“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.”
— Buddha
When it comes to yoga philosophy, we try to follow “the yoga path.” We work, eat, play and practice yoga with intention. We seek to continually deepen our awareness of our minds and bodies. We observe the yamas and niyamas (yoga ethics) both on and off the mat. Our practice both inspires us and helps us take care of business here at Three Minute Egg® and it played a big part in the creation of our new eco friendly product line and our Good Karma Eggs.
When somebody recently asked us if it is okay to share yoga props, we thought that there might be some other folks who are wondering the same thing. So, we are exploring the question here: As yoga students, we are dedicated to doing the right thing. But does that mean we have to share our yoga stuff too? We gladly let friends and strangers alike try out the Yoga Eggs whenever we’re at a yoga conference, but to lend them out for a sweaty session? Surely, yoga etiquette allows us to keep our personal accessories to ourselves without feeling guilty about it. And while we’re on the subject, is sharing our yoga props sanitary?
To Share or Not to Share
It helps to know that Three Minute Egg® ergonomic yoga blocks are made from materials that you can easily and thoroughly clean, so you don’t have to worry about catching germs if you let a fellow yogi use yours. At the same time, you may have developed a close relationship with your Eggs and don’t want to mess with the karmic energy you’ve imbued in your props.
Sharing and aparigraha (non-greed) are common yoga concepts that permeate our practice. When asked, we typically are inclined to say “yes,” no matter how it feels inside. On the other hand, self-care and healthy boundaries are just as important.
Options for Sharing
Deciding whether to share our personal yoga props is just
one of the many ways our practice shows up in our lives. While it is mostly a
matter of preference and your individual comfort level, sharing, like giving,
can be the most wonderful act of “yoga philosophy in action” that you can
engage in. And you might change another person’s life, well at least their day,
by paying it forward (especially if they’ve never tried Yoga Eggs!).
Prepare to share by picking up a few extra Eggs. Our backpacks hold up to 6 Yoga Eggs and make it super easy to get your yoga props to and from class. Check out our Party Packs and Bulk Eggs for some ideas.
What about Yoga Class Etiquette?
Should you assume that all the props on the yoga room floor are up for grabs? Probably not. Many people bring their own yoga props to class. So if you are unsure, just ask. Most yoga studios have a designated area or shelves for the communal props if you need them. Also, many studios offer ways for you to clean the shared props after you’ve used them. Most will ask that you take your shoes off before entering the yoga room and remember to be mindful when walking around the room so as not to step on anyone else’s mat. You can always ask your studio or yoga teacher what their policies are to make sure that you are being respectful.
Precautions Can’t Hurt
Sharing things like yoga mats and Yoga Eggs may require a
few precautionary steps and considerations. Podiatrists and dermatologists nationwide
are seeing record numbers of athlete’s foot and other skin conditions, which some
directly attribute to the rising popularity of yoga in the country.
So, when you find yourself sharing Yoga Eggs with other students at your studio or haven’t yet invested in your own, take a few simple steps and clean the Eggs before and after your session. Read our blog about the best way to clean your Yoga Eggs.
It is for good reason that the first of the personal guidelines for living (niyamas) written by the Yoga sage Patanjali, is saucha, meaning cleanliness. Yoga Sutra 2:40 instructs us:
“Cleanliness or purity reveals what needs to be maintained and protected; what decays is external, what does not is deep within.”
Clean your mind with yoga philosophy and meditation. Clean your yoga stuff with soap and water.
Photo credits:
Yoga class in Extended Side Angle Pose courtesy of Yoga Upstairs
Yoga class in Savasana courtesy of Sin City Yoga