Bringing Your Yoga Mat on an Airplane

I am in love with my yoga mat. It isn't one of the flimsy, inexpensive ones. It is eco-friendly, cozy and purple and an integral part of my everyday life. It also has sentimental value since my fiance gave the mat to me for my birthday partly due to fact he was tired of me monopolizing his yoga mat all the time. I would recommend the Manduka mat to anyone who is looking for a comfortable and high quality mat. Here is the website for anyone who is curious.    

So when it came time to decide whether to bring it or not on a nearly half month trip, I hesitated as to whether to bring it or not. Would it get lost if I checked it in a bag? Would it get damaged if I put it in the bin with the other carry-on items. Not bringing it would mean not doing yoga for a long time though. Would I even want to hit the mat while on vacation? I decided to take it on my epic trip from Utah to San Francisco to Las Vegas then back home to Baltimore. 

Let me tell you after all five flights I was really glad that I brought my yoga mat in order to stretch out. I ended up using it only 5 times on the trip, but I found all of those practices really rewarding. From now on I will probably take my yoga mat with me on trips of any length over 5 days. Here are some tips that I have for travelers looking to bring along the yoga mat. 

1. Carry it on. There is the always the chance that your baggage will get lost in route to your destination. I felt a lot better carrying it on to the airplane with me just in case. Also, if an airline did lose my checked baggage I would probably need to practice yoga right away to stop myself from yelling at some unfortunate airport employee. Peace and love my ass, you lost my favorite top AND shoes! 

2. Strap vs. yoga mat bag. I would recommend using the yoga mat bag to avoid any substance of questionable character getting on your mat in the overhead bin. That being said, I like to live on the wild side, so I used the strap carrier to bring it with me. I haven't contracted any viruses yet, so I think I'm in the clear. 

3. Watch out for jerks with big bags. You know that person who brings the way too big carry-on. You do not want their over-sized bags squishing your mat. Although it would give you a chance to tell them what a jerk you think they are for carrying that big bag.  

4. Place your mat vertically in the bin. When you do put your mat in the bin, place it with one end towards the window and one towards the aisle. If you place it in the bin horizontally you are taking up a lot more space in the bin, and you are also more likely to get some misc. bag squishing your mat. 

5. Watch where you point that thing! I know I hit some people in the elbows (possibly one man in the face) accidentally by not really paying attention how my mat was situated when getting on and off the plane. When you are transporting the mat, make sure to have it situated so you aren't whacking everyone you pass like I did.     

6. Bring your back-up yoga mat. If you have a back-up mat consider taking it instead of your beloved first string yoga mat. Perhaps then you can consider just check it and hoping for the best. Make sure that you make direct eye contact with the airline employee you hand it to and say "don't screw this up". Actually, don't do that. Good luck fitting in a suitcase! Sorry, for that part you are on your own! 

Free Yoga Week at the Yoga Center of Columbia

The Yoga Center of Columbia offers free introductory courses at their facility on the first week of each session. This free week runs July 8-14. Here is a link to all of the free classes they will be offering.

If it is your first time going to the Yoga Center of Columbia, give yourself extra time to find it. You enter the building on the side facing away from the road. The studio is down the entrance hallway then to the right. If in doubt follow the people carrying yoga mats! It is a good idea to check out the studio street-view on Google to give you a good idea of what the parking lot and facility looks like.

Once you find it, it is a great facility. Parking is never a problem. The teachers are always friendly, helpful and polite. There are nice dressing rooms to store your shoes, jackets, etc. They use props to accommodate all skill levels. They teach in a style that is very specific to let you know exactly what every part of your body should be doing making each class a physical and mental challenge.

If you do plan on signing up for classes, I recommend trying out as many teachers as possible during free week. The teachers all press their students at different levels. With one teacher you may not break a sweat, but with other teachers you may leave feeling like you just faced one of the most challenging yoga classes of your life. For those who want a physical challenge, I recommend Rimmi, Tom or Moses. Students who want to take it a little more easy you should try out Lucy, Colleen or Debbie M.

Don't by shy, what do you have to lose? It is free for this week!