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Gift Ideas for Every Type of Yogi on Your List

By U.S. News & World Report

As a yogi, unwrapping yoga gloves or incense is about as exciting as finding a pack of socks under the tree. It just falls flat.

[See: 7 Non-Offensive Gift Ideas to Nudge Someone Toward Healthy Behaviors.]

I don’t blame you, though, if you’ve fallen into this gift-giving trap. Buying gifts for a yoga practitioner is challenging. There are as many different yoga gifts as there are yogis. So instead of guessing what the yogi in your life might like, start by having a casual conversation about what makes him or her passionate about the practice. Then, shop more skillfully by considering these ideas for seven types of yogis:

1. The Beginner

Every new practitioner should have certain props. A high-quality yoga mat helps yogis focus by preventing sliding and awkwardly adjusting during the practice. Lululemon, Jade and Manduka make mats that have longevity and are comfortable to do yoga on.

Along with a good mat, two blocks, a strap and a yoga blanket are very helpful for any yogi looking to align his or her poses and advance safely. Gaiam yoga blocks and straps are great. Lululemon also sells all the yoga props you need, along with comfortable (yet stylish) yoga clothes that will last. A gift card to Lululemon is very useful if you are looking for quality gear. You can also find all of these tools on each company’s website or on Amazon.

2. The Technical Yogi

Choose a gift that provides strategies for aligning your loved one’s poses correctly. Any books by Darren Rhodes are very actionable and helpful. His “Yoga Resource” book features 360 poses with pictures of each pose and full instructions on how to do them. “Light On Yoga” by B.K.S. Iyengar is a classic and still very relevant. “Yoga Anatomy” by Leslie Kaminoff is also a valuable tool for any yogi who is interested in becoming more knowledgeable about the practice.

[See: These Books Can Actually Transform Your Health.]

Steer away from certain yoga texts like the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” and “Bhagavad Gita.” Unless the recipient is in a yoga teacher training program, these books are very difficult to consume on their own. They are meant to be read and discussed in a group.

3. The Studio Loyalist

Many yoga students are committed to one studio. If your loved one practices regularly, consider a gift certificate to his or her favorite studio. Call or check the studio’s website to see if they sell gift cards; if not, you can purchase a membership.

4. The Goal Setter

Ask the yogi you are shopping for what he or she is working on. Then, research local studios and look into workshops that offer the specific tools your loved one wants to learn. For example, if your pal is looking to work on inversions or arm balances, often studios will offer workshops that teach those specific skills. Sometimes, yogis are just interested in learning more and deepening their practice. Find out who some of your yogi’s instructors are, and look them up online by name and location. Teachers usually have a website where they will post upcoming events and courses. If the recipient loves a certain teacher, chances are good that he or she will be happy with any deepening studies with that person.

5. The Admirer

There is nothing more helpful and efficient than working one-on-one with a skillful teacher. While private lessons are more expensive than many other yoga-related gifts, they are well worth it. A private session is very informative and geared to the goals of the student. The value a yogi receives through one private lesson has the potential to shift the trajectory of his or her practice entirely. To book a private lesson, contact the instructor through his or her website or via the studio. Teachers are usually thrilled to teach students one-on-one. It gives them the opportunity to work in depth with students, and pays well enough to ensure they’ll show up excited to offer their best teachings.

6. The Busy Yogi

While yoga is always better when you are physically with a teacher watching over you, convenience often hinders people from practicing as often as they’d like. If the yogi you are buying for lives in a rural area or has a busy schedule, consider investing in online yoga classes. Yogaglo and Yoga International both provide quality classes at very affordable prices. You can purchase memberships directly from their websites. You will get immediate access to an archive of different classes that range from basics to advanced, and in all different styles to choose from.

[See: 11 Healthy Holiday Gifts.]

7. The Yoga Partner

Many yoga practitioners want to share the practice with their loved ones, so scheduling a class with your yogi makes a great gift — especially if you’ve been asked to join in the past. Making the time to show interest in what your pal loves will be memorable. After class,enjoy a meal together and make it a point to be supportive and discuss the class.

More from U.S. News

9 Misconceptions About Yoga

How to Practice Yoga When You Have Arthritis or Another Chronic Condition

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Gift Ideas for Every Type of Yogi on Your List originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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