and falls more than a cheap mat. Okay. So I bought one. I read reviews online and decided on one with a lifetime warranty and a line of yoga teachers behind it saying they will not use any other mat. ![]() And it has inspired me to go to class more regularly. It does cushion my feet and knees and elbows better. It is luxuriously long and I am on the mat most of the practice now. I adore my yoga mat. So did I sell out? Did I turn into a yogi who conspicuously consumes? Or did I get myself the proper tool to do my job? Maybe a little of both. But no regrets. I guess there has to be a middle ground. I do not look at the others in my class who have cheap yoga mats and feel superior. And I do not look at others in my class who have expensive yoga mats and feel put off. I guess I made a choice that is right for me and I feel okay to let others do the same. |