Lunch today likely looks familiar if you stopped by the blog yesterday.
More noodles with peanut sauce, chicken and veggies!
There was a bit of yesterday’s lunch leftover today and I ate the remaining noodles around noon. I took a bite of the noodles straight out of the fridge and ended up liking them so much cold, that I didn’t even bother to heat them up.
Since today’s portion was a bit on the small side, I supplemented the noodles with a fresh pear and a cup of honey vanilla bean Voskos Greek yogurt.
This may be a bold statement, but Voskos honey vanilla bean is one of my all-time favorite Greek yogurt flavors. I’m a sucker for the flecks of vanilla bean in every container. They remind me of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream.
Yoga Mat Mission
If you follow PBF on Facebook or Twitter, then you may already know that I’m in the market for a new yoga mat.
The first and only yoga mat I purchased came from Marshalls and while it was inexpensive and pretty, I’m beginning to realize it’s lacking in two very important areas. It’s too short (I’m 5’7’’) and it’s too thin. The length isn’t a big deal, but I’d love a mat that’s a little longer so I don’t have to scoot forward or backward on the mat as often, interrupting poses.
The thickness is my main issue. My current yoga mat is very thin and I’ve found myself coming out of poses prematurely because my knees hurt from digging into the hard floor since my mat provides next to no cushioning.
When I asked you guys for your recommendations on Facebook and Twitter, I received a bunch of feedback and now have my research cut out for me.
A couple of you asked me (via Twitter) to share the most commonly recommended mats with you, so here’s a line up of the current top contenders, as recommended by PBF-reading yoga masters:
- Jade: Harmony
- Lululemon: The Mat
- Aurorae: Classic
After reading reviews and descriptions about the above mats, they all seem to be thicker and most are a bit longer than the typical yoga mats. Unfortunately they’re all pricier than the yoga mats I’ve found at random stores like TJMaxx or Target, but if they last forever, as many claim they do (Manduka even has a lifetime guarantee), and make my yoga experience more comfortable, perhaps investing in a high-quality yoga mat that I won’t have to replace is worth the splurge? Or at least maybe it’s worth putting on my birthday wish list for the end of the month!
If you have additional thoughts about any of the above yoga mats or if I should investigate another mat all together, please let me know in the comments section.
Namaste!
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Even though I still like the cheapy TJMaxx mat I bought first, I love my Lululemon mat. You might always want to look into a yogitoes – great for a little extra cushioning (and to wick away sweat if you go to a hot class!)
I agree with Faith- The Mat from Lulu is amazing. I’ve had mine for a year now and it’s perfect. Lot’s of cushioning, extra length, and it’s great at wicking away sweat. Although I would also suggest getting a yogitoes towel as well- if you’re going to be doing a lot of hot yoga!
I actually had a totally different experience with The Mat. A lot of people recommended it to me so I splurged…and within about a month, it was starting to fall apart. The material started to shred apart; every time I use it, there were more and more bits of material left behind on the studio floor. Finally it got so bad I reached out to the company. They accused me of using it wrong (shiny side down, which worked better for me because I sweat a lot), even though the Lulu employee and the website clearly stated it was reversible. When I brought it to her attention that the website said that, she finally agreed that it wasn’t my fault, and agreed to give me a store credit.
From there, it took about two weeks to get a new mat…I had to wait for them to send me a return label, package the mat up and send it back, wait for the gift card to arrive, and then drive to a Lulu store (which is a hassle where I live) to exchange it. Had they not carried the Manduka mats, I would have been pretty ticked, because I didn’t want to replace it with another mat that would do the same thing, but luckily, they did (though they didn’t have the MandukaPRO, which was my first choice).
Anyway, this is all a long-winded way of saying that I chose The Mat to save the $30 but in hindsight, I would have just gotten a Manduka. I LOVE the PROLite and, thus far, it seems to be worth every penny!
I’m also tall (5’8) and I bought this yoga mat a few months ago http://www.amazon.com/Colors-Non-Toxic-Phthalate-Bean-Products/dp/B000HDKRTE It’s thick and long and worked well for me – though I’m not an avid yogi! I bought it because of the thickness, length and great reviews.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money you can always buy another less expensive mat and double up! That’s what I do. I’m tall (5’10) and double the Target mats
Manduka mat for sure!! It’s so worth it. I have the PRO mat – 85″… I’m 6’1″, so length was very important to me. Seriously though, getting this mat was life changing.
I LOVE my Manduka! I’m also 5’7″ and most of it legs, so my spread-split stances take up quite a bit of space. It never runs out on me!
Peanutty noodles always seem to taste better as leftovers…probably because the ingredients have more time to get acquainted 🙂
I bought my first mat at Target, just to try out yoga, but I found that my hands were always slipping. At the yoga studio I attend, they let you try out different mats, I tried the Jade Harmony mat and I fell in love with yoga all over again. I was always so focused on my slipping hands and the jade mat let me actually practice! Definitely worth the money!!!!
I just got the Manduka ProLite and I LOVE IT. I wouldn’t recommend getting the pro if you’re going to be carting it to practice in the studio- it’s really heavy. But the ProLite is $30 cheaper and as light as a cheap mat, so I’m all about it.
One of my yoga buddies has a Lululemon mat and it seems to give her a lot of slippage issues though they claim that it shouldn’t. After some breaking in, my Manduka keeps me standin’ tall 🙂
Hooray for yoga! Namaste.
is the prolite thick enough for you? it seems like a great mat, but i wasn’t sure if the “lite” would be too thin compared with the original “pro.”
I had the same fear originally, but the Lite is made out of such dense material that I don’t even notice the extra 1/8″ or whatever it is that’s missing. I have really bony feet so poses like pigeon tend to hurt sometimes, but not on this baby!
awesome! thanks for the feedback, nina!
Jade harmony mat. I can’t recommend it enough, and it comes in two sizes (one is a bit wider). I’ve heard great things about the Mat from lululemon as well.
Voskos is my fave. Publix is all over it these last few weeks too!!
my mom has a yoga mat from the brand “yogarat” (it’s slightly bubbly in texture and has martini glasses on it haha) and i think she found it at marshalls for about 10 bucks or so and i love it! it’s a long length and perfect thickness…it never bothers my knees. online it’s about 30 dollars but you might be able to find some at marshalls and stuff. so if you do see a yoga rat mat, i highly recommend it!
ooh! i’ll look for that brand next time i go!
Go for the Jade Yoga Mat! I also thought it was a bit pricey but for something you use all the time (and the company is great!), it’s worth the extra money!
the Manduka changed my practice. I had gone through 3 mats in 6 months ( i practice 2x a day) this has lasted me 3 years thus far. my teacher has been using the same one for 10!
i don’t even own a yoga mat! I just use my carpet 😉
Voskos sounds great! never heard of them before
I am obsessed with peanut sauce and paste 🙂
Hi Julie. I just wanted to ask what blogging platform you are using. I’ve been reading your blog for ages and it inspires me to start my own on a daily basis…I’m thinking of actually taking the plunge soon! 🙂 There are so many platforms to choose from so I thought I’d ask my favorite blogger!
how exciting!!! i use wordpress. also, just in case you’re interested, you can find a series of blog posts i did all about blogging geared toward new bloggers on this page: https://www.pbfingers.com/favs-2/blogging/ hope you LOVE blogging!
This is why you are my favorite blogger! Thank you so much. I’ve just finished reading a few of your blogging posts and found them extremely helpful for a newbie like myself. I will have to take some time to come up with the perfect blog name that resonates best with me 🙂
I work at a Yoga studio and am going through teacher training right now. Hugger Mugger mats are where it’s at! Only $30, and are thick, long and wear super well.
Even amazon has them:
http://www.amazon.com/Hugger-Mugger-Nature-Collection-68-Inch/dp/B000C9NXBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334600277&sr=8-1
Your timing is impeccable! I am taking Yoga as an elective this summer (Thank you Direct Connect Valencia-UCF!) and I was looking to “upgrade” my mat too! Awesome links! 🙂
I’m not that into yoga, so I have no advice. But I’m hoping to start taking classes soon. I would love to use it to improve my flexibility!
I love eating cold noodles especially when they are asian noodles. Yum! 🙂 That yogurt looks delicious. Definitely going to have to try it.
I’ve never taken yoga before it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I could use some relaxation techniques.
There’s a nice yoga sale on Beyond The Rack right now! 🙂
I bought my mat on amazon and it works great, I think it was like $20! It’s long enough and cushioned, you just have to be sure you order one that’s thicker. You can get a good mat for cheap, you just have to search the deals! I thought about investing in a really nice one, but I just don’t do yoga enough for that.
I love my Jade! Solid purchase– you’ll love it!
As someone who has owned several yoga mats over the years, I can vouch that I love the Jade yoga mat. They use them at the Equinox studios and have cushioning and grip.
I used the Lululemon mat previously and didn’t like it because it didn’t “roll out” well…it wanted to stay in the curled shape so I had to use my shoes to anchor the mat to the ground.
I have the Lululemon mat and love it! I don’t slip at all and it has a nice thickness… It’s definitely heavy but I think they will be true for all the better mats (the Manduka was really heavy too when I tried it). I’ve heard great things about the Manduka as well. If you can hit up a Lululemon you can try out both there 🙂
My fiance actually recently purchased the Lulu mat as an impulse buy. At first I scoffed at the price, but it really is great. I have used it outside on cement, and you can’t feel the ground at all!
Two months ago I purchased the lululemon, the mat. Best splurge of my life!
It’s long and thick, which is perfect for class.
Also, in addition to hot yoga, I practice regular yoga. Just because I’m not at bikram doesn’t mean I don’t sweat like a fool (kind of embarassing) I hated using a towel over my mat when I didn’t need one, especially in flow classes. The Mat, has a grip to it and I no longer need a towel! I absolutely love this sucker!!
I will say, it’s a bit heavier than a normal mat, but other then that not a single complaint!
ahhhh unfortunately, I’ve only used the more inexpensive yoga mats so I can’t help in that area! xD But I hope you find the right one. Cushion IS really important for certain poses.
I recommended Jade on your Facebook page, and I totally stand by that :). I practice hot yoga daily (if not twice daily) and my Jade mat is in mint condition nearly a year after I purchased it. It did cost $75 Canadian, but for the worse I get out of it, it’s so worth it. And they’re made out of recycled material, so you’re being good to the planet too!
My girlfriend practices hot yoga and wants a mat she won’t have to put a towel over, with the jade have you had to use a towel at all? I’ve also heard great things about yogi toes, any thoughts?
I do sometimes use a towel in really sweaty classes, but most of the time I don’t need one! I don’t love Yogi Toes (you mean the towels with the little grips on them, right?) – I don’t find they work that well. When I do use a towel, I use a Spiritual Gangster towel and it’s awesome.
I’ll add that I have a regular old bought-from-the-gym mat that’s nothing special & I tried several of the ones that were more of a run, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my yogitoes towel on top. It add a bit of extra, soft cushioning. It feels much better against the skins, helps with slipping, absorbs sweat, is easy to wash & comes in tons of fun colors.
NAMASTE!
I love my Manduka Pro Lite! It’s thicker than the average mat, but will still roll up and fit in your yoga bag. The regular Pro rolls up too big.
Aurorae makes one with a towel material top that I’ve heard good reviews on too. Helps with the extra sweating from Bikram yoga classes.
i’m a HUGE fan of your blog (as in, if i ever saw you in person, i’d go into star-struck mode) – and i’m also a huge yoga practitioner and instructor. i’ve been teaching yoga for 4 years, and i’ve used about every mat out there.
i have to say that, unfortunately, the most expensive option – the manduka – is by far the best. it will last forEVER, especially if you’re only a once/weekly yoga-goer. plus, its cushion, non-sticky grip, and comfort is unmatched. the pro is heavy, though – if you choose this and you need a portable option, get the prolite- it really is much lighter.
if you don’t want to splurge, i’d recommend the Drishti Extra Thick Yoga Mat – it will get much softer and less sticky with use (give it a couple weeks). it’s pretty cheap (under$30) and is at the top of the thickness scale.
good luck!! (and apologies for the way wordy post!)
Are towels necessary with the manduka during hot yoga classes?
Towels aren’t necessary, but always a good idea if you sweat a lot. If you opt to not use a towel the mat will not be slippery (the Manduka is a godsend in that respect), but do remember to sanitize it afterwards with a mat spray or homemade sanitation spray.
The best thing to do is try both ways, since towels are usually personal preference. I personally teach with my Manduka mat and a Gaiam towel, but it is not necessary, just my preference.
I have a Manduka Pro Lite and it is plenty thick. Also, I totally believe that this mat will last a lifetime or two.
Go for the pricey mats-it may hurt a bit upfront, but you won’t regret it in the long run if you practice regularly (1x a week or more) and plan to practice for many years. There’s just no comparison in terms of quality and the stress you save on your joints. I’ve owned a few cheapo mats and after I’d replaced a few, I realized I was going to wind up spending about as much in crappy mats that wouldn’t last as I would on a quality mat that would last. That being said, I have owned a Manduka mat for 3 years and I LOVE it. I have had numerous fellow yoga classmates ask me about the mat, if they can try it out, where I got it, etc. I’ve even had 2 different teachers ask me about the mat. Manduka has an unbeatable guarantee and the quality cannot be beat. It’s super thick and long and I never need to double over my mat for poses that require me to be on my knees. It is so sticky and grippy-no issues with hand slippage. I can’t say enough about it-it’s a pleasure to use and the only drawback is most mat bags aren’t big enough to handle it! But, oh well-it’s worth the hassle of tracking down a mat bag to have a mat that lasts and supports me so well in my practice. Highly recommend Manduka!
The yoga mat that I have is a Gaiam mat that I got off of Amazon.com a while back and I love it. http://www.gaiam.com/
Hope this helps!
Oh, and I have a Manduka eKO:
http://www.manduka.com/us/shop/categories/products/mats/eko-mat/
which is not as heavy as the Pro, but still super thick and grippy. I liked the eco-friendly aspect and it rolls up nicely.
Hi Julie – I love your blog, and am a regular (albeit new) reader. Thanks for all the great content you put out there!
I just had to jump into this yoga mat convo – I took the plunge last summer and shelled out the $$ for a Manduka PRO mat. Overall, I’m really happy with it, and it’s very cushiony. And the lifetime warranty is nice!
I only have one problem – ITS SLIPPERY! So much so that I usually use a towel and wear socks while on it, which present their own problem. People who own Mandukas, is this normal? Maybe its just me…. 😮
I read some reviews on the Manduka website saying that it’s slippery at first but you have to really break it in, and the way to do that is to sweat on it a lot (!!) and then scrub it with cleaner and a rag (I think others recommended sea salt and/or lemon but I’d check the Manduka site to be sure) and it will get better with time.
This was true for me as well with my Pro. I tried a towel with it, but got frustrated with that. But, after practicing on my mat for a few months, I’m very happy with it.
The Manduka Pro is heavy, but I figure that I’m going to workout anyway, so why should it bother me to carry a heavy mat even though I have to park a block away from where I practice?
I have a Gaiam thick yoga mat. I’m 5’7″ and it works well for me. I also like the thickness. I was using a thin mat and kept getting random brush-burns on my elbows.
I bought the mat from Lululemon and absolutely love it! Perfect for those hot yoga classes… No slippage! I use mine every morning and it works like a charm!
Hey! I have to agree, with so many other Yogi Toes is the way to go. I have a very inexpensive mat that does the job but my yogi toes offer the perfect cushion on top of the mat. If you will be taking a lot of hot yoga, i am not sure what I did without my yogi toes before. I bought hte Lulu yogi toes and am very happy!
Happy Yogi’in!
I love my Manduka PROlite! That is all.
Have you ever made funky chicken with sesame noodles? It is amazing!
There are a lot of thicker yoga mats on amazon for a good price. Probably not the same quality as some of these, but if thicker is all you want it is worth a look.
I’ll have to give that yogurt a Try. I just started eating Oikos and I LOVE it. I’m very picky about the greek yogurt because I can’t get past the sour flavor.
I love my extra long mat. Another plus is that in a crowded studio you’ll steal a little extra personal space. The only problem with some of the extra thick mats is that you’ll sometimes find it harder to keep your balance. My trouble poses are the easy stomach ones (locust, bow pose, etc) which make my crotch bones ache! When I know they’re coming I put a folded towel down for some extra padding. Also, make sure your new mat is acceptable for hot yoga!
I’ve seen people double-up with 2 of the less expensive mats for the added padding.
Mmmm vanilla bean greek yogurt?? That sounds amazing and I love that there are real vanilla bean specs! Thanks for sharing the yoga mat suggestions! I would love a thicker mat and I heard that there are some that are anti-slip with sweat– overshare but sometimes my palms get so sweaty in downward dog that I find myself slipping forward!
I also have one of those cheapie yoga mats from TJ Maxx. I have to double it up whenever we are on our knees (I have knee issues as it is!). I’d definitely go for the lululemon mat. The rest of their products are so good, they I can tell their mats would be too. BTW, what lululemon products have you tried? I’m thinking about getting their boogie shorts for running this summer.
My favorite mats are actually from TJMaxx! I have used other, more expensive mats but I have bought two extra long and very thick mats from TJMaxx that I love. In fact, I have never come across a mat that provides the most perfect amount of cushioning as my mats from TJs. I have also had the same problem with yoga mats not providing enough cushioning for my knees and my mats definitely do the trick! Also you they have some with extra length as well as the cushioning, which is my pink one. I would definitely recommend!
Here is a mat very similar to the one I have and use for Yoga also purchased at Target:
http://www.target.com/p/GoFit-Deluxe-Pilates-Mat/-/A-550091#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton
I had one of those thin mats for my first class and I thought it would be my last one after my knees were killing me.
I have had it for 3 years now and it has held up great and I get compliments on it all the time.
Good luck!