Shanti Boutique, Yogi(ni) Jewelry for a Good Cause

Shanti Boutique, Yogi(ni) Jewelry for a Good Cause

by Crystal Water, owner and founder of Shanti Boutique

Conscious * ethical * charitable ...with these qualities in mind and action, Shanti Boutique is a fair trade business committed to producing unique jewelry, positive for people and planet.

When starting Shanti Boutique, my goal was to create a business that would not only serve as my dream job, but also make a difference in the world. So how can creating and selling jewelry achieve that? Well it's pretty simple: create meaningful jewelry that supports fair trade and charity while providing eclectic designs to conscious consumers and forward thinkers. 

Since I was a small child, I have had the pleasure to have many Tibetan friends. Altruism, hospitality and non-violence are just a few of the many wonderful qualities that Tibetan culture embodies. And they are also qualities we need so much in the world today. However, because many Tibetans are in exile and spread throughout the world, their culture is endangered. This is why I want to work to help preserve it. 

"Heart-centered activism" is what Jungian analyst and author, Dr Jean Shinoda Bolen, uses to describe working for a cause that is "meaningful, fun and motivated by love", thus becoming your soul work. Driven by this heart-centered activism, Shanti Boutique works with the Tibetan Children's Education Foundation TCEF, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture with a focus on Children's Education. Our involvement with TCEF is both active and financial. We donate 10% of the profits to TCEF as well as sponsoring a child and 2 grandparents. Since 2000, I've also been blessed to serve as a board member for TCEF. 

Through doing our soul work, we hope to offer you great jewelry that truly has a meaning far beyond it's artistic expression and works to improve lives. Enjoy our products and share the shanti!

View the Shanti Boutique Jewelry Collection at DownDog Boutique here: Shanti Boutique Jewelry

Dying to know more?

-Tibetan Children's Eduction www.tibetchild.org and 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tibetan-Childrens-Education-Foundation/123107491054209

-Fair Trade Federation www.fairtradefederation.org

-Dr Jean Shinoda Bolen and heart-centered activism http://www.jeanshinodabolen.com

Britain's oldest supermodel Daphne Self

On November 20th 2012 Jenice Gaddis one of our Brand Ambassadors posted this picture of Daphne Selfe simply because she was inspired by the image and how elegantly beautiful Daphne looked in her pose.

Here is what Jenice said:

"This beautiful 83 year old woman is my inspiration. She proves that yoga is ageless, it is our Youth Serum, its strenth, its power, its beauty incarnate. ~JG"
I did some extra digging to find out more about Daphne who is indeed 83 and still working as a model and living in England.


I found a couple of newspaper articles from the UK which give a deal of her life story. Daphne describes herself as "Britains oldest Supermodel"

Here is the first story from London's Daily Mail:

Daily Mail

The second story is from three years ago but gives more information so is worth a read:

The Independent

To sign up for our weekly newsletter and get more stories like Daphne's sign up here:

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www.downdogboutique.com

DownDog Boutique is an online boutique of Yoga Clothes, Jewelry, Mats & More run by Yoga lovers who enjoy sharing stories and all things Yoga.

Do plus size women want Yoga Clothes?

It is a pretty simple question: Do plus size women want Yoga Clothes? (I am quite sure that size 14 model Lizzie Miller shown here would look just fine in hers.)

The answers as always are a little more complex than you might think.

We have been looking at each of our Yoga manufacturers as they bring us their collections and most appear to stop at Large size or in a few cases Extra Large. Plus size appears to be defined as size 14 and above. 

We have asked a few of the manufacturers why no plus sizes? The answer appears to come down to a few main issues:

1. The manufacturers think that making plus sizes may represent a risk. Retailers who will buy the clothing hopefully in volume are risk averse by nature and usually want to do what has worked before. Plus size Yoga clothing is fairly unusual so has little track record of sales. Catch 22.

2. The way clothing is made requires careful control of waste and materials. Quality Yoga clothes in particular use expensive "stretchy" cloth. Sizes are ganged together to maximize yield so small sizes are cut with large etc. When you get to plus sizes you use more of the expensive material so the pricing needs to be higher at both wholesale and retail. Will plus size consumers pay more for the larger sizes or will they feel ripped off?

3. Will larger people who are exercising (Yoga clothing denotes some form of exercise) pay a high price for an item of clothing when they may well lose weight doing the exercise? Are they more likely to buy cheaper plus sized sweat pants (we discovered during research for this post that Champion one of our suppliers carries plus size sweat pants so we plan on adding them to our site soon)

We got into detailed discussion with one particular manufacturer who makes Yoga Clothes in the USA. As he doesn't need to bring over container loads of inventory from China he may be willing to create a plus sized Yoga line if the market is there and he can sell at least reasonable volume.

So we have set out to answer the simple question: Will plus sized women buy Yoga Clothes?

Please give us feedback at our website or on Facebook where we plan to post this story too, if you are sized 14 or above and have an opinion.

http://downdogboutique.com/contact.htm

Guest Blog by Kristin Khederian of Om Shanti Marketing

This article is reproduced by kind permission of Kristin Khederian of Om Shanti Marketing.

It was originally posted on Kristin's blog on 11/18/12

Spruce up your Holiday Marketing

It's that time of the year again...The malls already have their Holiday Decorations out and retailers (both brick & mortar and online) are pushing holiday gifts in full force. But what about the Wellness Industry? How can we get our clients to jump on the gift giving band wagon without being cheesy or over-the-top? How do you best promote possibly the most important gift of all...The Gift of Health?!

Here are Om Shanti Marketing's Top Tips for Wellness Industry Holiday Marketing Success 

Offer a Great Discount on a Class Card or Unlimited Membership

Many studios are offering amazing discounts right now on Class Cards and Unlimited Memberships that can ONLY be used through the Holidays. For example, Stil Studio in Dedham is offering a $100 Holiday Unlimited Yoga Pass - unlimited yoga through Dec. 31st for only $100. Super smart since this is the time of year where most people give up on their fitness plans because they are too stressed out and consumed with work events, holidays parties, etc. However, a great deal like this will likely motivate your students to come to class more often, allowing them to experience a happier and less stressful Holiday Season and you to fill your classes. It's a no brainer and a win-win for both sides!

Offer a Creative Promotion that also Supports a Good Cause
People love to be charitable during the Holiday Season and help others that aren't so fortunate, so why not offer a great promotion at your studio that not only helps to drive business for you, but also helps others? Genius! One of my clients, Balance Studio in Cohasset, is offering a great promotion this season that also benefits Toys for Tots. You can buy one of their Balance Studio Water Bottles for just $10 and $5 of that goes directly to Toys for Tots. Each water bottle also has a great prize in it, such as gift certificates, magnets, coupons for free health food and drinks, etc. They are also offering $10 off your next class card or monthly membership purchase if you donate an actual toy to Toys for Tots. Just a few examples of great promotions that encourage giving and generosity this Holiday Season and boost your studio's sales.

Offer Specialized Workshops that Help your Clients De-Stress
The Holidays are certainly one of the most stressful times of the year. Help your clients de-stress by offering them the chance to partake in specialized workshops that help them in this area. The result? Happier clients and more business/profits for your studio derived from these special events. Inner Strength Studios in Watertown is offering a special "December De-Stress" workshop with Rebecca Pacheco, geared to "give your mind, body and spirit a lift to last through the season." Consider adding an event like this to your studio's workshop schedule. 

Gift Cards - The Gift that Keeps on Giving!
This one is sort of a no-brainer but make sure to offer Gift Cards for classes and other services at your studio. Since your clients are obviously into yoga, pilates, wellness, etc. chances are they want to share that love with someone close to them. Make sure to promote these Gift Cards as "Giving the Gift of Health" - it's the best gift you can possibly give and it's true! You could also offer some sort of a promotion around Gift Cards. For example, buy a Gift Card over $100 in value and get a free $15 Gift Card for yourself or someone else. 

Cheers to a blissful and successful Holiday Season! 
Kristin Khederian

www.downdogboutique.com

DownDog Boutique says "Hello to Anjali Jewelry"

We are delighted to welcome Hema Santhanam and her Anjali Creations Jewelry to DownDog Boutique.

The Yoga inspired silk wraps are simply stunning!

See the whole collection here: Anjali Jewelry

www.downdogboutique.com

Holiday Sale Game of Skill win $50 Gift card!

LGFTHOAOTM Sale!

www.downdogboutique.com

Like most other sites we are having a great sale to kick off the Holiday season. We are giving the usual up to 30% off kind of sale promotion but our sale unlike almost all the others comes with a weird name and a chance to win a $50 gift card in a game of skill and wit.

This is not your regular old Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Purple Tuesday (I made that one up) kind of sale. This is a LGFTHOAOTM Sale!

We figured you could use some extra entertainment during the holidays and so here is your chance to win a $50 gift card by using your skill and ingenuity. Figure out what the letters mean and post it in the comments below. In a very complicated algorithm worthy of Google but mainly involving a large glass of wine and which one makes us laugh loudest on Sunday night will win a $50 gift card.

By a stroke of genius planning there will still be time to spend the $50 card in the LGFTHOAMATM sale on Monday and snap up those bargains for free.

Rules are simple. There is a real answer but if yours is better and makes us laugh that’s OK we will just pretend we were clever enough to think that up first. No curse words or offensive words were used so please keep it clean and suitable for a family audience. Have fun and you can enter as many times as you like.

Likes from other people will count towards a winning entry too so do your best to persuade your friends to like your comment and you increase your chances of winning the $50!

A quick DownDog Boutique guide to Acro Yoga

A quick DownDog Boutique guide to Acro Yoga

I have been seeing an increasing number of images lately on Pinterest where couples are performing  spectacular Yoga poses together.

You can see all the couples images here on our Pinterest board: Couples doing Yoga


 I have seen a few references to Acro-Yoga in this context and that set me to wondering what AcroYoga was all about. Here is a quick guide to what I discovered (Mostly thanks to Wikipedia):

Acro-yoga is a physical practice which blends elements of yoga, acrobatics, and healing arts.These three ancient practices form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, connection and playfulness between partners.

There are two schools of Acroyoga. Acroyoga Montreal, led by Jessie Goldberg and Eugene Poku, has used the term since 2001 brings together acrobatics, yoga and dance/performance. Acroyoga Inc., which began in California with Jason Nemer and Jenny Klein and was labelled as acroyoga in 2006. The latter practices brings together acrobatics, yoga and Thai massage. Both schools offer teaching certifications, and despite some differences have many similar poses.
There are three primary roles in an Acro-yoga practice: base, flyer, and spotter.

Base - this is the individual who has the most points of contact with the ground. Often this person is lying on the ground with the entire back torso in full contact. This enables both the arms and legs to be "bone-stacked" for maximum stability and support of the Flyer. Main points of contact with the flyer are the feet (generally placed on the Flyer's hips or stomach) and the hands (which either form handholds or grasp the shoulders). The Base represents stability and grounding.

Flyer - this is the individual who is elevated off the ground by the Base. The Flyer can move into a series of dynamic positions, and generally lets gravity do the work for them. A Flyer needs balance, confidence, and core strength. The Flyer represents freedom and dynamic balance.

Spotter - this is the individual who has an objective view of the partners, and whose entire focus is on making sure that the Flyer lands safely in case of any slips. The spotter can also make recommendations to the Base and Flyer to improve their form. The spotter represents safety and guidance.

www.downdogboutique.com

DownDog Boutique says "Hello to Nayad Aqua Sportswear"

We are as happy as a clam with a custom bathing suit to welcome Nayad Aqua Sportswear aboard!

Custom Aqua Sportswear

Nayad presents a line of multipurpose aqua sportswear that is ideal for any activity, in or out of the water.  Unlike traditional sports bathing suits, Nayad designs are aesthetically beautiful; yet unlike fashion swimwear they will out-perform most athletic garments.  Nayad suits are made by hand to your measurements, aesthetic and style preferences.  They provide soft but firm support without the use of wires, knots, buckles, padding, clasps, hooks or hardware of any kind.  They dry quickly and will not chafe, hike up or fall off.  Nayad proudly caters to the strong, post-modern woman who won't abide constriction. 

See the Nayad Collection here:  Nayad Aqua Sportswear

Why we love Nayad:  

Nayad Aqua Sportswear is perfect for Hot Yoga, Yoga on the beach or in the pool, Paddle board Yoga and of course for swimming or any other activity!
Each piece is custom made for your body type and hand crafted for you in the USA and designed by YOU!  Made for active women.

Press Release November 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kristin Berkery, (888) 841-4262, namaste@downdogboutique.com, www.downdogboutique.com


DownDogBoutique.com Bursts on to the Yoga Social Media Scene

SACRAMENTO, CA (November 14, 2012) - In the fast-growing world of Yoga and Activewear websites is a new arrival enjoying immediate success using social media. DownDogBoutique.com, a Sacramento, California, startup has nearly 3500 new friends on its Facebook page since it launched in late August 2012. The company has put social media at the heart of its marketing strategy and it's paying fast dividends.

With almost 20 million people practicing Yoga in the U.S., Yoga Activewear has become one of the fastest growing categories of clothing and product sales. Combine that with double-digit sales growth year-over-year in online sales and you have the perfect case for an online Yoga boutique focused on the customer.

DownDog Boutique's product showcase is focused on organic Yoga clothing and accessories, handmade eco-friendly jewelry, and products that fit the “Yoga lifestyle.” DownDog Boutique Brand Ambassador and Yoga instructor Jenice Gaddis says, “I love the fact that we've brought together many smaller manufacturers and you can shop them in one place rather than searching lots of sites.”

The company offers its customers unique Yoga products from quality small manufacturers in one accessible online location. Twenty-five brands and 1000+ products are showcased on the site from:
Green Apple Organic Yoga Clothing, Synergy Organic Yoga Clothing, Jonano Organic Clothing,
Jala Clothing, Nayad Aqua Sportswear, Earth Yoga Organic Clothing, Hyde Organic Yoga Clothing,
Body Angel Activewear, Chakras by Didi, Yoga Styles Clothing, Electric Yoga, BelaBela, Doce Vida, Champion, Random Balance Jewelry, and My Om Designs Jewelry. There is also a selection of Yoga books and DVDs.

DownDogBoutique.com believes it's found a winning formula in social media marketing. Traffic to the company website from Facebook has made up over half of all visits so far, with a significant number being tablet and mobile users. Kristin Berkery, Marketing Consultant and Brand Ambassador, attributes the rapid growth on Facebook to the curation of wide-ranging Yoga-inspired content. “As Yoga lovers ourselves, we're sharing content that inspires and interests us. People that love Yoga tend to be passionate about it and love to engage with others like themselves online.” The company has an active Pinterest and Twitter presence too, but Facebook so far has proved the main traffic driver.

Along with its focus on customers' interests, DownDog Boutique offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and personalized customer service. One happy customer remarked:  “I emailed DownDog Boutique regarding an issue with a product that didn’t fit well and got a response less than 24 hours later. They really do put the customer first! I don't usually shop online due to poor experiences in customer service, but DownDog Boutique is different from most online stores. No hassle, no stress, just real human beings doing great work."

###

30% off Green Apple Organic Yoga Clothing!

30% off Green Apple Organic Yoga Clothing!

Green Apple Organic Yoga Clothing is on SALE at 30% off listed on our site!!

Nearly everything has been marked down. This sale will last until quantities are gone so shop now!  

This Hoodie pictured below is marked down to $56 from $80. I have this exact Hoodie and love it. It's beautiful, stylish and made really well. 

Shown below are just a few of the cute clothes on sale!  To see the entire line, follow the link below and order today before it's too late :) 

http://downdogboutique.com/category_47/Green-Apple-Organic-Yoga-Clothing.htm

DownDog Boutique says "Hello My Om Designs"

We are as happy as a dog with two tails to welcome Meaghan Young and her My Om Designs collection of Yoga Inspired Jewelry to DownDogBoutique.com

See the collection here:  My Om Designs

Meaghan Young founder of My Om Designs is a goldsmith, designer, yoga teacher and holistic health practitioner. She studied goldsmithing at The New Approach School for Jewelers in Virginia Beach. She now lives in Crested Butte, CO with her son.

My Om Designs offers handmade jewelry inspired by yoga, culture, and a love for the divine and natural world. In order to respect and preserve the earth, from where all jewelry products originate, My Om uses unmined, recycled metals, fair trade gemstones, conflict free diamonds, and 100% recycled packaging.

DownDog Boutique says "Hello Synergy Organic Yoga Clothing"

We are delighted to welcome Synergy Organic Yoga Clothing to our boutique yoga site.

About Synergy Organic Yoga Clothing 

The seeds of Synergy were planted in 1993, by Kate Fisher, when she set off for Nepal and India with adventure in her eyes. In the midst of her extensive travels in Asia she started buying textiles and clothing that she sold upon her return home. A business was born. Synergy was created in the spirit of adventure and with the vision of being a synergy of both Eastern and Western design influences. 

In time, after the birth of their first child in 2006, she partnered up with her husband Henry Schwab. Together they have integrated her interest in clothing and textile design, with his experience of having worked for GreenPeace and co-founding Phish's touring division of The Waterwheel Foundation. With a shared vision of a sustainable business model, and with the help of many, they are creating a business that reflects their organic roots and adventurous spirits. 

Synergy makes clothing that combines sustainability, with modern yet timeless design. We strive to make clothing that looks good, and is also gentle on the Earth. We predominantly work with G.O.T.S certified organic cotton from India, that is dyed with low impact dyes. Our clothing is hand made in Nepal, according to fair trade practices, verified by our long-term relationships with our manufacturers and our frequent trips to Nepal.

View the collection here: Synergy Organic Yoga Clothing

DownDog Boutique says "Hello Jala Clothing"

We are delighted to welcome Jala Clothing to DownDogBoutique.com

Jala Clothing was established in 2008 by an artist, yoga studio owner and yoga practitioner who aspired to create positive changes through inspirational yoga apparel.

In Sanskrit, "jala" translates to “water” or “sacred waters of life”. In yoga, water symbolizes transformation, creativity, and adaptability. Jala’s logo, the lotus flower, symbolizes infinite possibilities within oneself and the potential to connect to a higher consciousness. Jala's soft fabrics, comfortable flowing styles and unique designs embody this feeling.

View the collection here: Jala Clothing

See the Jala Clothing line here

Goodbye my Big Fat Chunky Calves. Hello Knee High Boots

Many thanks again to Doreen Hing from Plank Designs for this guest blog!  

Goodbye my Big Fat Chunky Calves. Hello Knee High Boots.

A Non Surgical Way To Re-Sculpt Calves (Part One)

By Doreen Hing, owner of Plank Designs 

Hands down (or rather feet down), my regular yoga practice helped to resculpt my “chunky and plumpy” fat calves and I have boots to prove it…

For those who have big, chubby, chunky, fat, muscular, plumpy, strong, sausage calves and want (or need!) to wear knee high boots—but can’t—read how this “well heeled guru,” care of a yoga practice, is now able to wear them. Just when I thought all hope had gone.

Put yourself in my shoes. Literally. My job as a shoe designer who shopped several times a year, traveling to cities all over that are meccas for shoe and fashion designs, for all intents purposes was awesome and well paid. I created my own schedule and travel budget and got to be über creative.

Yet, every fall—when the high of arriving in one of my favorite capitals in the world was uploading into my system, as soon as “we” entered the first gorgeous shoe store—it was inevitable that I would come crashing down to a sorry-for-myself low.

Why? Because “we”—my cute, same sized five-foot-five petite footed and trim calved friend and partner in shoe shopping crime and I, with my fat sausage calves—would line up our personal selections.

And here’s where my heart ache began.

Undoubtedly during the fall season, there would be an array of boots of all heel and shaft heights. My selection would be heavier on the mid-calf or short bootie styles (pun intended) with maybe one knee high shaft boot with the widest opening plus stretch plus zipper plus every adjustment feature possible. It wasn’t the most gorgeous boot in the store, but it was the most likely to fit.

It didn’t matter how much stock I invested into my mathematical, illogical and logical thinking, it never worked out. As much as I adored my lil’ shopping colleague, whenever she zipped up or pulled on a mutually desired boot with ease, I have to admit, my “They look fantastic” was laced with envy, more envy and self-loathing.

So how did I cope seeing my sausage calves bulging over tops of boot shafts, while my shopping buddy slid her credit card with the same ease as she tried on boots? Well I used to do stuff like this…

1)  Declare how we found these great boots and then in the same breath find something to criticize… The boots look great and if it wasn’t for me, she would have never have worn them with that skirt.


2)  Pretend to be okay in the skin I’m in 90 percent of the time.


3)  Try boots on hiding from store assistants or view. Pretend to be okay in the skin I’m in.


4)  Be okay with the shorter bootie. They were always cheaper and they always made a statement. And be okay in the skin I’m in 10 percent of the time…


5)  Stretch calves, the mindless way, at every given step or moment (fail).


6)  Have sample factory room make custom boots for me (fail). When the pattern makers started laughing at the size of the paper pattern required to make me a pair of custom boots, I chose not to follow through.


7)  Plot when I sold my first container of Plank yoga mats, to schedule a calf shaving surgery that is only successfully performed in Korea, for what is endearingly termed “radish calf.” (Folks, although I’d love for you to buy more mats, I’m letting you know early on—surgery was not required.)


8)  Give up on my dream, as a shoe designer, of ever wearing a knee high boot.

The list could go on, however taking you to my lowest, chunkiest calf point misery is not my goal.

My goal is sharing with you that what they do say about yoga transforming the body, mind and soul is indeed true.

Although I didn’t believe it then. I had all but given up on the quest for the boot shaft that doth fit, however, in the fall of 2008, at the ripe old age of 41—after wondering for several months if my calves looked slimmer—I thought maybe it was time to revisit.

My ah-ha moment happened thanks to a pair of Frye Engineer boots, in grey/black ombre patent leather. I was fully prepared to open up the shaft adjustments and all. I hesitantly lowered my foot into the shaft and to my cautious surprise, my foot dropped all the way to the insole.

Just like one of the contestants in the Biggest Losers, who drops 10 plus pounds or more, my inner ego went crazy—trumpets and songs of Hallelujah were booming.

This moment turned my wardrobe world and my belief system in what’s possible upside down.

Sometimes when I share this story, I hear women tell me how they struggle to find boots that fit, since their calves are too skinny and my head wants to scream STFU (Shut The F**k Up). Having learned that most people, including myself, don’t really listen and only want to talk about their agenda, I get it.

However, skinny calf bitch, this really is not about you, this is about my many years of lack of confidence and the impact it had and no longer, has on my life.

More importantly, the reasons why I want to share this insight is a) for other women who have similar calf concerns (my goal is to get everybody to the mat) hoping this information will make a difference, and b) in my Iyengar Class yesterday, we did a series of calf stretches, which was great for the bio-mechanical benefits for pose work.

For me, the mental benefits of finally having calves that are bootable wins hands (or rather feet down) and I can’t wait to share them with you…

I don’t have the skinniest calves in the world, however I’m able to wear knee high boots and that’s what matters (to me). I know without a doubt, that this is a result of my regular yoga practice.

For those who aren’t okay with their chunky mofo plumpy calves, (you know I say this with love, as I know a lot about what you are feeling), I’ll share with you the hows and whys in my next elephant blog post.

For those of you who are okay with the skin you’re in, thanks for reading this all the way to the end. And hope you’ll check out part two.

October Restorative Pose of The Month

Many thanks to Diana Ross of Breast Cancer Yoga for this guest blog!

Diana Ross, E-RYT500  -  

www.breastcanceryoga.com

"This simple yet effect restorative yoga pose can heal scarred muscles from surgeries. Overall tightness and tenderness in the shoulder and chest can be gently relieved especially if you draw the extended arm up, and then overhead. It is a pose which isolates a very distinct area that tends to become wounded by breast cancer."

Arm Under Chest

Instructions

1. Begin on your back with knees bent in PARTIAL RECLINE. A neck roll or pillow can be used for added    comfort.

2. Lift hips up, slide right arm, palm down underneath lower back so you can see finger tips on left side. 

STOP IF YOU FEEL PAIN. Lower hips down and extend legs.

3. Relax - breathe into the right side of upper chest until you feel a release in shoulder muscles.  

4. Once the shoulder relaxes experiment sliding hand up your back towards shoulder blades.

5. INHALE, left arm up and overhead for bigger additional stretch to breast region.

Flow arm back up and down. 

6. When ready hold pose for 3/5 breaths.

7. EXHALE lower arm back down, lift hips up and release arm from underneath.

8. Repeat on other arm.

Benefits

• Promote lymph circulation around axilla

• Helps heal scarring muscles and added tightness

• Increases internal rotation and shoulder mobility

• Strengthens scapula stabilizing muscle

• Opens and lift chest

• Increases ROM of shoulder joints - frozen shoulder

• Increases internal rotation and shoulder mobility.

• Releases shoulder tension that rounds your shoulders and binds your upper arm

Free $50 Gift Cards in October

Who wants a free $50 Gift Card?


We will be giving away two $50 gift cards to spend on anything at DownDogBoutique.com in October!

Just sign up to receive our weekly newsletter to be entered

Facebook sign up is here: signup

Website sign up is here: signup
 

The Mind of a Yoga Mat Designer

Many thanks to Doreen for providing this guest blog!

The Mind of a Yoga Mat Designer 

By Doreen Hing, Owner of Plank Designs

I’m asked from time to time how I came up with idea of creating Plank Yoga Mats. Typically, I give some light, off the cuff anecdote that I wanted to create a cool looking mat, which was the initial goal. However, as a designer, I am trained to create something that adds value beyond an idea’s original conception. So let’s breakdown a product designer’s # 1 tool, the Form and Function tool…

FORM
Imagery: When I first conceived the idea of Art Images on Yoga Mats I found the opportunities of imagery to be limitless. From simple graphics, to loved one’s pets, to yoga symbolism and beyond – every image under the sun seemed to be at my disposal. So for Plank, it was important to define what makes a Plank image and what a Plank image is NOT. Here is some of the what Plank images are NOT…

• Cute like Pets. Pretty like Flowers. Cool like Clouds

• Gag producing, yoga obvious or generic images, e.g. Lotus flowers, OM symbols or inspirational words like ‘Breathe or Karma’

Seriously does anyone need another version of the OM symbol...

• What a Plank image is…

• Trompe L’oeil
• Thought provoking, with several layers of interpretation
• Ironic, audacious and relevant
• Gallery Quality images

Making it relevant, or at least audacious...

The Photographer: Due to the art quality nature of Plank’s images, we thus require to use photographers who can meet the design brief and also work with the hidden technical issues that go along with creating high resolution images for large surface areas. For this initial series of images, we used Christopher Harting, whose ironic stills, skills best captured our intentions. For those that maybe interested, the logistical stories behind the visual stories of each yoga mat image, one day I’ll share…

Materials: It goes without saying that for Plank, the base material for the yoga mat has to be made with the latest eco technologies and materials. Of all the materials that are currently available, we used Natural Rubber for its density, natural grip qualities and its ability to breakdown when its time is up.

FUNCTION

Grip: As a product developer, when creating a product, we are typically presented with several options that can answer the project brief. It is our job then, to weigh the pros and cons of each suggestion. Here is a typical question from my supplier: “Do I want the mat to be grippy in hot or room temp yoga classes?” Of course, my answer was, “I want the mats to work for all yoga styles.” To which they asked me, but not using idioms or metaphors, if I want Plank to be a Jack of all trades or a Master of None. To which, we choose Mastery. Thus, they presented a grip layer that is activated with the heat and pressure from hands and feet. We saw this an opportunity to create an incredible mastery of Foundations. All training tools work when all criteria are properly applied or engaged, e.g. Fitness Balls or SLKZ Refiner Pro Graphite Golf Club. These tools show you the muscle memory required or else you fail. Thus, at Plank we state clearly, we make no apologies if you slip when using a Plank Yoga mat. We want the practioner to discover and apply every square millimeter of their hands/feet foundations to a PYM, to then witness immediately a power and strength created in their arms and legs.Ideally, once you have gained what we call “Ridiculous Body Awareness” or “Mastery of Foundations” as a result of using a PYM, Plank would love you to take this insight to be able to practice anywhere, on any surface, with or without a Plank mat.

As a designer, floating my boat = creating a product that looks great and is often reward enough. However, creating a product that can really make a difference to an individuals health and well-being, by having the practioners experience more advanced muscle memory, is the most satisfying part of a product designer’s job. Like the iPhone makes the complex functions of a computer and telephone seamless and easy, Plank Yoga Mats makes the complex body technology creating optimum body effectiveness of power and/or self-healing, immediate, doable and real.

Gift worthy: Plank Yoga Mats were specifically designed to create gift worthy yoga products. It was an intentional part of the design brief to create an opportunity for gift buying that could make a difference to people’s health and wellbeing, whether it be a gift to self, or for a loved one or even a stressed out boss.

Choosing a manufacturer: When researching a manufacturer to create Plank’s Yoga Mats, since the concept of Art on Yoga Mats was and still is new to the yoga market place, it was important to find a manufacturer who was had ethical business practices and was willing to investigate and become vested in the concept. Since Plank’s manufacturing partners practice yoga, they already were connected to the yoga community, and for me it was their mindset that set them apart. Their core vision is to care for the environment, their end consumers and their partners. Having worked with many manufacturers in Asia and domestically in the US, you just know when this is just talk or is the real deal. For me, I don’t look for Made in USA or Asia. What matters to me, is, Made with Mutual Respect.

Plank doesn’t mind not being the #1 yoga mat in the market place to service all types of yoga styles and levels. However, what matters to Plank is that we are the number #1 yoga mat to teach. We teach bigger and freer and more expansive poses which are the result of a muscle memory experience that allows the practioner to know what it takes to create truly grounded and real solid foundations.