As far as gift giving is concerned, I’m all about either something that the person wants or likes or will definitely make use of. I believe that both my nomadic lifestyle and the aparigraha principle of yoga philosophy are to blame for that.
Christmas is around the corner, as well as last-minute Christmas gift shopping and the stress that comes with it.
If you have a close yogi friend, partner, or family member and are at a loss of what to get them, here’s a yogi’s take on what would make great and practical Christmas gift ideas for a yogi. (Some of these items are for the ladies only, but you’ll find ideas for guys, as well.)
It may seem like the most unoriginal gift out there, but trust a fellow yogi! There are never too many yoga pants! Especially if they are comfortable and of good quality.
They won’t only serve for asana practice but will also be worn around the house as well as out and about.
These are a few ideas for yoga pants that would make great Christmas gifts:
Yoga towels can be used over regular mats. They are grippy, prevent sliding, absorb sweat, and are very easy to take care of.
Since yoga towels come in a wide variety of colors and designs, they can suit the preferences of pretty much any yogi out there.
Here’s my favorite type of full-size mat towels:
Unless, of course, you live in the southern hemisphere or close to the equator, Christmas means cold. And snow.
When coming to class, yogis need to leave their shoes outside the yoga room. While they come in, spread their mats, settle down, properly warm up, and then later cool down and relax during Savasana, socks can prevent their feet from freezing.
There are different types of yogi socks, such as grippy full-feet socks, as well as heel and toeless ones.
Below are a few ideas for yogi socks that would make a great Christmas gift:
If your yogi needs to transport their mat to the studio, being exposed to the elements can make it deteriorate faster. However, a good mat bag can prevent or slow it down.
These are a few examples that I like:
A good mat is like the magic carpet of yoga practice. Yet, it can also become a nesting ground for microbes, bacteria, and infections if not cared for and cleaned properly.
Mat sprays are easy to use and smell well. Meanwhile, mat wipes can be great for when one is in a hurry and needs to give their mat a quick wipe.
Here are a few mat sprays:
…and mat wipes:
- JoSha Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes
Hydration is important, especially if you have a Vinyasa Flow class later in the day. Did I mention that Christmas means cold and snow? One of the least pleasant things in winter is drinking ice-cold water from a plastic bottle in ice-cold weather.
Having a good water bottle can allow your yogi to transport their favorite-temperature water as well as tea or coffee (or cold water in the summer).
Here are a few ideas:
If you know that your yogi has or would like to start a home yoga practice, they may run into the difficulty of sequencing.
A set of yoga cards can be a useful guide to laying out (literally) a well-rounded practice. These cards also come with sequencing instructions and alignment cues to follow.
Below are a few sets that you can check out:
Yoga is the practice of self-discovery as well as a wonderful tool for reflecting and learning about oneself. So is journaling.
Journals can be simply blank notebooks that the owner can fill in and decorate to their liking. They can also come with prompts, inspirational quotes, affirmations, goal-setting prompts, and more for those who do better with some guidance.
Choose what best suits your yogi’s personality. You can also pair it with a nice pen or a set of sharpies for an artistic yogi.
Here are some ideas for guided journals:
… and some for blank journals:
- Turquoise Marble Bullet Journal
- Grey Marble Journal
- Almond Blossom Journal
An eye pillow completely blocks out light and provides gentle pressure on the eyes, while lavender is a natural anti-depressant, which makes both a great combo to de-stress, relax, and fall asleep.
Therefore, it can serve for Savasana, or wherever your yogi needs some downtime.
Check out the ones below:
Same as with yoga pants, there can never be enough books. Many yogis are the reading type and like spending their time learning, developing themselves, and deepening their understanding of the yoga philosophy.
These are a few great reads for yogis:
- Meditations from the Mat
- The Secret Power of Yoga
- Eastern Body, Western Mind
Alternatively, you can also get a gift card from a local bookstore. It’s unlikely to go unused.
What gift are you considering getting your yogi? Do you have any other Christmas gift ideas in mind?
Pin now, use these ideas when you go Christmas gift shopping for your yogi!