The Best Yoga Gifts

The International Yoga Federation estimates that there are roughly 300 million people globally who practice yoga on a regular basis. You don’t even need to go to an exercise studio for proof of its popularity: Yoga moms and dads post their poses on Instagram regularly and there are multimillion dollar fashion brands that exist only to make practitioners look good while they’re doing their down-dog. For many, yoga isn’t just an exercise regimen. It’s a lifestyle.

That means you’ve got a ton of options if you’re buying for the yoga fanatic in your life. For an ancient Indian practice that emphasizes internal awareness, yoga in its modern form sure seems to require a lot of external gear. From athleisure wear to exercise mats, there’s always a way to enhance that workout, or just make it more comfortable.

If you’re buying clothing, it’s best to buy it for close friends or spouses. You’ll have to know their size, after all, and yoga practitioners can be picky about the fit of their workout wear. Start by finding out what brand they like, and remember that it’s not enough for those pants or top to look good. They also must be able to handle the sweat. The default material for yoga wear is a polyester blend that will shed moisture and dry quickly.

Exercise mats are always a good bet. No matter how much they favor their current mat, people are going to need another one sooner or later. Again, see which brand they already own and go with something comparable. Trading an old mat for a newer one is always a nice surprise, but not if the replacement is prone to slipping or fraying.

Some other evergreen items include weights, blocks and other accessories. If your gift recipient doesn’t use yoga straps, they can open up a whole new way to exercise. As a bonus, you can also use them to carry a yoga mat. Another item that’s always in demand is a good towel (or set of them). The best yoga towels are made of microfiber cloth that can wipe up sweat easily and dry quickly — a must for hot yoga sessions. Not only are all these items typically cheaper than mats or clothes, you won’t have to worry about sizes (although you may want to match up the color scheme to their usual outfit).

But what do you get the hardcore yogi that has their workout room fully stocked? Remember that yoga is as much a lifestyle as anything else. There’s always a new way to enhance a workout session with incense burners, meditation seats or “singing” bowls that can be struck to sound calming tones. And it’s not all about the physical gear: That subscription to a new workout app might be just the thing a friend needs to change up their routine.

• Yoga mats and towels take a lot of punishment during a workout, so it’s in your best interest to keep them clean. Working up a sweat is the whole point, but it’s not much fun if you’re smelling it before you even start stretching.
• If you’re using a rubber or thermoplastic mat, you obviously won’t be able to run it through the wash. Wipe it off instead with an antibacterial spray or a mix of water and white vinegar, being sure to dry it completely.
• Microfiber towels can be cleaned in a regular washer, but you’ll want to wash them separately to make sure they don’t accumulate lint or stray threads. If you want to make sure they last awhile, hand wash them periodically under warm water.