Damn the weather here in Jersey is gorgeous today, when it gets like this I just want to clear everything out, fling open the windows, organize all the things and give the ol' mat a good scrub.
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This is my yoga mat, I've used it nearly every single day for about a year and a half now and I love it. I picked it up at a TJ Maxx when I was living in the Bronx for about 12 bucks. Come to find out this is a "Manduka" mat which, if that doesn't mean anything to you, don't worry, it didn't mean anything to me either until I looked it up, just know these mats sell for $130.
LOLZ
That being said, it is a very nice high-quality mat. Moving from place to place it's the perfect companion and my mat goes everywhere I go, even overseas, and since I do yoga nearly every day I'd like to keep it as nice and clean as I can.
mouse tested, mouse approved.
Think of it this way, I'm not paying monthly for a gym membership, I don't buy any fancy equipment or workout gear, and I don't have any online workout video subscriptions. This mat and a good pair of sneakers are all I use for my physical activity so- I'm happy to devote a little extra care into keeping it nice.
The only reason I found out how much this thing was worth is that I was interested in looking up the manufacturer's suggested method of cleaning.
Shocker, you have to buy THEIR yoga mat spray.
And it's 30 bucks.
Nah fam.
So I set out to find a DIY recipe. I was concerned household cleaners would eat away or damage the rubber, and I wasn't too keen on having a strong bleach or chemical smell making me dizzy while in down dog.
That time I slept on my mat next to an ex-racing champion greyhound because the heat went out while I was dog sitting in the dead of winter!- Slumber party time!
After a bit of trial and error here's the recipe I found...
PLEASE NOTE:
I do give my mat a good wash/scrub every 4-6 weeks with mild dish soap, to remove any marks or smudges and give it a good clean. That being said, this spray is an awesome in-between that disinfects and freshens zee mat without any harm in between deep washings.
Why I like it:
-It's economical.
-It's easy to make.
-You probably already have all the ingredients
-It helps the environment (do we really need planes, trains and automobiles, man hours, boxes, packing and delivery, trucks involved in bringing me a couple ounces of cleanser??)
You will need:
- 1 cup: Water
- 1/4 Cup Witch Hazel (anti fungal, anti bacterial)
- 10-20 Drops Tea tree oil (anti bacterial)
- 10-20 Drops Lavender oil (or whichever scent you prefer)
- Any repurposed spray bottle
Instructions:
- Pour into bottle
- Shake to mix
Boom! you're done. If your mat just needs a freshen up you don't even need to wipe it down after you spray. This solution air dries leaving behind zero residues or stickiness, just make sure you give your bottle a good shake before you use!
I hope this was helpful to some of you guys, I think it's pretty ridiculous that the barrier of entry to physical fitness can be so complicated and expensive. If you're into living minimally and economically, yoga is a great way to get your exercise without equipment, classes, or memberships.
I do my daily yoga for FREE from an awesome site called DoYogaWithMe.com, and after I finished their 30-day challenge I was completely hooked.
I am by no means a master yogi but after nearly 2 years of steady practice I can say I'm in WAY less pain, I'm more flexible, my cardio health has increased and I'm much more physically aware of my body, what it needs and how to take care of it, not to mention all the mental effects like a higher focus level and fewer bouts with anxiety and depression.
If you've got any questions for me about how to get started or need any video recomendations, let me know! I'm happy to share!
Until next time! <3
Dayle
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