Yogasana Ambassador Brittany Trubridge on Fire Yoga Mat. Photo by Diana Padgett
These unique gifts embody the essence of yoga and meditation -- a state of mind/body/spirit. Far beyond fashion or trend, the yogic lifestyle is a deeper way of living, with consciousness and compassion. The materials and processes used to make these items are animal-friendly, earth-friendly, ethically sourced, re-envisioned and promote personal wellness and growth.
DHARMA BOUTIQUE Vintage Terra Cotta Devotional Statues, $130 - $180; dharmaboutique.com
Kirtan musician and composer Adam Bauer finds one-of-a-kind museum-quality vintage and antique treasures during his journeys abroad. "It is rare to even find two that are even remotely alike," he says. From left to right: Krishna (love and devotion), Saraswati (sacred learning), Lakshmi (wealth and abundance, both material and spiritual.)
This montage of spiritual symbols with garnet and chalcedony drops was handmade by Silva Kegulian, who calls her line "look good, feel good jewelry." Kegulian is part of a wife-husband team that follows The Green Business Bureau's eco-friendly jewelry production methods (gbb.org) and uses 100 percent recycled, nickel- and lead-free metals.
HAMSA Pure Pashmina Persian Rose Ombre Meditation Shawl, $340; hamsashawls.com
Absolutely gorgeous and earth- and animal-friendly, these heirloom-quality Pashmina meditation shawls are made by Kashmiri master artisans using fiber sourced from Capra Hircus, or Changthangi, goats herded by nomadic tribes in the Changthang region of Ladakh and the Tibetan Plateau. These simple wraps bring intimacy and warmth to meditators and are practical for travel.
These strong, earth-friendly mats made from high-grade, locally sourced cotton will never end up in a landfill. They're guaranteed for 15 years but will last a lifetime, even with steady use from globe-trotting yogis. Hand-woven in the ancient region of northern India where yoga was born, the mats are signed by the artisans who make them. Available in seven colors: earth, water, fire, air, ether, spring and saffron. Made from high-grade, locally sourced cotton thread colored beautifully with non-toxic dyes, they're hand-woven without the use of electricity by masters of the craft who hand sign each mat.
NICKI DOANE Maya Yoga Fusion Trio with Nicki Doane, $15.99 each; beyondword.com
Master yogini Nicki Doane created this must-have Maya Yoga Fusion Trio, which includes Back Bending Flow, Standing Flow and Core Strength Flow. They make a perfect gift -- and you might want to get yourself a set, too. To learn more about Nicki Doane, visit Maya Yoga.
Full-bodied, well-proportioned, structurally sound antique bowls in such excellent condition are hard to find. The collector is an avid traveler who gathered many of her pieces while journeying around the world in the early 1980s. She especially enjoyed buying items in small villages, where she could talk with local craftspeople as they worked on their pieces. This bowl comes from the Thamel area of Kathmandu.
C.C. WHITE This Is Soul Kirtan!, $15.99 CD, $9.99 digital download; soulkirtan.com
This much-awaited release by the charismatic "queen of soul kirtan" is an exciting blend of genres including soul, kirtan, gospel, R&B, Southern blues and more. Don't miss this one. Listen, enjoy and spread the word!
COSMIC NORDU Vintage Tibetan Turquoise "Om" Ring, $58; etsy.com/shop/CosmicNorbu
This mandala-shaped sterling silver and turquoise ring with a Tibetan "om" symbol was made by Tibetans living in Nepal. This store also has wonderful underpriced vintage Tibetan treasures.
RELICS & ART Vintage Tibetan Monk's Wood Prayer Book, $60; etsy.com/shop/relicsandart
Traditional Tibetan Monk's prayer "books" are unbound hand-decorated pieces of wood alternating with handmade lokta paper inscribed with handwritten prayers, mantras, chants and illustrations of Tibetan deities. This book has 10 loose pages, each with a Tibetan Buddhist god on one side and a Tibetan script on the other. This unique gift is sure to become a conversation piece.
CHRIS KILHAM The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy and Personal Power; $9.95, amazon.com
Deepak Chopra calls this best-seller "a time-honored classic that belongs in every yoga library." Originating in the Himalayas, the five yogic exercises known as the Five Tibetans take a minimum of time and effort but dramatically increase physical strength, energy, suppleness and mental acuity. Regular practice relieves muscle tension and nervous stress, improves digestion, strengthens the cardiovascular system, tunes and energizes the chakras, and leads to deep relaxation and well-being.
TOMBOY ART Upcycled License Plate Art Sign, $145; etsy.com/shop/tomboyART
These upcycled license plate art signs mounted on weathered wood depict the word Namaste and a lotus flower. When spoken to another person, the word "Namaste" is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. This gesture, called Añjali Mudrā, carries the same meaning when performed wordlessly.
A mala is a meditation tool that helps you focus on your practice as you chant a mantra for each bead. This matching set of three wrist malas, handcrafted with responsibly sourced, Fair Trade and cruelty-free materials, balances earthy brown African trade beads with colorful, high-quality faceted gemstone beads. Amethyst is meditative and calming, carnelian promotes healthy choices and amazonite attracts positive energy.
ARTITUDE "Om Mani Padme Hum" Tibetan Script Wall Decal, $29; etsy.com/shop/ArtitudeUandArt
Perfect for the studio, meditation room or office, these graphic self-adhesive art decals are designed to "reach out and empower the artist living inside you." They depict the most widely used Tibetan Buddhist mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, which invokes the blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Made of ultra-thin vinyl with no white or transparent border, they create a hand-painted look on any surface and are removable and reusable.
Each Shangri-La color in this sweet trio of hand-poured, solid beeswax candles has a different scent. Coral smells of Dolma Cedarwood, turquoise of Canyon Mist and saffron of White Tea Bergamot.
Image credit: Wayfair.com
Tibetan Bowl Meditation: A Vibratory Journey into Deep Meditative States, River Guerguerian, $9.59; soundstrue.com
This powerful yet tranquil, current yet timeless work of healing trance art is master musician, multi-percussionist and composer River Guerguerian's soundspace journal of journeying for five years with nothing but a backpack, a frame drum, a gong, a flute and nine Tibetan singing bowls. Guerguerian studied in the Himalayas with traditional healers, developing "methods for inducing states of healing and meditation" with the "vibrational essence" of the singing bowls.
In Buddhism, this serene and contemplative face with closed eyes means, "looking within." This hand-crafted decorative soap is made with all-natural ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Vegetable Glycerin and Purified Water and scented with a soothing blend of White Tea, Ginger, Bergamot, Green Daylilies, Nutmeg, Hyacinth, Freesia and Peony. No chemicals like detergents, surfactants, sulfates, alcohol or sugar solutions have been added. Custom colors and finishes available.