When I roll into class to teach yoga, I look like a pack mule.  I’m not even kidding— I have my yoga mat slung over one shoulder, my portable sound dock hanging over the other shoulder, and my bag is splitting at the seams with all sorts of items that I’ve deemed necessary to carry into the studio:  a notebook with yoga sequences and dharma talk themes, a stopwatch so that I can keep track of the time while I’m teaching, extra hair ties, headbands, chapstick, tissues, a hand towel, and a bottle of mat spray.  And that’s not even half of it!  While there are many things keeping my bag heavy, there are seven items in particular that keep my soul light and happy.  Let me introduce you to my yoga bag essentials:

China Gel

The first necessary item in my bag is China Gel, which Laura and I affectionately call “Yoga Crack”.  Yes, it’s really that addictive, and you need your own jar.  We massage our students with it at the end of class, and we rub it onto our own sore, tired muscles.  It feels hot. It feels cold.  It’s many soothing sensations all at once, and we can’t get enough of it.  You must give it a try yourself.

Taste Nirvana Coconut Water

The second necessary item is Taste Nirvana Coconut Water.  I remember the first time my yoga teacher offered me a bottle.  I just finished two back-to-back yoga classes, and I was hot and depleted.  I was not a fan of coconut water, but my teacher assured me that it was not like any other coconut water that I had tasted.  She was right.  I took my first sip, and that was the beginning of my love affair with Taste Nirvana.  It was refreshing and delicious, and surpassed all of my expectations.  I wish I could adequately describe how much I love this stuff.  If you’ve convinced yourself that you don’t like coconut water, try Taste Nirvana, and you will change your mind.  If you love coconut water, you are in for an amazing treat.

Bobble BPA-Free Water Bottle with Built-In Filter

The Bobble is a reusable water bottle that filters contaminants from the water as you drink.  The filter, which comes in lots of cool colors, is good to go for 40 gallons (or about two months of use).  Forget about buying individual bottles of spring water at the supermarket and try a Bobble.  I have multiple Bobbles that I keep in various bags and locations so that I always can drink tap water without stressing.

Yogitoes Skidless Mat Size Towel

I thought my yoga mat had a great non-slip grippy surface until I took my first hot yoga class.  I was sweating like a beast, and my hands and feet were slipping in basic poses like downward facing dog.  My teacher recommended that I use a non-slip yoga towel on top of my mat, and that suggestion made all the difference.  Once you start sweating, this towel with rubberized grips on the underside makes all the difference.  I stopped slipping!  It was like a mini miracle.

Brown Rice Crackers

When I go to the gym, I lose my appetite.  When I go to yoga class, I somehow end up ravenous.  It’s a strange situation, and I don’t understand it, but I embrace it and stock my yoga bag with this particular flavor and brand of brown rice crackers.  These little crackers are so good, and they are the perfect single-bite size to fit right into your mouth. No crumby mess in your car!  I will warn you that you need to exercise a bit of self-control.  It’s hard to eat just a few.  In fact, I eat about half the package in one sitting.  I love the very simple ingredient list, and the product is “Non-GMO project verified”.  It’s also gluten-free, for all of you out there with sensitivities or allergies.

Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga

Does anybody else carry books in their yoga bag?  Maybe it’s just me, but I carry books everywhere.  This particular book is wonderful for beginners because EVERY page is covered with glossy photographs of poses, instructions and sequences.  Use it as a reference guide, and use it for daily inspiration.  I LOVE this book.

Havaianas Flip Flops

Ok, I will admit it—I am a germaphobe.  Walking around barefoot in the yoga studio makes me cringe.  I can’t handle thinking about the random hair, crumbs, dust and germs all over the floor.  Of course, in order to preserve the sanctity of the room and to keep the floor relatively clean, I do not wear shoes in the studio.  I just try very hard to keep my mind off of my feet.  However, I DO keep a pair of Havaianas flip flops in my bag to slip on to go to the bathroom or to walk in the outer hallways of the studio.  I love these flip flops because they are so thin and light in my yoga bag but sturdy and fashionable.  I have them in all sorts of prints and colors.  Check them out and add a pair to your yoga bag, too.