Have you ever taken a Yoga class and felt so happy that you achieved a new pose? Or felt amazing that you were stronger or more flexible? But what happens when the thing you did last week doesn't happen today? Struggling to achieve the amazing Yoga pose we did last week or maintain a certain "level" of practice could leave us feeling frustrated, unsatisfied and defeated :(

Its easy to feel wonderful when things are going well. The problem can be when we get too attached to that. Maybe we go back to a class to get that same good feeling and then its not the same. We might not feel great, wobble all over the place, feel irritated by others around us or ourselves and our body.
We can so easily come out of being present and go to a place of judging ourselves.  After all we come from a culture of being judged very often, grades at school, college, university, assessed in our workplace and finances and probably worst of all by ourselves. But fret not friends....the answer lies in 'Santosha'

Santosha is one of the Niyamas (a kind of ethical code towards yourself in Yoga). It means Contentment.  Santosha helps us to be at peace with what is here now. Being present in our Yoga practice means accepting the way our body is today rather than wishing it was how it was 2 weeks ago, 5 years ago or 6 months into the future. Mentally cursing out your tight hamstrings is not the way to path to happiness. Practicing contentment means dropping the judgements, pressure and negative mind chatter and replacing it with love, self acceptance and honour for our bodies.

Remember if you are city dwellers like us life is always go, go, go. Practicing contentment on the Yoga mat can give us that unconditonal safe space to check in and come home to ourselves. Remember, contentment in Yoga isn't something that needs to be achieved it is something we can allow. Santosha-Contentment can keep our Yoga journey full of happiness, peace and joy! Om Shanti!

Saucha meaning cleanliness or purity is a Niyama in Yoga. The Niyamas could be described as guidelines, duties or ethical codes towards yourself that help you along the Yogic Path.  In our day to day life off the Yoga Mat we can relate Saucha to our outsides (e.g taking a shower) our insides (what we eat, drink) as well as the way we think, speak and do things. 

If you practice, sweat, breathe, mediate and search for inner peace on your mat....its nice to have it clean.  But you may be wondering how do I clean my Yoga mat? 

Here are a few ways....

• Put in the washing machine. Yes you can do just that. Pop in the washing machine don't use too much detergent, in fact very little (we did this and it ended up a little slimy) Also do not tumble dry. (We have done this too and yes, it did shrink). Also keep in mind that it might take quite a while to dry. Also some people advise against the washing machine method as it may damage the mat so bear that in mind too.
• Use a ready made Yoga mat spray. There are plenty out there on the market to choose from in lovely packing and gorgeous scents. Spray and wipe. 
• Make your own mat cleaner. Our favorite, cheapest and most eco friendly method. Get a spray bottle and simply add water, white vinegar and a few drops of essential oils. Lavender, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus are great as they also have antibacterial properties. Viola! 

How do you clean your mat? Have any amazing homemade recipes for a lush smelling mat spray? Would love to know. Let us know in the comments below. Until next time. Happy cleaning. ​