getting a better Om {review and early giveaway entries}

I've talked before about how yoga is my retreat. Its my rejuvenation time and it makes my body feel strong and capable. What I haven't talked about are the "tools of the trade," because before now my yoga gear was NOTHING to talk about. Years ago, when I first started talking about wanting to try yoga, Trav sweetly bought me a $30 yoga set which came with a block, a strap, a DVD, and a cheap mat. It was probably a good thing he didn't invest more at the time since learning yoga from a DVD is clearly not my speed! I tried it once or twice, then got so frustrated that I rolled up my mat and put it away for years.

Fast forward to a year ago, and my first real yoga class. I was hooked. What I wasn't hooked on? My cheap mat. But a new, better mat wasn't in the budget at the moment. I had a mat that worked well enough, so that was that.

A girl can research though...  ;-)  I looked around at tons of different companies and I just keep coming back to Jade Yoga. Developers of the first green yoga mat, this company (located right in my back yard!) uses only all natural rubber, with no PVCs, make all their products in the USA, and plants a tree for every yoga mat sold! They also have a whole page full of amazing charities and organizations that they support, from around the world. They truly are a green company that gives back.

I was in love.

Happy Meegs!

Fast forward to a month ago and I was over the moon to be given the opportunity to review one of these amazing mats (the Harmony professional mat)! To say I was excited would be an understatement.

Now I already loved the company itself, with its amazing practices. But how do they work. When it comes down to it, the company can be as amazing as possible, if the mat isn't good, then its a fail. Everything I'd read though told me that these were some of the best mats around. I'm so happy to say that they lived up to my expectations, and then some!

Jade mats have amazing grip, something my cheap mat was lacking in. Good grip gives you a stable base for your poses and helps to to feel steadier. They also have enough cush to be comfortable, the rubber being nice and thick. And unlike other mats, there is no chemicals to breath in, just all natural rubber.

I will note that the first few times I used it, the mat had a little slip to it (which I was warned about), but it was still better then my old mat. Plus, the more I used it the more grippy it got. 

I think its pretty safe to say that I am in love with my new Jade mat. I really wish I had made the transition sooner. A good mat can mean the difference between a unstable pose and a strong one! I highly recommend Jade Yoga mat's to any yogi, regardless of level. I will definitely be using my Jade mat for years to come, and when it does wear out, I can take advantage of their recycling program before buying a new one!


Visit Jade Yoga at their website, and on Facebook, and see all they have to offer! 

Check back here in 2 weeks for a chance to win a special treat of your own.

Leave a comment on this post to earn extra giveaway entries.




* Note: I was provided with a Jade yoga mat free of charge to review. However I was not compensated in any other way, and the views here are my own, and are completely honest. 

To deviate from the standard message for a moment, giveaways and reviews aren't my big thing. This blog is mostly about my life and my family, though I have been lucky enough to work with some really great companies. Because of that, I've made it a priority to only work with companies who's business ethic I appreciate, who give back, and companies who I would classify as environmentally friendly. If I don't like the company, I'm not going to accept the product. If I don't like the product, I would never say otherwise.