Weekend Edition #6 Spring Cleaning

Spring is a lovely time to shift gears, shed tired habits, and start fresh from the inside out...

The quote above is from "Yoga and Vegetarianism" by Sharon Gannon.  It is a quick and inspirational read that navigates food choices using basic yoga philosophy.  I definitely recommend it.

While most Albuquerque growers' markets won't start until late April/May, the Corrales Growers' Market is open once per month in the off season with the next chance to get some super fresh food coming up on April 7th.  In the meantime, here is a list of what's in season.


For life and space organizing check out "Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern.  Much more than a quick tips guide, the book gets you to do some reflecting on what is important to you in life and moves from there.  Super helpful.

So how do you clean a yoga mat?  It all depends on the mat you have...

And while we are on the subject of mats and feet...  Foot warts happen.  Take care of them now.  Athlete's foot too.  And if you find yourself slipping on your mat a bit more than usual try this tip from Yoga Journal:

To avoid slipping around on your mat, brew two black tea bags in one pint of boiled water for 15 minutes. Add two quarts of cool water and soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the brewed tea will change your skin's pH level and help prevent unwanted odor-causing bacteria.

Lastly, an article by Sally Kempton on the art of mindful speaking.

"You can change the world, or at least your experience of it, by becoming conscious of the words coming out of your mouth."

Spring forward!

How to clean your yoga mat by Elise Espat

Revisiting an essential topic.

Daily

• Clean your feet before practice. 
  Much easier than cleaning a mat.


• Use a rug over your mat. 
  Much easier than cleaning a mat, just pop the rug in a washing machine or hand wash.


• Wipe your mat as dry as possible post-practice. 
  Makes drying time faster.  Much easier to prevent bacteria than to eliminate it.


• Hang your mat to dry completely everyday post-practice.
  Much easier to prevent bacteria than to eliminate it.

Weekly/As needed

• Wash your rug. 
  If you do not use one, wash your mat.

Once per month/As needed

• Deep clean your mat.
  Check out the Eco Yogini for green tips on how to wash your mat and a recipe for an anti-bacterial spray that you can make at home. To expedite the drying process (from Wai Lana):

To dry your yoga mat, lay it on top of a dry towel and tightly roll mat and towel together like a cinnamon roll. Squeeze out excess water by pressing with your hands or feet. Unroll and hang to air dry.

The ingredients in these DIY sprays tend to be similar (vinegar, water, witch hazel, tea tree, etc.)

Note:  If you have a Manduka mat (from Manduka):

We recommend using Manduka Mat Renew or any non-solvent household cleaner and a damp cloth or sponge. Hang to dry in the sunshine. DO NOT clean your mat with the garden hose, put in the bathtub or shower, or put it in the washing machine- it may break the machine and ruin your mat!