Yoga is one of the best ways to stop rushing around and relax. For those special people in your life who love to blow off steam in this peaceful way (namaste!), these yoga gifts are sure to bring a radiant smile to their faces!
I did a lot of research to find things that are popular with people who do yoga. I also tested some on my husband, who does hot yoga. The gifts range from pretty exercise mats and inspiring T-shirts, to spiritual jewelry and essential oils. Best of all, some can help prevent injury during class.
Yoga Gifts: Popular Mats, Bags, and Towels
Yoga mats aren’t something that most people buy in pairs, so having a second one to choose from is a decadent pleasure. I chose the mats here primarily because they perform well and have gotten loads of excellent reviews on Amazon. In terms of bags, I looked for sturdy materials above all else; for towels absorbency was key.
Gaiam Sol Studio Select Dry-Grip Yoga Mat
I bought this Gaiam yoga mat for my husband as a gift to use in his hot yoga classes. He loves it and told me other people ask him all the time where he got it! It’s extra long at 78 inches (believe me, I searched every mat on Amazon to find one that would easily accommodate his height; can you feel my pain?). It’s also extra-thick (5mm), which is great for anyone prone to backaches. You can get it in shorter lengths and a 2mm thickness as well.
It comes in pretty colors, but I got him a black mat, which I combined with a purple hot yoga towel (see below). The mat is perfect because it doesn’t move around while you do. Plus, the top surface wicks away moisture. It may seem pricey, but it’s really worth the money. $75
I also bought this Yoga[Addict] large yoga mat bag to fit my husband’s hot yoga mat. Again, I had to search all over Amazon just to find one that would accommodate his 78-inch mat (the bag is extra wide at 29×11″). You’d think there would be more this size, but there aren’t.
I got it in black to match his mat. But the bag comes in lots of pretty colors like the ones show here. It also comes in a smaller size. It’s very durable and the material is thick. The sturdy zippered pocket on the outside is great for storing car keys and a phone.
BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Mat
This Yoga mat has a 4.5-star rating from more than 1,700 Amazon reviewers. It’s 71″ long x 24″ wide (great for people of all sizes); is a nice 1/2″ thick; and has a double-sided, non-slip surface, so they won’t slide around. Comes in seven solid colors and the carrying strap is included. $19.95.
YogaAccessories 1/4″ Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat
The 20 colors of these YogaAccessories Yoga mats are gorgeous. They have a 4.4-star rating from almost 1,600 reviewers on Amazon. Each mat is 1/4″ thick, for people who like to feel the floor a little more. Plus it’s extra long at 74” long x 24” wide. $20.95.
Aurorae Premium Printed Yoga Mats
These pretty Aurorae yoga mats are 3/16″ thick (5 mm thick) and 72″ long. They come in a dozen designs ranging from highly graphic (I love the full moon), to watercolor-like washes of color. $39.95 each.
A Bag for the Yoga Mat
You can sling the yoga mat over your shoulder with a carrying strap, or you can slide it into the one of these beautiful bags by Fit Spirit Tree of Life — perfect for throwing in the trunk of your car without worrying that dirt or dust will get stuck to it. They come in five colors and include two cargo pockets, which are great for storing a cell phone and keys. $13.95 each.
Reehut Yoga Blocks
You’d think yoga blocks would be alike in terms of performance; after all, they just look like a piece of thick foam. But these Reehut Yoga Blocks have gotten hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon. They’re made of high-density EVA foam block that’s eco-friendly and non-toxic. They’re also non-slip, which is essential if you’re using them to deepen your poses. They come in an array of pretty colors, too. $7-$11
Popular Books for Yoga Gifts:
The Key Poses of Yoga Book
The Key Poses of Yoga book ($6-$27) has 4.8 stars from 137 reviewers, and offers a more scientific approach to Yoga moves. The author also has written a companion book called The Key Muscles of Yoga.
Yoga Girl Book
Allure magazine calls Rachel Brathen “an international force in the world of yoga.” Her Yoga Girl book ($12-$14) has a solid 4.8-star rating from almost 200 readers on Amazon. As one, Jude Pilchard, writes about it:
It’s like when you first get the book there is this energy about it. This excitement. It is beautifully written, in a way that is encouraging, not condescending. Her poses and pictures are inspiring and the yoga sequences and recipes inside are heavenly.
Meditations from the Mat Book
This book by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison has a 4.8-rating out of 221 customer reviews on Amazon. It includes “365 meditations [that] offer a way to integrate the mindfulness that yoga teaches into everyday life.” As one anonymous reviewer says, “It is really about living well, and thoughtfully, with compassion for yourself and others.” $12-$16
Yoga Gifts for the Bedroom and Desktop
Tiny Yoga Pose Figurines
These miniature figurines by Basic Spirit will remind your favorite Yoga lover to get up from the desk and go stretch. They’re made of fine pewter, are handmade in Nova Scotia, and are less than 2″ long. $12