The 19 Best Gift Ideas For Yoga Lovers By A Stretch

Help a yoga lover enjoy their time on the mat even more with one of these gifts that are fit for yogis of any level.

It's easy to see why so many people fall in love with yoga once they try it.

Because not only is it great for your body, increasing your flexibility, balance, strength and muscle tone.

The controlled breathing and mindful movements are also brilliant for calming your mind and making you feel at peace with the world.

While the spiritual side of yoga allows you to explore your emotions and release any negative and harmful energy.

Which all add up to give you a sense of confidence, ease and contentment after yoga practice that is hard to match.

So, if you have a friend or loved one that is a yoga enthusiast then why not get them a gift to help them enjoy their time on the mat even more.

Because it's a great idea to encourage them to practice as they will reap the benefits for their physical, mental and emotional health for years to come.

And the following list of gift ideas for yoga lovers are all top choices that any yogi will adore.

1. A Top Quality Yoga Mat To Practice On

Yoga is a great activity to get into as you don't need to buy a ton of stuff to get started.

However, having a really good mat is one thing that is important.

As these mats provide a strong grip to keep you safe and stop you slipping, a padding to protect your joints, and give you stability when in the various yoga poses.

So, the most obvious gift idea for a yoga lover is to get them a top quality yoga mat to practice on.

And you have two options here.

As you can get a thinner mat for people that practice a more flowing form off yoga, as these are better for movement, balance and stability.

Or you can get a thicker mat for those that practice a slower, more restorative type of yoga, as this will give them the extra cushioning and padding they need to relax more deeply.

But if you're not sure what to go for then a great all rounder is the Manduka Pro yoga mat.

As this one is thick, durable and will suit both fast and slow forms of yoga equally well.

2. A Yoga Mat Bag That Can Hold All Their Stuff

Once you have a nice yoga mat it's a good idea to invest in a bag so you can take it too and from class easily.

As carrying a yoga mat under your arm is a pain and they can get messed up easily from the dirt and rain outside.

So, getting a yoga enthusiast a yoga mat bag to keep their mat clean and dry is a very useful gift idea for them.

And you have a ton of options and styles here, from cute tote bags, backpacks that are handy when cycling, or basic types with straps and waterproof covers.

But one that I like is the Manduka Go Light yoga mat bag.

As this one zips closed and is weather and water resistant, so there's no chance of your mat getting wet.

And the shoulder strap makes it effortless to carry while keeping both your hands free.

Plus there's an internal pocket where you can keep your valuables safe too.

3. A Yoga Mat Towel To Protect From Sweat And Slipping

Another way of protecting and prolonging the life of your yoga mat is to put a yoga towel over it as you practice.

These are specially designed towels that have rubber grips underneath to grip the yoga mat and not slip.

And by doing this you will still get the benefit of the mats cushioning and stability but without getting your sweat and odors over them.

Which is much more hygienic and really useful as it's far easier to wash and clean your towel at the end of each yoga session than it is your mat.

And these towels are especially good for hot yoga classes where the name of the game is to get a good sweat on.

As by absorbing this sweat they keep your mat cleaner and also make it far less slippery and dangerous for you to use.

So, a yoga towel makes for a very handy gift for any yoga lover and a popular choice in the community is the Yogitoes mat towel.

As this one is very absorbent, grips the mat really well, and comes in a variety of great looking patterns. 

4. A Water Bottle To Keep Them Well Hydrated

Another handy item to take with you into a hot yoga class is a water bottle.

Because you'll be sweating out buckets and will need to drink water both during and afterwards to stay properly hydrated.

Which is important as becoming dehydrated as you practice will increase your risk of injury and affect your overall energy levels.

So, a water bottle such as the Hydro Flask is a nice little gift to give to someone that loves yoga.

As this holds enough water to keep them going and will keep it cold for up to 24 hours.

Which means they'll always have a cold drink on hand whenever they need it.

5. Yoga Blocks For Balance And Assistance

While you don't need anything more than a mat to practice yoga, there are a whole range of yoga props that can improve your yoga experience.

And this includes yoga blocks.

These blocks are especially useful for beginners, older people, and people that struggle with their flexibility. 

As they help them to stay correctly aligned while in the poses, which relieves pressure on the body and lowers the chance of injuries.

Plus they allow them to relax into the pose more deeply, which will improve their flexibility over time.

So, if you want to get a yoga enthusiast that is maybe not yet the stretchiest of people a gift to help them on their journey, then a couple of yoga blocks will do nicely.

And you have two types to choose from, cork blocks that are firmer and better for balancing and foam blocks that have more give and are better for sitting or laying on.

So, it maybe an idea to get them a couple of each as they'll be covered no matter what they need them for then.

And to make sure you get ones that are well made and durable check out these blocks from Manduka.

6. A Yoga Bolster For Support And Alignment

Another prop that can be really helpful during yoga practice is a bolster.

This is a firm pillow that is used while in poses for support and to help you maintain the correct alignment.

And it's especially helpful in slower, more restorative forms of yoga where poses are held for longer.

As it allows you to relax into the pose more and open up your body to go deeper.

So, using a bolster is great for providing support when doing back bends or forward bends.

And it's also good for relieving pressure on your body when in a sitting or laying position.

So, if this sounds like a good gift idea for your favourite yogi check out the Hugger Mugger yoga bolster.

As this one is firm and supportive but also comfortable enough to be able to relax into during more restorative poses.

7. A Yoga Strap To Help Them Improve Flexibility

A yoga strap is another yoga accessory that is really good for increasing your flexibility, especially for people with tight hamstrings or shoulders.

As it can help them to get into more difficult poses while keeping their bodies correctly aligned.

Which will allow them to stretch these areas out and open up their bodies so their flexibility gradually improves.

And using a strap will also cut down on the risk of any injuries or strains from overstretching too.

So, getting a yoga lover a strap to use in practice such as the Manduka Align makes for a nice stocking stuffer gift idea.

8. A Yoga Wheel For Relieving Pressure In The Spine

A yoga prop that has recently become quite trendy is the yoga wheel.

And while not everyone is into using these in their practice, they can bring you some unique benefits.

As they are brilliant for opening up your spine during back bends and giving your back a pressure relieving massage.

And by doing this they also open up the front of your body too, which is great for stretching out your chest and shoulders.

Which makes a yoga wheel the ideal yoga prop for people that work in offices all day, as it reverses the hunched shoulder posture that they usually sit with.

So, if you know a yogi with an office job who'd appreciate letting go of some pressure, then the Up Circle Seven yoga wheel is a gift that can help them to do it.

9. A Pair Of Stylish And Comfortable Yoga Pants

In theory, you can practice yoga in anything that allows you to stretch your body without restricting you.

However, some things are just much better to do yoga in than others and it's hard to beat a pair of yoga pants.

As these are light and stretchy, super comfortable, and stick tight to your body so you won't have deal with any loose clothing getting in the way as you move through the postures.

Plus they are designed to wick away sweat and dry quickly, meaning you won't look like a sweaty mess at the end of it.

And they look great too, so you can wear them on your way to and from the yoga studio without having to worry about changing.

So, getting a yoga lover a stylish pair of yoga pants is a great gift idea.

And you have an almost limitless amount of options to choose from here when it comes to style and designs.

But you won't go wrong by getting them something from the Lululemon range such as the Align Crop yoga pants on Amazon.

10. A Hoodie To Wear Both Before And After Practice

Nothing quite matches a pair of yoga pants as well as a hoodie.

So, anyone that loves yoga will always appreciate a stylish hoodie to wear on their way to and from their yoga class.

As these keep you warm and also make you look really sporty and cool.

And they also come in handy during class too if you need to put something warm on during meditation or if you are planning to practice yoga outside.

So, a yoga lover will get plenty of use out of a hoodie if you buy them one as a gift, and for an example I've included the Lululemon Scuba hoodie that will look great on them.  

11. A Yoga Knee Pad Cushion To Save Their Joints

Some yoga poses can be really hard on your knees and elbows, especially if you suffer from joint problems to begin with.

And while using an extra thick yoga mat or folding it over in the middle to gain double the cushioning can help, it might still not be enough.

So, in these cases it's a good idea to use a padded cushion when you are in a posture that puts pressure on your joints.

And one that works perfectly as a gift for any yoga lover whose joints need protecting is the SukhaMat yoga knee pad cushion.

As this one is thick, durable, and has the padding you need to avoid knee and elbow pain during and after your yoga class.

12. A Book That Will Help Them Understand Yoga More Deeply

13. A Book On The Meditative And Mindful Side Of Yoga Practice

Yoga isn't just about the physical practice of moving and holding your body through a series of poses and postures.

It's also a very mindful practice with a strong focus on the spiritual side of things.

Which means meditation and mindfulness play a big part in yoga, with most yoga classes ending with a certain amount of time dedicated to meditating.

However, the art of meditation isn't easy, as it can be a real challenge to calm your busy mind down enough to do so.

So, to help a yoga lover get the most out of their meditation sessions you could get them 'The Mind Illuminated' by John Yates & Matthew Immergut.

As this book is a practical 'how to' meditation guide full of exercises that can really help you to quieten your mind and ignore distractions as you meditate.

Which will help them to become more mindful and get much more out of their yoga sessions in future.

14. A Scented Candle To Create A Calming Atmosphere

Creating the right atmosphere can really help when you're trying to meditate.

And most yoga studios are great at doing this with their incense candles burning and soft lighting that can be dimmed.

However, when you're practicing at home it can be more difficult to get the environment just right.

But one thing that can help is to burn some candles that give off a calming aroma to help you to relax into it.

And one example that also makes for a nice gift is the Chesapeake Bay Peace and Tranquility scented candle.

As this one gives off a soothing Jasmine scent combined with a blend of essential oils that will have you feeling calm and mindful in no time.

And make meditating at home much less of a challenge.

15. A Set Of Meditation Cushions

Being able to relax your body and feel comfortable is an important aspect of achieving success when meditating after yoga.

And when meditating in the Savasana position (lying flat on your back in corpse pose) this is fairly easy to do.

However, if you are in a class where the yoga instructor is teaching a sitting meditation then it can be much more of a challenge.

As sitting cross-legged on the floor can really start to hurt after a while and snap you out of your meditative trance.

So, a Zafu meditation cushion is a must have for any yoga lover that wants to meditate from a sitting position.

As this gives them something comfortable to sit on and also raises their hips so their body stays in the perfect alignment, relieving any pressure on their spine.

And for the ultimate sitting meditation experience you should pair this with a Zabuton floor cushion, as this will keep their legs and ankles cushioned from the hard floor.

So, a set of Zafu & Zabuton meditation cushions such as this one by Bean Products is a gift idea that can really help a yoga lovers ability to meditate and improve their enjoyment of it.

16. Open Road Goods Mexican Blanket

When meditating in the Savasana pose at the end of a yoga class your body temperature can take a sudden drop.

So, it's no surprise if you start feeling a bit of a chill.

And this can interrupt your meditation and make it impossible for you to get comfortable enough to really get into it.

So, a warm blanket such as the Open Road Goods Mexican blanket can be a handy gift for a yoga lover.

As by taking this with them into class they can use it to stay warm as they meditate.

Which will help them get the most out of their yoga session and fell rested and relaxed afterwards. 

17. Manduka Superlite Yoga Travel Mat

If you have to travel frequently for work or other reasons then it can really disrupt your yoga practice.

And this is doubly bad news, as all that travelling puts your body under strain which can leave you feeling stiff, achy and tired.

So, a gift that can help a yoga lover keep up their practice even when they're on the road and can relieve the pressures of travel is to get them a yoga travel mat.

As these are lightweight mats that can be packed easily in your bag and brought out to use in hotel rooms to get your daily yoga fix.

And the perfect choice to get for someone is the Manduka Superlite yoga travel mat.

As not only does this mat fold down to such an extent that it doesn't take up any significant amount of room in your bag or case.

It's still a really high quality yoga mat that will aid their practice and give them the grip and stability they need.

So, they have the perfect way to get the blood flowing and their body stretched out again after plane, train or bus journeys.

18. A Gift Certificate For Yoga Classes/Workshops

Yoga classes are fantastic but they aren't cheap.

So, getting a yoga lover a gift certificate to use at their favourite yoga studio is something they'll really appreciate.

As it's a thoughtful gesture that will free up some of their own money for them to spend on other things.

Which is much nicer than simply giving them the cash!

And another gift idea is to pay for them to attend a yoga workshop.

As this will allow them to broaden their knowledge and learn some new things without any guilt over whether it's an expense they should be spoiling themselves with.

So, if they won't treat themselves to something they'd like to do, why not do it for them.

19. Pay For Them To Go On A Yoga Retreat

The final gift idea on this list for yoga lovers is the most extravagant one by far and is only suitable for someone you truly love.

But if you have that special someone in your life then sending them on a yoga retreat can blow their mind.

As this way they get to practice yoga day in day out with a like-minded group of people in a beautiful location.

And they won't have to worry about anything else, as all meals are provided, technology is limited, their days are organised for them, and chores and responsibilities are taken care of.

So, they can just fully relax, recharge and enjoy the whole yogic experience.

Which makes it a real breath of fresh air and a much needed break from the busy and stressful life many of us lead.

And there are loads to choose from depending on your budget, ranging from mountain yoga retreats, yoga getaways by the beach, or even the ultimate trip to India to learn directly from wisened yogis.

So, this is the ultimate yoga gift that will give them an experience they'll never forget and the opportunity to reboot and have a mini-holiday into the bargain.

Rounding Up

Practicing yoga regularly can improve all areas of your life and health.

So, if you have a friend or family member who loves yoga then getting them a gift that encourages them to keep going with it is a really good idea.

And there are so many ways you can do this, such as with mats and props they can use, yoga clothes to wear, or cushions and pillows to make them more comfortable.

So, I hope you have found something among this list of gift ideas for yoga lovers that will be suitable for your loved one.

As these are all things that any yoga enthusiast will appreciate and find useful.