Gene Therapy Revolution

Imagine fighting diseases without using toxic medication or risky surgeries. Imagine being able to boost your immune system, or prevent aging, grow stronger muscles, regenerate tissues, and many other wonderful things. All of this might be incubating in the exciting field of biotechnology, where gene therapy is a promising tool for making all sorts of improvements to conventional medical approaches.u

Our body is made out of millions of cells, and cells are made out of millions of biomolecules like proteins, fatty acids, and nucleic acids. The nucleic acids are responsible for the genetic makeup of a particular cell and organism. Nucleic acids contain all the information to build and maintain the cell and DNA is the most famous nucleic acid. In DNA, genes are contained in a somewhat linear sequence. Humans have about 150,000 genes that together comprise all the necessary information for making and maintaining a human being from the embryo stage (of just one cell) to a full-grown healthy adult.

In some cases, a gene may be defective or missing from the DNA sequence of a particular person, causing a deficiency and very often some kind of disease. For example, people who lack the gene to produce melanin (skin pigment) have very pale skin color and are known as albinos. People with hereditary blindness also have one or numerous defective genes related to sight. Sickle cell anemia is another very well-known genetic disorder. The list of genetic disorders is a long one, and in many cases, there is no available cure for the disease.

Gene therapy is defined as the therapeutic delivery of a foreign gene (nucleic acids) to treat a patient’s condition. It is expected that in the near-future medical doctors may treat a wide variety of diseases by inserting genes rather than delivering drugs or practicing surgery.

During the 1980s in a series of studies lead by human genetics scientists of the American national institute of health (NIH) made possible the first successful application of gene therapy in humans. The patient was a 4-year-old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene deficiency, a condition that made her immune system compromised and unable to fight infections. Doctors corrected the deficiency by placing a DNA containing a normal ADA gene in the white blood cells of the patient. The results were promising, and the child grew to be a normal, healthy human being. Since then many cases of ADA deficiency have been treated in a similar way.

Active research is being done in other genetic conditions and diseases, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cancer, HIV infection, hereditary blindness, and many others.

But gene therapy can also be used to improve a particular function in a healthy human being. For example, increasing muscular mass by introducing a potentiated growth hormone gene. Or reducing/stopping the aging process by delivering genes that regenerate tissues and reverse the natural aging mechanism of the body. All of this may sound like science fiction, but the technology already exists, and most probably in an eyeblink, we will see it permeating into our everyday life.

Breathing to Improve Brain Power

This is a trite saying: You should try breathing deeply to de-stress yourself. Well, it is not a myth but a reality. The fast-paced lives that we lead today are surrounded by major stress givers, and we need to seal our brains against it so that we can survive and function appropriately.

( Get outside in your comfy yoga leggings and take a deep breath. ) 

Breathing is a process that is managed involuntarily, but yoga helps us to learn to control and manage it. This might be a surprise for us to know that we can develop our brain muscles through breathing and improve our cognitive functions.

We normally breathe from the top of our lungs; through meditation and yoga we can learn to breathe through the depth of our lungs, allowing our lungs to expand ensuring healthier and stronger lungs. 

The brain power is not only about how we can memorize things, in fact, but it is also much more. Powerful minds can fathom the knowledge shared with them and make useful extractions. Similarly, a powerful brain is never sidelined by apparently stressful situations; instead, it can understand the issues beyond what is seen and make wise decisions.

MRI reports have shown that there is a huge difference between the activities of the brain during exhaling and inhaling. When we inhale, the mind is activated, and the neurons in the brain are positively charged. When we exhale, the neurons decrease in size. Deep breaths welcome a fresh and abundant supply of oxygen into our bloodstream which then enters our brains and boost the areas that are responsible for memory and spatial skills.

Breathing allows our brains to have a gust of fresh oxygen which helps the brain declutter. When we are tense, our bodies contract themselves, we breathe shallow breaths, and this results in constricted oxygen supply to our brain. The brain becomes fuzzy and lacks the ability to think clearly. It is at this point and time that if we start breathing deep breaths, we will supply more oxygen to our brains and settle our emotions getting rid of anger and fear that might have interrupted the thought process.

The right nostril breathing activates the left area of the brain that powers up the energy levels and increases the brain’s capabilities. The left nostril breathing activates the right side of the brain, which is responsible for the feeling part. When we alternate our breathing through the nostrils, we can merge the “feeling” and the “thinking” part of the brain. This helps us behave in the most suitable way and ideal way.

Perfecting the breathing technique to help improve the brain function is not a difficult task and is highly achievable. As the breathing practice helps in calming the mind, and balancing the emotional state of the body, the body is steeled enough to have better cognitive functions.

A decluttered brain is a gateway to improved memory, spatial dexterity, and better memory functions and to achieve it you only need to concentrate on your breathing.

Natarajasana

The asanas are various body postures that are performed in the practice of yoga, which vary according to body areas, energy centers and the strength of each person. The main functions of asanas are to provide the ability to master the mind through physical conditioning and proper breathing by developing stillness in thoughts, alignment of the body, health and well-being.

Natarajasana or dancer’s pose, also known as the Shiva pose, is one of the most popular balance asanas in history and even today because of its mystical symbolism. According to the Hindu legend, the God Shiva is the first of the gods to teach the millenary practice of yoga through dance since the movements incite to ecstasy and to experience the connection of the spirit with the universe.

Shiva Nataraja, meaning “Lord of Dance,” moves in perfect stability transcending time and space with subtle movements. Slow and harmonious in his majestic dance, he leans one of his legs on the ground while taking the complementary leg of his body and raised it high up balancing the vibrations of his soul and posing gracefully in the position of the dancer—or Natarajasana—contemplating the creation and destruction of the universe. In this way, he teaches to dance to his wife, Parvati, Spontaneously, one of the fish of the Ganges River observes them and following in the distance the instructions of God Shiva begin with his practice of movements. Shiva discovers the talent of this animal and transforms it into a man by calling him Matsyendra, the first disciple of the god Shiva, who over time becomes the pioneer of yoga.

Once you start to integrate the practice of yoga in a day to day, the mind and the body are adopting postures in a natural way according to their symbology, complexity and even the energetic scepter of each individual. Yoga is the continuity of synchronized movements with breathing providing well-being in body and mind.

Preparation for Dancing Shiva

Stand in comfortable clothing preferably yoga leggings or yoga pants. Start in mountain pose (Tadasana), focus your gaze at a fixed point, bend the right knee and bring the heel close to the gluteus, and hold the instep of the right foot with the right hand. While the left arm extends high, breathe slowly feeling the weight of the body on the base leg. Little by little with the help of controlled inhalation, gradually raise the leg without losing balance. Maintain the posture for 5 to 8 breaths. Perform the posture of the complementary side of the body.

Level 1: Maintain basic stance.

Level 2: Make a deep rotation of the shoulders to hold with both hands the heel of the foot that is on top.

Benefits

  • Promote concentration
  • Toning thighs, gluteus and calves
  • Stimulate the alignment of the posture
  • Make your shoulders and arms more flexible.

Recommendations

  • Keep the base leg extended
  • Focus the gaze at a fixed point
  • Synchronize breathing with movements.

Handstand Pose

Patience, focus, and balance are some things that yoga teaches. Handstand pose is one of the toughest yoga Asanas because a person has to balance the weight of the body upside down with the help of the palms fixed on the floor. The fear of falling is a major challenge, and the pose helps in overcoming it.

It is a very challenging pose where the entire weight of your body is shifted to your hands. It is known as Adho Mukha Vrksasana in Sanskrit. It is an advanced level of Hatha Yoga.

How To Perform The Pose

  • Start with the downward dog position and initially use a wall as the support to rising upside down. If you are practicing with the help of wall support, keep your hands about six inches away from the wall.
  • Keep your shoulders over your wrists and start walking towards your hands as much as you can. Bend knee of one leg that is comfortable for you and lift the foot of the other leg in the air off the floor. 
  • As you place the leg that lifts on the wall for support, wait for a while, and breathe. Gently lift up the other leg. As both the legs are up on the wall, engage your abdominal muscles that will help you lift your hips over your shoulder.
  • Stay in the pose for 15- 30 seconds, breathe deeply, and gradually increase the time with more practice. As you come down, bring the legs down one by one and do not sink on to the shoulders. Regular practice is important so that you master the asana gradually.


Benefits

  • It helps in strengthening the shoulders, arms, wrist, and helps in toning the abdomen area.
  • It helps in improving body balance and stability.
  • It helps in building confidence, improves concentration, and focus. 
  • It helps in breaking knots and tension by improving the blood circulation throughout the body.
  • It is known to relieve stress, prevent mild depression, and rejuvenate the mind.

Mistakes And Contradictions

There are some situations when it is advisable not to perform the pose. It is recommended to avoid the pose in case of back, shoulder, or neck injury. Always perform the asana on an empty stomach. It is not good for people suffering from a heart condition, high blood pressure, or during menstruation. Do not start learning the pose after pregnancy if you have not done it before.

How To Perform Perfectly

It is an advanced level and extremely challenging pose which takes time to master. As a beginner, you will need wall support to perform the pose. It might also be hard to straighten the elbows during the initial practice of the pose. However, you can use a strap to straighten the elbow. Keep your shoulders width apart so that you are able to stretch out your arms. Always perform it wearing comfortable clothes, like yoga shorts, and use a wall as a support to lift yourself up.

Yogic Tips For The Monthly Cycle Of A Woman

It is common for some women to feel uncomfortable during the monthly cycle. In fact, a lot of women experience headaches, irritability, cramps, and even irregular nausea. During this period of the month, it can be appealing to crawl under a blanket, reach for pain killers, and turn down moving until after the cycle. But, the good news I have for you is that yoga provides a few ways to remain sound and feel relaxed when you are on your menstruation cycle. 

Never look at your monthly period as a form of ailment or disability. However, view it as a time to cool down the tempo a little, get some additional rest, and contact your inner world.

Here are some of the yogic tips and tricks that will make you stay safe all through your monthly cycle.


  • Meditation 

Meditation will provide relief from the mood swings resulting from the complications you normally experience during your monthly cycle. Take some minutes a day to meditate about what is actually happening in your emotions and body as a whole. Quite a lot of meditative techniques are available for you to choose from. For example, you can decide to concentrate on the breath and return it by the time your mind strolls to help reign in negative thinking. 

You can balance your emotions by reciting a soothing mantra. On the other hand, you could attempt visualizations, probably looking at your internal organs covered in healing light to lessen the physical pain. Letting your menstrual cycle be a period of introspection is an avenue to create peace with your menstruation on the days when it is predominantly severe or uncomfortable.




  • Concentrate More On Relaxation And Rest

Nothing can be compared with soaking in a warm bathtub to alleviate cramps. Warm water will help you calm down your muscles and relieve the tension in your body. In addition, you can include essential oils or a little aromatherapy bath salts to increase the relaxation response. Furthermore, ensure you have enough rest in your menstrual cycle. Retire to bed early to make sure you have enough sleep at night. It will improve your mood and make you more active during the day. You can attempt some reflexology or even tell your spouse to rub your back. Just make sure you take adequate care of yourself during your period in order for you to feel at your best!


  • Take Proper Diet

Occasionally, craving can hit at some stage in menstruation. At this time, resisting for salty snacks can be difficult, but taking proper diet during your menstruation will help you feel great. Excessive salt can make a number of people keep hold of the water, improving the bloated feeling that menstrual cycles sometimes bring. 

Likewise, too much sugar will over arouse your endocrine system while beverages and caffeine in chocolate can tax the nervous system. The best thing you can do is to plan in advance if you have a normal menstrual cycle. 

Conclusion

If you always panic when you are expecting your menstrual cycle, the end has come to it if you can discipline yourself a while and leave a healthy lifestyle. Focus more on rest and relaxation, take proper diet and meditate.

Aerial Yoga

Only For Experienced Yogis?


Yoga now exists in a variety of niches. On one end of the spectrum, you will find classes like chicken nugget yoga. On the other end are more challenging practices like aerial yoga or acro-yoga. Most people prefer a class style that exists somewhere in the middle, such as hatha yoga or vinyasa flow – the kind that requires workout leggings and yoga blocks. These practices at both ends either seem downright absurd or that they are only for the Olympic yogis.

Aerial yoga may appear challenging, but during a class, you might be pleasantly surprised. The class takes place off the ground – where wide nylon hammocks support your body. Throughout the class you will work your way through gentle stretches supported by the hammock, eventually hanging completely upside down. It sounds exceptionally acrobatic, but in reality – it is accessible for anyone. 

In many ways, aerial yoga is actually easier than a vinyasa or Hatha class. The support of the hammock means poses which are difficult on the ground, are simplified in the air. You can lift higher and extend further in perfect form, while still getting the same full body workout you would get in a dynamic yoga class. 

If you have tension or pain in your joints, aerial yoga will be your new best friend. The hammock offers excellent support, removing stress from the joints and creating a deeper stretch for the muscles surrounding them. Using the hammock to support yourself will also help you build strength and in turn, building a stronger floor-based yoga practice.

Aerial yoga provides excellent relief from back pain. Many of us suffer from back pain, especially in the lower back and around the hips. Hanging in the hammock – particularly upside down – frees up the spine, allowing it the lengthen. When you are upside down, the force of gravity takes over. The weight of the head creates space between each vertebra and removes the pressure from the lower back. 

As well as the physical benefits of aerial yoga, it also provides a calming effect on the mind. Through the combination of breath and movement, yoga alleviates stress and anxieties. When you practice in a hammock, you also have the addition of extra space. Humans are creatures of habit and the habits we accumulate play a significant role in how we live our lives. Aerial yoga gives us a way to shake up these habits so that we can evolve on and off our mats (or nylon hammocks).

Giving aerial yoga a try is a great way to tackle the fear of the unknown. When escaping our comfort zones, many mental challenges will arise. On the other side of these challenges lies a room for discovery and growth. If you’re feeling stuck in your yoga practice – or any part of your life – try turning your world upside down in a hammock, and see how you feel afterward. At the very least you’ll have a lot of fun. Who wouldn’t love to feel like a trapeze artist or an acrobat for 60 minutes? Well, this is the closest most of us are going to get. Aerial yoga helps us get out of our comfort zones by bringing effortless acrobatics to those of us whose two feet are usually stuck firmly on the ground.

2 Key Ways to Wear Meditation Bracelets

Meditation bracelets made up of mala beads are a simple way to help yogis focus on their mantra and intention. It can be easy to lose track of your mantra or to become distracted by thoughts that infiltrate your mind over a period of time. These simple and beautiful aids can improve the overall process of meditation, and they are especially helpful for beginners.

If you’ve considered the practice of meditation and think that these tools could be useful, you should know how to wear them properly. There are a couple of important ways that you can wear these meditation bracelets to enhance the overall quality of your practice. We know that meditation has the potential to be an intimidating practice, so we hope you would welcome these tips to help make it a little easier.

Pick a Gemstone That Matches Your Intention

Gemstones or natural crystals are often thought to be a great way to enhance a basic meditation practice. Many yogis believe that the crystal puts off natural vibrations that help it to attract a certain type of energy in return. They may be known for bringing in more romance, helping you to have less anxiety, or making you feel more motivated. Each crystal is said to have its own frequency, which can change the way it makes you feel.

Yogis can purchase mala beads made out mostly of these natural crystals. As you hold them in your hand and move through the meditation, it can help to enhance your mood and state of mind. Select a crystal that naturally pairs well with your mantra or intention. For example, you may want to select a rose quartz stone if you are attempting to be more loving toward the others. Gemstones can be great for healing physical ailments as well as emotional ones.

Look for Longer Mala Beads

Many yogis start their meditation practice with a very short set of mala beads. This could be a wise decision, particularly if you struggle with sitting quietly and calmly for long periods of time. It isn’t uncommon to encounter this issue when you first start a meditation practice. However, if you’ve been practicing for a while, you may want to consider wearing meditation bracelets that are longer in length.

The more beads you have on your meditation bracelet, the longer you will be able to focus on your specific meditation and mantra. Some manufacturers will make mala bead bracelets that wrap around your wrist several times. You may also choose to purchase a set of bracelets so that you can move from one bracelet to the next with your mantra.

Wearing mala beads to help further your meditation practice has been an age-old tradition for seasoned yogis. However, mala beads are also coming back into fashion around this time. You may want to really consider how meditation bracelets could benefit your overall practice. Keep some of these unique tips in mind when you go shopping for the perfect addition to your next meditation practice.

Make Short Workouts Your Daily Routine

Once we step into business, we tend to lead very busy lifestyles. But I’ve also been an athlete ever since I was a kid (and this still defines me more than being a businesswoman). I think there are no excuses for skipping a workout. A workout can be anything that gets your blood pumping a little faster than usual, or muscles do a little more heavy duty work than usual. All for at least 10 minutes at a time. Which is not much, right?

So, set yourself rules around it:

Make time for it
I like to schedule my workouts for the week in advance. I write them down in my calendar and set the exact time of the workout and the type of the workout that I’m going to do.

Have a couple of moves always ready – let’s say favorite legs, booty, and arms exercises and if nothing else, do a couple of repetitions of those.

Have some simple equipment always nearby. For example, sliders are an easy addition and they take up very little space; you could even use a small towel or plain paper instead of them. Another piece of equipment that is easy to store but can add some resistance to your workout routine is a booty band. And use whatever you have at hand like water bottles, books instead of weights or even your child. Just make sure you don’t hurt yourself or the child if you choose to lift him instead of the weights.

Warm up before and cool down with some stretching afterward.

And you have a simple routine that will energize both your body and the mind.


Here are my top three warm-up, leg, booty, thighs, arm, ab and cool down exercises.

WARM UP

Walking or jogging in place for a minute

Jump rope (it can be also done without the actual rope). Do a series of simple jumps forward – on one leg and then the other. Jump on left leg only, then on both, then right leg only, then again on both and so on. You can skip. You can cross your arms so you have a loop made with the rope while you jump through. You can jump twice per loop or jump only once every second loop. And most of those exercises you could also repeat backwards. All those exercises are also good for coordination.

Windmill. When you stand with your feet a little wider than hip distance apart, bring your arms out to the side and keep your shoulders down and relaxed. Bring your hand to the opposite leg with an exhale and with an inhale bring your arm back to the starting position. Repeat on the other side. This is a twisting motion, which makes your muscles limber and releases toxins out of it.

LEGS

Burpees with a possible push up in between.

Skaters side to side.

Curtsy lunge with some weights either by your side or bringing them up in front.

BOOTY

Ballet squat when you have your feet a little wider then hip distance apart, toes turned out a little and you squat back, press all the weight into your heels, making sure your knees don’t go over your toes.

Start from a tabletop position, extend one arm out in front and the opposite leg back, then bring your elbow to the knee.

From high plank position, pulse one leg up for 10 and repeat on the other.

THIGHS

Lay on your side and bring your leg up and down. For a more difficult option, have your elbow down (make sure you’re pressing into the ground with the whole forearm), bring your hips up and extend the upper leg straight into the air.

Squat with a leg abduction. Do 10 reps and then 10 pulses, when you only abduct the leg into the air from a squat position.

Lay on your back, bring your legs up 90 degrees, then crunch up – arms to the side, open legs and crunch through.

ARMS

Biceps curls with weight into a press.

Triceps extensions behind your head (for a full body exercise, sit down and bring your legs off the ground in a 45-degree angle).

Stand in mountain pose with weights in hand, lean forward with straight back, your neck should be an extension of your spine, bring arms up to the side for a fly. This not only sculpts your shoulders but your back as well, creating a nice V-shape of your muscles that in turn also improve your posture.

ABS

Rock the boat. I like to use a weight with it and extend my feet in a 45-degree angle up in the air.

Lay down with your knees bent, bring your shoulders off the ground, extend your arms towards your ankles and try to alternately touch the heels.

Plank or any variation of it for however long you feel comfortable. The one I like the most is a forearm plank and then I alternately tap one knee down to the ground and then the other.

COOL DOWN

Start from a downward facing dog, bring one leg up to the sky and step it through to your hands, bring the arm on the same side that you have your leg in front, up to the sky and open the chest for a nice twist. Repeat on the other side.

Start again from a downward facing dog, bring one arm up to the sky and then place it next to the opposite wrist and if you can and it feels good to do so, extend your arms forward and bring your chest down for a pigeon pose. Repeat on the other side.

Sit with extended legs. Cross one leg over the other so your foot is placed next to the opposite knee. Bring the opposite elbow to hook it around the knee, look back and relax with every next exhale. Repeat on the other side. Twists are a great way for your body to release toxins, your joins to stay hydrated and limber.

As you’ve probably noticed, most of those exercises are working multiple muscle groups. So, you’re not just toning a particular muscle, but rather your whole body.
And if you still don’t have time to do the full sequence of exercises, do a warm-up and some stretching. Or dance a little. Your body will appreciate any of it. Also, always remember to wear comfortable work out leggings and top when practicing.

Nutrition in Support of a Healthy Life

It is no secret that the food you eat plays a big role in how you feel. It is important that what you eat is going to provide you what your body needs. This is a complicated subject, and something that many hours of study have gone into. Due to its complexity, nutrition is something you may shy away from. However, with just a little bit of knowledge, you can be sure that you are not doing your body a disservice. Here you can find a quick overview of some considerations you can quickly and easily add to your meals.

Energy

As the population of the US continues to deal with the obesity crisis, the amount of energy in the food you eat is coming under scrutiny. The mood in many consumers is that more calories means more fat on their bums. While this is true, it is a great simplification, and should be taken with some common sense.

Your body needs energy to live. In fact, most of the energy you burn is just from existing. Your heart rate, breathing, and other systems all need a certain amount of energy to work. If you are too restrictive in the number of calories you are getting from food, these systems can stop functioning correctly. A healthy lifestyle balances out your body’s energy needs with the amount that you consume and swinging to either end of that spectrum is going to be harmful to your body.

Macro Nutrients

Macro nutrients are the main components of food. They are fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Each of these serve a purpose in your body. Throughout recent history, most of these have had misconceptions placed upon them by media and the general public. It is hard to dispel some of the myths surrounding them because a lot of the studies are inconclusive. The general consensuses currently are that all of the macro nutrients are important, but too much of anything can be bad.

Micro Nutrients

These are the tinier parts of the food you eat. Vitamins and minerals fall under this umbrella. You know that these are important but trying to break down each one can be very difficult. Like their macro nutrient counterparts, the studies that are done can be difficult to reproduce. This leaves a lot of misinformation around, and makes it difficult to give exact recommendations. Generally, eating a wide variety of foods lets you increase your chances of getting everything you need. Fresh fruits and vegetables are going to be good sources of several required vitamins and minerals and eating plenty of them is recommended.

In short, a lot of the knowledge around proper nutrition is quite vague. This can be very frustrating if you are looking to find a prescribed method to stay healthy. The good news is that this leaves a lot of room for personal preference, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle in your choices. As the sciences of food increases, the perfect diet may appear, but until then you will just have to rest assured that humans have been surviving on numerous different food sources for a long time. Therefore, there must be a lot of ways to successfully eat, while meeting your body’s needs.

Creative Ways to Repurpose Your Yoga Clothes

Let go. It’s a mantra that we are constantly grappling with as yogis. This phrase becomes significant in many areas of life, and sometimes it becomes a point of tension with our physical belongings. It seems there is an endless flow of new yoga clothing designs, and it is natural to want to practice in clothes that make us feel strong and beautiful. As your wardrobe grows, however, it can be very healthy, spiritually, mentally and physically, to let go of clothes that you no longer need or wear frequently. Here are a few fun ways you can give new purpose to old yoga clothes.

1. First, decide which clothes are getting the boot.

With heavy practice, it is common for the elasticity of yoga clothes to eventually break down. If you are pausing often during your practice to readjust the area around your calves or to pull up your waistband, it might be a sign that your clothes are not cutting it. Warrior 2 is generally a good gauge for this!

Decide whether these items would be acceptably wearable to someone else or if they are ready to be repurposed. If there are any holes or frayed edges, the clothing may be better off repurposed. If not, think about who may benefit from these clothes. Remember that yoga clothes are generally acceptable workout clothes for most sporting activities.

2. New headband!

If you have decided that your clothes are past the point of no return, then repurpose them. Because of the elasticity that is common in yoga pants, a great beginner project is to convert old pants into new headbands and hairbands. Depending on the width of your pants, you may be able to find a segment of one pant leg that is the same width as your ideal headband.

Cut a 2 to 4-inches tall segment of a pant leg and try it on. It may be a portion right above the knee or higher up. This also works with some cotton t-shirts. Try cutting the sleeve off of an old t-shirt and see if it fits as a headband. Trial and error is the best way to approach this project until you find what works best for you.

3. New hairband!

Similar to the method above, cut a small segment of yoga leggings just around the ankle. It might just fit as the perfect accompaniment to your hairdo.

4. Yoga mat bag!

If you are up for a craftier challenge, try cutting your old yoga clothes into small 4-inch by 4-inch squares. Use a sewing machine to quilt the squares into a rectangular patchwork. Roll the patchwork around your mat and continue adding rows of squares until the patchwork can surround your rolled-up mat. Sew the length of the patchwork together to form a noodle-shaped bag that your mat can slip into. If you have extra material, add straps.

Be creative, and enjoy repurposing your old yoga clothes!