Last year, I wrote a post on what to give your favorite runner for Christmas, so this year, I thought I would write another gift guide-but for yogis this time! The suggestions I made last year for runners are still among my favorite running must-haves. Since I’m still fairly new on my yoga journey (almost a year come February!), I’ve compiled several products that I can’t live without as well as few I have on my own wish list!
1. A Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is one of the most important items that is essential to your yoga practice. While most studios or gyms loan or rent mats out to those who don’t have their own, I think for my own peace of mind, I’d prefer to practice (and sweat) on my own mat.
Mats can range in price from $10 to well over $100. I personally have a pink mat that I got at TJ Maxx. From the experiences I’ve had over the past several months, my mat gets the job done but it isn’t by any means the best mat. I like how sticky my mat is for room temperature, standard intensity classes or home practices. I don’t slip and slide too much in these types of practices. However, without a mat towel for a hot class, I would have been slipping and sliding all over the place. Also, this mat isn’t very thick. Pros and cons!
This mat is very stereotypical to feature on a gift guide, but for a good reason. The Manduka Black Mat Pro ($84 on Amazon to $94 on manduka.com) is thicker, wider and longer than “regular” mats and is very grippy and very high quality. I used one in a recent yoga class and I could tell the huge difference it made in my comfort during my practice. Manduka also makes other variations of mats that are less expensive, as well as several other companies. This mat is on my Christmas list! 
2. Yoga Mat Towel
These things make a much bigger difference during a hot class than I ever imagined! I thought for the longest time that a regular beach towel would suffice and that there was no need for a special mat towel. I was so wrong! The gripping of the towels to the mats makes slipping and sliding during a hot class a thing of the past! I have a Manduka eQua towel in Thunder (~$38-$40). Yogitoes is also another popular brand, as well as yogarat.
3. Blocks and straps
Blocks and straps can add so much to poses you’re still working into. Proper form is so important, and blocks and straps help so much to deepen the pose while you work your way fully into the pose. Blocks and straps can be bought anywhere from Walmart to Target to Amazon to a yoga studio. The prices range from ~$10-$25. Good blocks and straps don’t need to cost a lot.
4. Yoga Mat Bag
I love having a place to store my mat and accessories in between classes. It also helps keeping Zoe’s fur off my mat at home! 
This gift is another case where you can choose how much to spend. Bags can be bought at Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx, etc or at more specialized stores like lululemon. Up to you on how much to spend! There are so many cute designs!
5. A Yoga DVD
There are hundreds of DVDs out there that offer great yoga practices right from home! It’s nice to have at-home options for nights when you can’t make it to a class. I have the Bob Harper Warrior Yoga ($10) and it is definitely killer! I like how there are alterations to challenging poses, so there is always something to work towards. I asked for the Tara Stiles “This Is Yoga” DVD set ($20) for my own collection after hearing great reviews. There are so many styles and options to choose from!
6. Yoga Cookie Cutters!
I think these yoga cookie cutters from Yummi Yogi are so precious! I love the cute ideas they have for using the cookie cutters ranging from pancakes to cookies to jack o lanterns! You can buy them individually ($8.50) or as a set ($40)
7. Namaste Bracelet
Etsy is such a great website for finding cute, unique jewelry. There are many yogi-inspired jewelry pieces I was able to find. This particular bracelet is wallet friendly at $8 while still being cute!
9. Lululemon
I know, I know, I did it again. I added another stereotypical “yogi must have” item to this list. I know lululemon is expensive, but for me, the quality is worth the price. You definitely get what you pay for. Lulu makes my all time favorite workout crops, the Astro Wunder Under crops ($78). I live in these pants. The fit, quality, and flattering waistband are so worth it. Lulu also makes so many great tops that I love to run, practice yoga, and do Body Pump in. Athleta also makes some great quality clothing items. I supplement my pricier purchases with some awesome pieces from Target and Old Navy. Mix and match my friends!
10. Yoga Magnetic Poetry
These crack me up! How much fun would these be in the kitchen? You could make yoga sentences while your yummi yogi cookies are baking! An affordable, fun gift guaranteed to provide some entertainment! ($12 on Amazon)
11. More Yoga
There is no greater gift than more yoga. A gift card for classes or an unlimited month of classes would be an amazing gift for any yogi to grow their practice. Groupon and Living Social are great places to get good deals on unlimited classes at various studios in the area.
I hope you enjoyed my gift guide for yoga lovers! If anyone has ever given or received a great yoga, running, or active in general gift pass it along!
In February, I did a lot of wedding planning and a lot of thesis/defense preparation:
In March, I passed my defense:
They broke my heart! How did your team do this weekend? How was your Thanksgiving?
