Yoga Essentials -- Tools for Mind & Body Fitness
Written: Aug 23 '03 (Updated Sep 27 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Mat is a good size, comfortable and portable. Props are useful. A good kit.
Cons: Video could be longer with a better yoga workout. Mat curls at one end.
The Bottom Line: This kit is a great way to purchase several useful yoga tools less expensively than if buying each item separately.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Yoga Essentials Toolkit |
I've never been one to stick with an exercise program for any length of time (I think two months is my longest dedication to any one plan!). So I'm incredibly pleased to say that I've been practicing yoga for about a year now. Not only does yoga relax me and tone my body, but I've noticed my breathing and posture are better, and my appetite has decreased. I have more energy. And with my busy life style, I need that natural energy boost!
The Yoga Essentials Toolkit
This kit comes with the following:
* Non-slip Yoga Mat (1/4" thick x 24" wide x 68" long)
* Reinforced Cotton Strap with Buckle (1 1/2" wide x 6' long)
* Two Lightweight Foam Bricks (3" deep x 5 1/2" wide x 9" long)
* VHS Video on How to Use Props (26 minutes long)
While shopping in Kohl's, I noticed the Yoga Essentials Toolkit by Livingarts. It normally sells for $39.99 ... and was on clearance for $5.00! How could I resist?
When I arrived home, I immediately opened the carton. Everything is neatly arranged and well packed in the box. What to try first? .... I pulled out the yoga mat.
The Yoga Mat
My yoga mat color is aqua, though I have often seen the mats in purple (purple apparently being the most common color for this kit). The mat is tightly rolled in the box, and once it is unrolled, I challenge you to try fitting it back into the box. It can be done ... but the mat has to be rolled so that the edges are perfectly even. When rolled, the diameter of the mat is 3 3/4".
At first touch, the mat is not sticky like some yoga mats. Both sides of the mat are in a waffle pattern. I like this textured feel. My feet stay in place on the mat, and the mat does not shift while I am using it. One thing I find is that the mat tends to stay rolled at one end, not laying flat, which is a bother. The size of this mat is great for using at home or taking to yoga class. It would have been nice if the kit also came with a bag for the mat -- but I can't complain for $5.00!
All in all, I am delighted with this yoga mat. It is comfortable to use, easy to store, and is portable.
To learn more about choosing the right yoga mat for you, please read my Epinion:
Choosing the Right Yoga Mat
The Foam Bricks
To coordinate with my mat, these two lightweight bricks are a matching aqua color. (The purple mat comes with purple colored foam bricks.) The bricks are a weird consistency. They feel almost velvety and are hard. They will show scratches and mars. I haven't used the bricks too often. I can see where they will be durable; but if given hard use, they won't always look pretty.
When I first saw these bricks, I had no idea how to use them in my yoga practice. Then a knowledgeable friend explained that the bricks are known as "props" and are used in doing certain yoga poses. If a person has difficulty positioning their body at certain angles, or needs a little extra height, the foam bricks come in handy. The bricks also help to create proper alignment of the body.
For instance, when doing Downward Dog, the hands and feet are positioned on the floor, with a person's rearend stretching toward the sky, the head hangs downward freely -- the body forms an inverted V. This is a simplified explanation of the posture, but hopefully you can "see" the pose. Not everyone can easily place their hands flat on the floor while also standing on the flats of their feet. By placing a foam brick beneath each hand, letting the hands rest flat on the bricks, Downward Dog is easier to do. Eventually, with practice of the pose, the bricks may no longer be necessary to use.
Sometimes I find the bricks helpful, particularly when following a yoga video where props are used as part of the exercise session. As a rule, the bricks are not part of my daily yoga routine. Note: Use the bricks on a flat surface so that they don't tip over during use.
To learn more about yoga bricks, please read my Epinion:
Everything You Need to Know about Yoga Bricks
The Cotton Strap
The strap is a natural off-white color. The strap is sturdy, but I was surprised to see it had a plastic buckle. I would think a metal buckle would be better. My first thought was, "Why did they include a belt in the kit?" Then I learned that holding both ends of the strap while in a yoga pose, one end of the strap in each hand, can help achieve a deeper yoga position or aid in correctly aligning the body in a pose. Using the buckle, the strap can be formed into a circle, which can be used in various yoga positions. The yoga strap can help a person hold poses longer, too.
On occasion the yoga strap helps me maintain yoga positions. I don’t use it on a regular basis, but I'm glad to own one. Note: Don't place the buckle against the skin while doing yoga. This could cause chaffing or injury.
To learn more about using a yoga strap, please read my Epinion:
Using A Yoga Strap without Strapping Yourself
The Video
The VHS Video is listed as 26 minutes long and is titled "LivingYoga Presents How to Use Props" with the note: Includes Bonus 10-minute workout. The first 1 1/2 minutes of the video features advertising for Livingarts products. Disclaimers about exercising, liability, etc. take another half minute. Then there are about 13 minutes of instruction on how to use the yoga mat, strap, and foam blocks. At the end of the video is a 10 minute workout with instructor Suzanne Deason. Toward the end of the video during Suzanne's brief wrap-up dialogue, lines appeared on my television screen and the video jumped before resuming a normal viewing image.
Using the Props
Instructor Suzanne Deason has an assistant who does the yoga moves using the props while Suzanne describes the poses. First discussed is the yoga mat and how it provides cushioning and a temperature barrier from the floor while keeping the hands and feet in place. The advise given about the mat is obvious. Next, Suzanne demonstrates how to buckle the strap. She says using the strap compensates for tight hips, shoulders and ham strings. Then the bricks are shown using various yoga poses. Suzanne instructs that the height of the bricks builds the floor up, helping to build support for the torso and also helps with body alignment.
My thoughts on this segment:
It is short, and while this section of video covers the uses of the various yoga tools, it doesn't go into any real depth regarding them. I came away knowing more than I did, which wasn't hard since I didn't know anything about using the strap or bricks. If this segment were longer with more variations on how to use the props, I would have found it even more useful. I don't watch this segment often.
The 10-minute Workout
This is a brief stretching workout involving some yoga poses with the props. Some of the yoga poses are: Warrior Pose, Downward Dog, Triangle Pose, and the Cobbler Pose. Suzanne Deason demonstrates the moves with clarity and precision, obviously comfortable doing the poses. However, she doesn't stay in the poses for any length of time. I guess while presenting a 10-minute workout, one has to move fast.
My thoughts on this segment:
I would have preferred at least a 20-minute workout, taking the time to explore more poses. I didn't feel as though I gained much from the short exercise time. I viewed the workout session once. If it wasn't located as the last segment on the tape, I might consider giving the workout another try. The workout uses all the props. Also, this workout is not geared toward a beginner, particularly with the challenging use of the strap in the Cobbler Pose. If you want a better yoga workout, I suggest trying the Yoga Zone line of tapes and DVDs. I really enjoy those.
To read a more detailed opinion about this video, please see my Epinions review:
The Basics: How to Use Yoga Props
Summary
I'm glad I discovered this kit at a bargain price. I use the yoga mat the most and find that the bricks and strap are helpful for difficult poses or to align my body correctly during certain moves. The video is a nice, if brief, introduction to the props. If you are interested in owning the props as well as the mat, this is a good value. If purchasing these Livingarts products separately, the mat would sell for about $20, each foam brick would cost about $10, the strap about $7, the "How to Use Props" video costs $10 -- a total cost of $57.00. The kit can be purchased in many stores as well as online for about $40. For someone wanting a variety of yoga tools, this is an excellent way to buy them.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Care of Yoga Essentials Tools
Store in a cool, dry place.
Mat: Use damp cloth to clean the yoga mat. Dry with a towel. Avoid placing in excessive sunlight.
Bricks: Use damp cloth to clean the bricks. Dry with a towel. Avoid placing in excessive sunlight.
Strap: Machine washable.
There is no warranty or guarantee for this product.
Please read my other reviews:
JVC XV-N44SL DVD Player
Gateway 500X Desktop Computer
HP LaserJet 2200dse Printer
HP LaserJet 1000 Printer
Logitech Cordless Freedom Optical Keyboard and Mouse
Logitech Mouseman Cordless Optical
Belkin Home Office UPS Emergency Battery Backup
Copyright 2003 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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