Earth
There is no better way to appreciate the difference between petroleum based fibers and natural fibers than to practice on them in turn. After just a few practices on hemp, a brief switch back to polyester or nylon towels will prove almost oily to the touch. It’s easy to become keenly appreciative of grounding your postures on a natural fiber texture that - like your practice and breath - are plainly and simply born from the earth.
Water
Like all great things in life, moisture is required. Adding water is an integral part of using your towel. Most yogis will be familiar with this preparatory ritual from using other traction towels. Here’s how – at the beginning of practice, sprinkle water at the top and bottom ends of your towel. These are areas where many great postures require traction. In a humid class just a little water is fine. In a dry class use more water so your traction areas stay moist throughout practice.
Evolution
Hemp fibers are tough; they don’t wear out, they wear in. Like an old baseball glove, your PadaPath hemp towel will evolve to custom fit your practice. Your towel’s traction zones will soften and gain character with time to provide even greater traction in the areas you need it.
Travels
The towel’s tails are for easy travel. Take a moment to get familiar with their use and they will serve you well. Lay your towel over your yoga mat just as you would for practice. Now roll the two together beginning at the top of your towel then rolling down toward the towel tails. When you get to the tails, wrap each around your roll and tie them together using a simple shoelace knot. This is easy to pack your gear for tomorrow’s practice or to pack up after today’s class.
Care
Machine drying works great but can leave your towel bone-dry and, when in a crowded dryer, with wrinkles. On the other hand, hang drying will leave your towel soft and unwrinkled and with a bit more natural texture than when machine dried. To this end, PadaPath towels have hanger loops so they can be hung dry fully open anywhere using a standard hanger. Think of hang drying as your towels own sun salutation – just another way to honor creation.
Here is to many great practices. May we nurture it here and carry it with us off the mat and into the world every day. With honor and light, Namaste.
