Rowve Yoga Bags: Perfect for the Hot Yogi

If you're like me, you know having the right bag for your yoga gear makes a world of difference -- especially if you're practicing in the heat. Once you leave the studio, you've got sweaty clothes to bring home and that can quickly turn into a stinky mess.

Hot yogis, I've found the perfect solution: Rowve bags! Rowve has a collection of designer bags in a variety of sizes that are perfect for carrying your sweaty stuff around. The best part? You won't end up with a smelly bag, because they're made with cotton-backed laminate which is easy to clean.

I also love that Rowve's bag collection includes stylish designs that you can utilize as purses or travel bags, too! Each piece is eco-friendly, attractive, useful, and affordable.

The Rowve website includes a variety of small, medium, and large yoga bags. I encourage all you Bikram yogis and hot vinyasa flow yogis to check out the brand!

 

Photos via Rowve.

Yoga Inspiration

All photos via FYeahYoga.

Stop leaving and you will arrive.

Stop searching and you will see.

Stop running away and you will be found.

Yoga in the Moment (Namaste)

Sometimes yoga happens in a spur-of-the-moment kind of way. Like when you're stretching out after a run and your dog joins you for a little downward facing dog... :)

I encourage you to experience yoga as it happens spontaneously. Whether it's your body crying out for some attention after a long day, or a whimsical desire to pop into a pose while in the middle of a park... let your yoga happen!

I hope this post finds you smiling, full of life, and ready for a beautiful weekend. Happy Friday, all you yoga bums!

Illustration via a beautiful friend at Hearts Expanding.

Yoga Champs

Photo via YogaDork.

Over the weekend, some seriously stellar yogis competed in the annual USA Yoga Asana Championship in New York City.

Photo via New York Daily News.

I'm always amazed and inspired seeing what the human body can do. I always wonder: how many hours did these yogis spend preparing for the competition? How many backbends a day did it take to get to that point?

Photo via USA Yoga Federation.

Every year there's a debate about whether yoga should be competitive. Some say that goes against the nature of yoga, but I have to say I agree with USA Yoga Federation founder Rajashree Choudhury. I think it's inspiring and encouraging to see yogis like this in the spotlight. As Rajashree wrote in a recent Huffington Post article about yoga competitions:

It is human nature to feel challenged; to be self empowered. The competition aspect of Yoga Asana comes from within; from striving to achieve one's personal best at any given moment. Carefully defined judging criteria are based on rules and structure that follows the Hatha Yoga tradition; championship judges are educated by counterparts in India on how to award marks based on a points system. Ultimately though, it comes down to the competitor's ability to master their sensory control; to execute postures to their fullest potential while holding them in stillness.

Photos via USA Yoga Federation.

You can watch a video stream of the championship here. Or check out more about USA Yoga on their Facebook page.

 

 Photo via USA Yoga Federation.

Huge props to all you amazing yogis who participated!

Keep Going

Photos via Pinterest.

That's the beauty of the yoga: you keep going, you keep trying. If it's been months since you rolled out your mat, maybe today is the day you change your habit.

You try one pose.

Soon, you are seeing things differently. :)

Your Breath in Yoga

One thing I love about yoga: whether you're meditating in lotus pose, or fighting your way into a forearm balance, your breath guides you.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm practicing yoga while I walk down the street, as long as I'm focused on my breath moving in and out of me.

Yoga Art

The other day a friend and I spent the afternoon drawing and painting. I enjoyed the simplicity of the moment, and a chance to create some new art.

I found myself coming back to the om sign and the lotus flower, both symbols I love.

The drawing above is of a yogi in scorpion pose, with an om.

I also wrote this little poem on one of the pages. 

over the water sound echoes, reverberating

back in muted tones, in color,

saffron and gold, peaceful

remembrance of what was once true:

beauty, silence, I raise my voz en paz.

this peaceful river flows on, through me,

breaking into the day. it is its own

promise, floating onward toward some unknown shore.

Yoga Laughs from Teeny Tiny Om

Custom illustrations via Teeny Tiny Om.

I recently discovered an adorable illustrated yoga blog called Teeny Tiny Om. Virginie, the author, features drawings of a little stick figure yogi as he learns postures and goes about his yoga journey.

I love the wit and humor of the site.

If you're looking for a good laugh and some true yogic wisdom, swing by Teeny Tiny Om.

 

Have a Hug

Photos via Pinterest.

Valentine's Day is coming soon. I think we should celebrate early and have a hug now.

Photo by Olive Juice Studios.

The best part? When you give a hug, you get one too. :)

Happy hugging, lovely ones!