I love my Yoga Paws. Launched in 2003 by a mother/daughter team, Yoga Paws are non-slip yoga gloves worn on your hands and/or feet, a concept best described by their tagline: “The Yoga Mat You Wear.”

I came across them only recently and thought they were incredibly nifty. I contacted Yoga Paws, and Jaime, the daughter half of the Yoga Paws team, responded enthusiastically.

It’s clear that she has a passion for not only yoga and her product, but also for sharing good energy and positive thoughts. She quickly sent me a pair of Yoga Paws “Elite” in forest green, and I’ve been playing around with them ever since I got the go-ahead from my PT three months post-hip surgery.

One word: fun!

I still like my mat for yoga class, but outside of class, these paws have been super convenient. I use them:

• At home inside. When I want just a few informal minutes of stretching, I can strike a pose on the hardwood floors or even carpet, two surfaces that Yoga Paws adhere to easily without slipping. The fact that it works well on carpet comes in super handy while I’m watching Chopped (what a way to combine two addictions!).
• Outside in my backyard and camping. The outdoors are, without doubt, my favorite place to practice. When we take off to camp, I’m lucky if we can fit K-Bear in the car, never mind a mat; but there’s always room for my Paws. Though our new obnoxious family-size tent is large enough to accommodate poses, my favorite strategy has been to toss a blanket on the ground under a shady tree or next to a rambling river. When camping isn’t on the calendar, I break a sweat on the cement patio that wraps around the back of our house. My Paws are cushioned enough that the hard surface isn’t a problem, and they stick like white on rice. I can’t think of a better way to spend K-Bear’s nap time!
• Traveling. A few times per year, I travel for work to far-away cities. I always take advantage of the hotel gym on those trips, but have never been able to work in yoga, until now. Nothing beats the fatigue and need to stretch that comes with travel better than pulling out a pair of Yoga Paws and pushing up into down dog in the convenience of my hotel room. We’re hitting the road soon on a trip to Montana and you can bet my Paws will be sitting shotgun.

Now – here’s the best part. My birthday is coming up in just one week and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to gift one lucky winner a pair of Yoga Paws.  I whole-heartedly credit yoga with keeping me young, limber, and injury-free over the years, and I will be so happy if I can help inspire another person to practice. Bring on the birthdays!

To enter, leave a comment below telling me where your favorite place to practice yoga is. Earn a second entry by following Soulicious Life via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, RSS Feed or email, and leave a second comment telling me how you follow. That’s it; easy as a swan dive into forward fold!

Though following Yoga Paws isn’t a requirement, I always encourage you to reach out and share the love with our sponsor. You will find that their passion for life and yoga is contagious. So go ahead and relish in their good energy on Facebook or Twitter.

Details: The contest will run through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2012. The winner will receive a single pair of Yoga Paws “Elite” in their choice of size and color shipped directly to them from YogaPaws LLC. I’ll choose one lucky person via random.org and notify him or her via email. You will have 48 hours to respond and claim your gift. If you don’t respond, I will choose another winner. Please note that although Yoga Paws provided me a free pair of Yoga Paws “Elite,” the opinions expressed here are mine alone.

Good luck and happy birthday … to me! Namaste.

I shared this post on Monday Mania, Fat Tuesday, The Gathering Spot, Green Giveaways Galore, Your Green Resource, Fight Back Friday and It’s a Blog Party.