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 Fitness fads will continue to come and go. Yoga, the oldest and purest form of physical, mental and spiritual conditioning is here to stay.  Within the last few years Yoga has been moving to the forefront of the fitness industry. With results driven celebrity endorsements from a sexy, sculpted Madonna and Nuala, a hip, stylish clothing and accessory line by former supermodel Christy Turlington, it's no wonder the "no pain no gain" fitness philosophy is quickly becoming a thing of the past. 

 

How can we be fashionably centered? 

First, learn all you can about the ancient practice of Yoga and how it can benefit your life.

Second, find out who is designing the hottest Yoga gear;  like clothing, shoes and mats.  

I had the opportunity of reviewing a hand painted Yoga Mat by Downward Dog Mats (ddmats.com).  Downward Dog Mats (named after a Yoga position) are made in Germany from high quality materials.   Each mat is hand painted with design choices like: Cherry blossoms, lotus flowers, om symbols, dragons and hibiscus flowers.  I reviewed the Cherry Blossom mat. 

The small Cherry Blossom mat measures 24" x 69" x  4mm.  This mat is considerably longer in length, which was great for me because I am a bit taller than average.  The mats I've purchased in the past have usually left my head or feet off the mat during certain yoga stretches. The design is placed on one end of the mat and measures about 8-1/2" x 6-1/2"   It's a subtle but noticeable accent.  The mat color is a rich royal blue color with pink, red, fuchsia cherry blossoms.

Having just gotten back into a fitness regimen that involves yoga, I decided to take my mat to Crunch, a well known fitness club in New York and the surrounding area.  The mat was immediately spotted in class by a veteran yoga instructor.  I decided to let her borrow it to teach one of her classes.   Her feedback was that the mat generated many compliments from her students.  She appreciated the finish on the mat and added that it was especially sticky, which is a good thing when you're holding a Yoga position like Downward Dog.  

All mats are made to order and ready to be shipped in 10 days.  Because they are custom made, Downward Dog Mats are not returnable.  Small Mats like the one I reviewed, sell for $65 and would make a great gift for any Yoga enthusiast.  You can see more mat designs at ddmats.com.

Mat Care:  Do not wash your mats in the bathtub or washing machine.  This may damage the design and finish of the mat.   It is recommended to clean your mat after first using it and after each use to help keep increase the life of your mat and to keep it sticky.  To clean it use a light spray intended for mats or create a solution with water and a few drops of anti-bacterial essential oils such as tea tree, lavender or rosemary and gently rub with a sponge.

Style Envy gives Downward Dog Mats 4 Stars.

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