Yoga with Marianne

2013-01-24T14:01:00.001-05:00

It's HERE! Our spanking new website where you can register for our first Women's Yoga Retreat at North Topsail Island, NC!! Dates are April 28 through May 4, 2013. Since we are limiting the number of participants to 10-12, we highly suggest signing up soon! Wouldn't it be sweeter if you brought a lovely lady (friend/family member) to share this experience with you?

As a bonus, if you sign up prior to February 28th, Sandy and I are offering $10 off a massage or private yoga or pilates session during the retreat. Now that would rock! We are so excited to offer this retreat. Learn more and sign up: www.creativevinyasa.com

Upcoming Yoga with Marianne in Mandeville, LA

2012-01-17T02:12:00.001-05:00

Yogis In Southern Louisiana,

I'll be teaching the 10am Vinyasa Yoga Class at Pelican Athletic Club on Saturday, February 18th, 2012.

ALSO....the same day....

Yoga with Marianne Workshop
Let's Chill before the Thrill
Yoga Nidra Relaxation workshop before Mardi Gras, in Mandeville, LA
Saturday, February 18th, 1-3pm CST

Call the Pelican Athletic Club Concierge at 985.626.3706 to reserve your space. $25 for members, $40 for non-members

This is the older version of the flyer...new one to be posted soon!

Just a quick note....

2011-01-06T21:51:00.003-05:00

Hi there folks! I know I haven't been "online" here much lately. But I have been a busy bee...living life, and buzzing around!

I just wanted to throw out my new (yet actually been around awhile) other blog (site to come). There really isn't much going on there now. But I'm touching base to invite some feedback.

The other site is all about inspiration. We plan on offering it for free without even any ads--Because that is how we think it should be. You can't put a price on inspiration. Heck, most times it's free anyway, right?

It will be stories, and so much more. Oh yes, we have plans! :)

So, for now, think about where YOU get inspiration from. Whatever it is. Maybe it's a book, maybe it's a teacher, maybe it's music, heck, it could even be your favorite rock or a deep breath. Get the idea? Whatever it is, we wanna know about it!

Don't think about the "right" answer, or what you think I, or anyone else, may want to read about. Think about inspiration. Think about you. Think about where it comes from for you. Maybe you don't feel inspired. Maybe you feel stagnant. Well, I'd like to know about that too.

So what is your relationship with inspiration? Can you think of something that inspired you in the past? What was it? Or if you don't feel inspiration now, tell me about that. How does that feel?

No right or wrong. This new site is about exploring inspiration. Simply put.

the site: gogetinspired.com

my email (to send your feedback): marianne@yogawithmarianne.com

Oh, and when you email me, just make a note if you would be cool sharing your information with others. Or if you are cool with sharing it, but only if it's done so anonymously. Of if you only want to share it with me. Whatever you want. It will all be helpful.

Those of you I haven't heard from lately, just wanted to say Hi! I'm beaming light your way!

New Sunset Picture

2009-08-30T00:54:00.002-04:00

I took this one the other day from the yoga studio. :)

Weird Shoe

2009-08-30T00:47:00.003-04:00

Finally updating some more pics!!

Here's one from about a week ago. While walking in Mandeville to breakfast I saw this shoe on the sidewalk. The nice clean area of Mandeville, and yep this burned up sole of a shoe. Go figure.

Quote for Today

2009-08-12T11:09:00.002-04:00

"Are you sure you know what you're doing? Because if not, you ought to think about what you're doing, realize the causes, motivations, circumstances, and intentions of why you're doing what you're doing. Then assess whether you want to keep doing what you're doing or do something else. If you don't intentionally discover why your life is like it is, how do you expect to ever customize it?"

-Keith Ryan

From the mat tonight

2009-07-31T21:40:00.004-04:00

It's hard to believe I've been in Southern Louisiana for almost a month! And in this month, I've been super busy, super excited, and super inspired. There is really SO much to write and so much to say. One of my goals since the move is to blog more. :o) And even though I'm just now jumping back into it...I'm looking forward to much more.

I could start out by telling you about my first impressions of the area. Or how exciting and scary a BIG move like this was for me. Or how I'm getting into my real flow. Or tell you what I think about the bugs.

But you know what? I think I'll leave you in suspense on all that for now.

Instead, I think I'll start by telling you about something I finally did last night.

With many moves, the movers feel so accomplished when the last box is unpacked. Surprisingly, that's not what I'm going to say.

In all honesty, I've really only unpacked two boxes. ONLY TWO!! And if you know me...that might sound CRAZY!

It's strange. But getting into the flow for me lately has been really learning to relax into things. To chill. And so far, that has been my greatest challenge. (Try going from 5 Google Calendars to Uno...it's a different way of being!)

Back to last night. What I finally did was this: I unpacked the suitcase I've been living out of since Crystal's wedding back in June. I'd wear the same clothes, wash them of course, and put them back in the suitcase.

I have my space almost set up. I have a comfy place to sleep that is SO peaceful. And now, my one suitcase of clothes has found it's home. And just that seemingly simple event helps me also feel more at home.

And you know what? Home isn't so much a physical place. It's more about the place where you are with it. Where you are in your mind, where you are in the world...and just how comfortable you are with it all.

Tonight I encourage to you explore just how comfortable you really are. Not simply how comfortable your home is. But how comfortable you are where you are right now. Where you are in your life...where you are in your heart...where you choose to plant yourself.

How comfortable are you with yourself and all your choices in this moment?

I think taking my time on unpacking really shows that I felt at home here from day one. Even with everything still in a suitcase.

I'm learning so much here. So much about myself it's going to be a journey just to share it on this blog.

Thanks to everyone that supported me in making this leap. And thanks to those that maybe weren't so supportive but still in their own ways, were there for me.

From my mat this evening I send just a few pictures. My purple mat on the floor in my new space. And a picture of one view from my mat.

In love and light and truth,

Marianne

More on the Hug Campaign

2009-06-21T15:16:00.002-04:00

The Free Hug video really touched me. I'm sure you have had days when all you needed was a hug. Days where you didn't want anyone's advice, didn't want to talk about it, and just wanted someone to be there with a hug.

I just wanted to share some more on the Free Hug and how it started. Oh, and don't forget to hug you dad today! ;)

On how the hug campaign started from http://www.freehugscampaign.com/

How it all started:

I'd been living in London when my world turned upside down and I'd had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one to welcome me back, no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown.

Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me.

So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides.And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me. The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling.

Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time.

Check out this sweet video! And go hug someone!

2009-06-21T15:00:00.001-04:00

Gearing up for great change

2009-06-18T13:20:00.003-04:00

Wow...just 3 days left of work at the "job job". Can you believe it? Then I have all next week to see friends, get packing, party...oh and did I mention PACKING?

It's amazing to think that soon enough I'll be heading to New Orleans to help open a yoga studio. What a blessing! I cannot begin to tell you just how cool it is to begin to really follow my dreams!

I've been so fortunate in this life to find what it seems I'm most passionate about. And I've been fortunate enough to be teaching yoga part-time here in Raleigh for the last 6 years. But even doing something part-time while working a "job job" can wear you thin at times.

Feeling the shift of my passion for teaching moving from the back burner as a profession to the front is so inspiring. I can't even begin to explain how it feels at times.

BUT....I'll try to update the blog with how it all goes. I feel as if I'm in for an awesome journey.

Thank you all for your support....and encouragement.

My last class here in Raleigh is next Saturday. We have the yoga mala THIS Saturday the 20th from 10:30am to 1pm. Hope to see you there!

On Pattabhi's Passing

2009-05-19T14:07:00.000-04:00

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga Yoga, passes away at age 93.
by elephantjournal.com on May 18, 2009

Update: A new post, one of the best yet. Yoga Dork just added their “This Too Shall Pass.” Yoga Journal just weighed in.
News: Sri K. Pattabhi Jois died at his residence following a brief illness. He was 93, not 94.
गते गते पारगते पारसंगते बोधि स्वाहा Swaha! We got word this morning, via Twitter, that Sri K. Pattabhi Jois has passed away. Updates to be added every few minutes.

“Do your practice and all is coming.”
“If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yields happiness both here and hereafter - if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood towards the Self.”

Update, via Cora Wen’s friend, Kino MacGregor:
In Honor of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: 1915 - 2009Ashtanga Yoga Guruby Kino MacGregor
A Guru is a person whose very presence imparts truth and awakening in the disciple. When I traveled to Mysore for the first time I asked Sri K. Pattabhi Jois where I could find the illusive state of inner peace that all yoga practice seeks to instill. He said, “You take it practice many years, then Shantih is coming… no problem” and my heart opened to the grace of his teaching. It was the depth and power of Gurujii himself that inspired his students to have faith in themselves and in Ashtanga yoga. It was my great fortune to consider him my teacher and I attribute the depth of my personal practice and teaching to the light that Guruji’s fire ignited within me.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois taught Ashtanga yoga for more than 65 years before passing on May 18, 2009. Each day of his life marked a relentless devotion to the lineage he carried. A humble man born before both world wars, Guruji’s lifelong dedication to yoga transformed the lives of countless people around the world. Coming from a small village called Kowshika in Southern India, Guruji discovered yoga at the age of 12 when he saw the man who would become his teacher, Krishnamacharya, give a yoga demonstration at his school. After devoting himself to his studies and earning the title of Vidwan (professor emeritus of Sanskrit Studies) Guruji taught yoga for nearly 30 years in a small room on the first floor of his modest house in Mysore until the first Westerner came to study with him in 1964. Yet it was not until Jois made his first trip to California in 1975 that the worldwide legacy of Ashtanga yoga began to spread. He lived to see Ashtanga reach more than 30 different countries, transform thousands (if not millions) of yoga practitioners and sprout centers all around the world.
Always joyful to see a new student, Guruji carried the torch of Ashtanga yoga while it grew over the last 34 years from a few disinterested students into a flowering, international community of dedicated, passionate practitioners. We have the practice of Ashtanga yoga today because of Guruji’s unwavering dedication to sharing his wisdom. At the moment of his death there is no greater way we can honor Guruji’s life than to get on our mats and practice every day. He gave us the gift of Ashtanga yoga and now it is our responsibility to practice.

General biographical excerpt via Yoga Lounge:
…the popular system of “Ashtanga Yoga” that is widely practiced today, traces its more recent origins back to the sage Vamana, who is accredited with writing an ancient manuscript called the Yoga Korunta. The teachings of this manuscript were passed down to the great yogi, Sri. T. Krishnamacharya by his guru, Rama Mohan Brahmachai, over an eight-year period of intensive study in a cave in Tibet. When Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois became a student of Krishnamacharya in 1927, he was also taught this particular method of practice. In the present day, these traditional asana sequences have been translated into the primary, intermediate, and advanced series that make up the Ashtanga Yoga practice.
Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois, who is affectionately called Guruji by his students, was born on the day of the full moon in July1915. He left home to embark on a twenty-five year period of study with his guru Krishnamacharya when he was only twelve years old. From 1937 to 1973, he taught at the Sanskrit College in Mysore, and in 1956, earned the title of Vidvan, or Professor. In 1948 Pattabhi Jois established the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute from his home in Laxmipuram. He took his first trip to the West in 1974, when he was invited to deliver a speech on yoga, in Sanskrit, at an international yoga conference held in South America. The following year, sponsored by a group of his North American students, Guruji traveled to California with his son Manju Jois. Over the last thirty years, as a result of his several trips to different parts of the world, and the efforts of his many dedicated students, the teachings of Ashtanga Yoga have spread, and its popularity persists…for more, click here.

Update via John Friend on Twitter: @anusarafriend To honor Pattabhi Jois today Anusara yoga students should do 11 Surya Namaskars - (A) form.

Update: an informative article re. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois on Drish t i Yoga:
Jois’ health had been unstable for the past few years, and he was in and out of the hospital more than once. However, the exact causes of death have not yet been made public. Along with B.K.S. Iyengar and T.K.V. Desikachar, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois can be credited with carrying along the lineage of T. Krishnamacharya, who is largely regarded as the founder of modern yoga practice. Jois was one of the most prominent figures in yoga, having taught thousands of students over decades as the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India (known today as the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute). Many of his students are now among the most well-respected teachers in the West today.
Sharath Rangaswamy, Jois’ grandson, who has studied and worked closely with Jois for many years, is expected to take on the role as the head of the institute his grandfather founded.
Jois was born July 26, 1915, in the village of Kowshika, South India…

Update: a nice article on Ashtanga News. Excerpt:
Deeply mourning the loss of my sweet Guruji. He passed away in the presence of Sharath, Saraswathi and the family. Such a mixture of thoughts and emotions flow through me as I remember what this great man and spirit meant to me and to the world.
I am reflecting now on how deeply and radically Guruji touched so many of our lives. I know that, for me, his touch was the beginning of a whole series of events that led me to a life that I could have never dreamed of. Guruji will continue to live on in everything that I do. His spirit and his heart will continue to inform the work that I do. Thank you dear, sweet Guruji for being such a light. Govinda Kai

~ ~ ~

Freeform THIS thursday!

2009-04-28T10:31:00.002-04:00

It's that time of the month again! For freeform that is! Send me your playlist requests so we can rock it out freeform style!

See you at Golds NH at 7pm on thursday. Oh yeah, don't forget the concert series has started so try to come early! Parking is a mess!

Partner Yoga this evening!

2009-04-23T23:02:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to thank all the lovely yogis that came out to partner yoga tonight. Thanks for trying something new, for playing and doing a different type of yoga.

I really enjoyed your energy!

Those that couldn't make it, I do hope to see you in class soon!

Love,
Marianne

25 ways to reuse your YOGA MAT!!

2009-04-19T15:05:00.002-04:00

Just stumbled upon this on Jade Yoga site. SO awesome! I bet I could add a few. :)

From the site:

Thanks Jolene Bennis Dimitroff of Yoga Tree in San Francisco for the following list of "25 Ways to Reuse Your 'Old' Yoga Mat"

1. Donate to homeless shelters as sleeping pads.

2. Use as a seat liner for the back seat in the car while taking your dog to the vet or groomer.

3. Place under an area rug for no-slip gripping.

4. Drop off your old mat at an animal rescue group. Most of these places need soft, durable mats, rugs, towels, & blankets to line crates.

5. Use an old mat in the garage or shop to keep from slipping on the workbench while using power tools on them.

6. Line kitchen shelves to prevent glasses from slipping and scratching.

7. Cut the mat into squares and use them as "bases" while playing baseball with the kids. Easy to carry and easy to clean!

8. Use to kneel on in the garden to protect your knees!

9. Use as kitchen drawer liners.

10. Cut it up to make a mouse pad.

11. Use it on the beach instead of a towel.

12. Use as grip pads to open jars.

13. Cut to size and use as foot pads for the bottom of furniture that is on a wood or ceramic floor. Glue on pieces with a non-toxic adhesive.

14. Place it under your sleeping bag as a sleeping pad while camping.

15. Make covers for sharp corners like in a parking garage or school.

16. No more messy packing peanuts! Old yoga mats get a new life as a protector of valuables while moving or shipping.

17. Make children's toys: cut holes and create masks, hats, costumes and props; cut into shapes and letters for tub and pool toys.

18. Cut and put down in front of the kitty litter box to stop the litter.

19. Plug up drafty places, windows, doors, & under window air conditioners, and save energy!

20. Great for those hard bleachers when watching sporting events.

21. Makes a great liner under house plants, you can even cut it to fit each plant!

22. Donate to nursing homes so that residents do not slip while getting in and out of bed.

23. Place between your surfboard & car to protect both from abrasion.

24. Lay it over the dashboard and steering wheel to keep the sun out!

25. Keep in the car for those spur of the moment picnics, keeping groceries from sliding around in the trunk, or for a myriad of other uses limited only to your imagination!

On your hands and upside down!

2008-03-13T22:17:00.002-04:00

Tonight at Golds we had our themed Thursday class. And tonight was Arm Balances & Inversions! I want to thank all of you that came out!

We had newer yogis and some long term yogis too. The stories you shared before class were inspiring, funny, and sweet too. Thanks again.

I was truly amazed at your willingness to try something NEW!

Sometimes you don't realize what you can do until you try. And heck, sometimes you don't realize how you can hold handstand...unti it just happens.

Much love,
Marianne

Self-Esteem Videos...

2008-03-08T16:44:00.002-05:00

Check these.

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/dsef07/t5.aspx?id=7373&filmno=1

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/dsef07/t5.aspx?id=7373&filmno=0

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/dsef07/t5.aspx?id=7373&filmno=2

Bloom

2008-03-03T22:30:00.005-05:00

Lately I've been thinking about blooming, like my teacher Erich, encourages. I mention this to my students too...to help them blossom their poses and reach higher. But it's not so much a struggling...it's an easing into your Self, and expanding.

Here's a quote I have in my bedroom to remind me to bloom. I hope you enjoy.

"It's not arrogant to bloom.

It's not egotistical to bloom.

If anything, it's egotistical to feel crummy about yourself,

and then...

shrink."

May you bloom.

Home sweet home or Om sweet Om?

2008-02-23T22:01:00.003-05:00

Here's a sweet story from this morning's yoga class. In class today was a fairly new yogini. I believe she said it was her second class. New to some asanas and brand new to my class, she did great the whole class keeping up with the flow and moving with everyone else.

We chanted 'Om' at the beginning and the end of class this morning. The one at the end had a nice, smooth, deep quality to it. The energy was great!!

After class, our new yogini friend came up to inquire about what we were chanting. She wasn't sure and hadn't done it before and wanted to learn. She asked, "Were we chanting 'home'?"

Although she seemed to miss the fact we were chanting another mantra, in many ways, she was spot on. Om brings us home. And in a sweet way, she helped us realize that indeed it is our practice that brings us home.

Yoga helps bring us to center. It helps us become more grounded, more still even in the midst of our crazy, hectic lives. And if you're like me...you spend lots of time going from place to place. Sometimes it seems I'm only home to sleep, especially in weeks like this last one. However, our practice travels with us. It's a way of bringing us home no matter where we are.

Just this past week, as soon as I got to my hotel room while I was traveling with business, one of the first things I did was put my yoga mat out...facing the window. It's one way I can bring home with me where I go.

As sweet as Om is...
It sure seems that home may be even sweeter some days.

Many thanks to the dear student that helped remind me how close Om is to home.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T09:55:00.001-05:00

Thanks to all the wonderful couples that came out to do Partner Yoga with me last night! And thanks to those that even stayed for a second class!

Don't you just love your new massage tables?

--
www.yogawithmarianne.com

Partner Yoga

2008-02-12T07:18:00.000-05:00

This week, join me for a partner yoga class on Wed at 5:45pm. We'll explore the yoga of connection together, with guided meditations and partner yoga poses.

:)

Yoga on YouTube

2008-01-25T22:41:00.000-05:00

Good morning friends & yogis!

This morning a student shared with me a video from youtube. In case you yogis ever encounter some KungFu masters, this video should be rather useful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYlNNy929Y

Okay, and this second one is about the Inappropriate Yoga Guy. He's really funny...and he better not show up in my classes! LOL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtWcb0bcA-A&feature=related

New Stuff!!

2008-01-25T22:18:00.000-05:00

Hi friends,

The new Thursday night class at Golds is off to a great start. I'd like to thank everyone that has come out to support this new class!

Also, I wanted to let you know about an upcoming workshop for next Friday night at Wake Forest Yoga. Yoga Dimensions for intermediate and advanced students. It's Friday, Feb 1st from 6-8pm. I hope you'll join me!

For more info on this workshop, go check out http://www.yogawithmarianne.com/Workshops.html

You can download the flyer for more info. Oh...and check out the new look for the workshop flyers. A dear friend has been helping me out. And I can't believe how beautiful they turned out. Thanks so much, Mandi!

And for those of you that want a sneak peak to my February website update...today I added a new inspiration page & photo...and two new informative flyers on the Yamas & Niyamas of Yoga. Those flyers are available on the 'Goodies' page. Check out www.yogawithmarianne.com for all the new stuff!

I hope you enjoy. :o)

October Update

2007-10-01T11:05:00.000-04:00

Good morning!!

Just a reminder that Wake Forest Yoga is having FREE yoga week THIS WEEK!! Come check it out for FREE!! Visit www.wakeforestyoga.com or check the schedule here: http://www.wakeforestyoga.com/October%201%20to%207%20WFY%202007%20Free%20Class%20Schedule%20Rev3.pdf

I'm teaching a free YIN YOGA class tomorrow night at 6pm. :)

Also, my October schedule is out. Here's the link:

http://www.yogawithmarianne.com/uploads/Marianne_s_Yoga_1007Schedule_1_.pdf

Om Shanti,
Marianne

Happy...Here....Now

2007-09-13T06:49:00.000-04:00

Good morning,

First, take a moment to enjoy this beautiful blue sky. I took this pic on my last trip to Mexico. Oh...so sweet!

Yesterday & today my thoughts have been coming back to santosha, one of the niyamas. Typically you will find this translated to mean 'contentment'.

But what does it truly mean to be content? It sounds rather easy...but really, how often do you find yourself at a place of of contentment in your body, in your life, in your own mind? How often can you find your thoughts NOT racing to the next thing, or not worried about the future?

Seems in meditation this week a sense of peaceful contentment has been my experience. And realizing that peace makes me so much more aware of how other parts of my day are, well....to be completely honest, not so full of contentment.

Many of us can find ourselves at times looking to the past, looking to the future, spending lots of energy trying to makes sure we get what we think we want, looking to improve our 'now' experience. But really, in truth, doesn't all this serve to take us further away from the present?

If you are honest and ask yourself when thoughts come up for you, you may find that lots of your anxiety and frustration comes from the past or the future. If you really examine these thoughts, you might discover, like I do, that in the present most of the time the past and my experiences in the past are not really there for me in that moment. It's the thoughts about the past that are! And if I find myself dwelling on the future, I remember to remember that I've tried to make the future one way...and how did it turn out? The way it was going to anyway...with or without my effort. The control we have when it comes to our future experience is really limited. (Although our thinking minds would like to say WE have control!)

How much time are you really present in your life?

And if you aren't in the present living your life, who is??

All we really have control over are our thoughts and our reactions to them.

Become your own detective!!

In class I'll say "breathe" or "be aware of your breath". Truly these are hints to help bring folks back the present. And even on my own mat in my practice, I continue with these helpful hints to myself. And I think the more you examine your life, the more you can be your own guide to the gift that is the present.

So, if you're up for it...take some time to consider this post. Ask yourself and honestly see the answer to the question "How often are you truly present?" and see what you see. Don't ask yourself questions you think you already know the answer to. Be present.

Who knows, maybe you get a different experience today if you are open to the possibility.

May you find contentment and acceptance in every breath, with each moment, and with yourself.

Love & light,
Marianne

Mats!

2007-09-05T09:50:00.001-04:00

Namaste! Today I wanted to post my recommendations for yoga mats. As a teacher, I get lots of questions from students about mats. So, to my dear students & friends: here ya go!

I spent YEARS looking for just the right mat for my practice. I can't tell you the number of mats I bought & slid around on. And most yoga mats (the sticky kind) are made of PVC. On those mats, they would flatten when my hands/feet where on them so much, it was like not even having a mat. Oh my poor hips in Dhanurasana!

After lots of different mats, I finally found my favorites. And, I gave away the mats I didn't like.

Here are my top two:

1) Harmony Yoga Mats by Jade Yoga. Find out more about them here:http://www.jadeyoga.com/store/home.php

My take: This mat holds a special place in my heart. It was the first one I can say worked! The first one I didn't slip on. I put my hands down, and they stay there! This is the one I use when I teach. I use it when I teach simple because it's not as heavy as the Manduka mat below. Although, after much use, it's started to show some wear. I still don't care, I love this mat...and will buy others in the future. I like it because I don't slide, and it's rubber...so it has more cushion than my old mats. It feels better because it doesn't "give" as much.
Costs: Around $50 retail

2) The Manduka mat, aka theTaj Mahal of yoga mats here: http://www.amazon.com/Manduka-71-Inch-Yoga-Mat-Black/dp/B0000DZFXZ

My take: This mat is great! It's the one I recently purchased after hearing from MANY yoga teachers that this was THE mat to have. It's heavy though; it weighs almost 7 pounds!! Because of the weight, this one stays home on my floor for home practice. I don't slide, it's SUPER thick, and it's supposed to last forever. And from the ones I've seen, I believe it will. Downside: you pay extra for the Taj Mahal of yoga mats. This one costs almost $80. But, if you consider all the mats I've bought, I'm more than paid for it in awful mats!

So, check them out & see what you think. The Harmony mat is now available in 3 thicknesses. :o) BOTH of these are better for the environment than the PVC mats. Since they last longer, they are less likely to end up in landfills. But yes, both of these are more expensive than the PVC mats. You pay for quality.

If you decide you want a Harmony mat, I am set up to purchase these wholesale. If I can get an minimun order of 4 mats, I can get them cheaper than the retail price listed above. All these prices are before shipping costs, of course. Email me if interested!

These 2 mats are the only mats that get the Yoga with Marianne stamp of approval currently. You can use PVC mats...some are better than others, but if you want a good mat, and you plan to stick with yoga and want your hands to stick in Downward Facing Dog, then go ahead & invest a little more.

Your wrists, hips and knees will thank you!

Happy Yogaing!