Body

The Decadent Multi-Tasker: Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt

April 10, 2018 · 9 Comments

We live in a day and age that a 13-step skincare process is not uncommon. But what if you could skip the other 12 products and just used one decadent product for multiple beauty needs?

Well now you can, with the incredibly luxurious Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt. Wild Beauté Coconut Tangerine Melt is made of only two ingredients: Organic Cold-pressed Coconut Oil, and Organic Cold pressed Tangerine Essential Oil. The two ingredients work in tandem to provide the skin with intense hydration. And the scent is absolutely amazing: I’ve been wearing it as my fragrance lately instead of perfume!

Wild Beauté Coconut Tangerine Melt

TIP: To add a little bit more decadence, use a small silver spoon to measure out the amount you want to use. I use a beautiful vintage spoon, and it looks gorgeous next to the jar on my vanity table!

FACE

You probably don’t need me to extol the virtues of Coconut Oil, but it’s worth spending a bit of time on since this is an especially high-grade, well crafted Coconut Oil. Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil maintains more of the beneficial aspects and is a truer form of the oil. In traditionally pressed Coconut Oil, a lot of what makes Coconut Oil helpful is “cooked off” since heat is used. So when looking for Coconut Oil, always look for a Cold-Pressed one like Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt.

Tangerine Oil has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which makes it ideal for skincare, especially as a gentle treatment for acne. It also helps to heal skin – great for dabbing on acne scars!

Wild BeautÃ© Coconut Tangerine Melt

Everyday: I love using a thin layer of Wild BeautÃ© Coconut Tangerine Melt under my sunscreen on days I know I’ll be in dry conditions, like forced heat in an office. My skin doesn’t get oily but remains dewy all day. It is also a fantastic lip primer. I haven’t had completely smooth lips since I was four, but Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt makes my lips smooth and ready for lipstick!

Intense Moisture Mask: As a soothing Sunday Night treat, I take a generous amount of Coconut Tangerine Melt, melt it slightly between my fingers, and smooth it over my face. Then I place a hot washcloth over my face, put on some relaxing music, and rest for twenty minutes. It smells amazing, and when my twenty minutes is up, I gently massage my skin to allow every last drop of moisture to absorb. My skin is so smooth and glowing, and it stays incredibly soft! Putting on makeup on Monday morning is so much easier since I have soft, plump skin to work with. And I don’t limit it to just Sundays, I use it as a moisture mask anytime my skin needs a shot of extra moisturizer!

Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt

HAIR

Ah, using Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt on hair. Your hair will thank you for this. Once a week, I like to melt some and use it as a hot oil treatment, and then wrap my hair in a hot towel. I leave it in for about an hour and then rinse it out. The result? My hair is amazingly shiny and soooooo soft! I also do mid-week treatments on my ends to keep them healthy.

It is also fantastic for second-day hair. I take a small amount and emulsify it between my hands, and then scrunch it into my hair and massage my scalp with it. My hair looks bouncy, shiny, and smells fantastic. It works the same if you want straight hair, just use a light hand.

Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt

BODY

Want the most decadent shave you’ve ever gotten? Use Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt as a shave cream. Apply it to your legs before you get in the shower, and let it set in the steam for a few minutes before you shave. Not only will you get the smoothest shave of your life, but your shower will smell amazing!

I also love using it as a post-shower moisturizer. It gives my arms a healthy glow and makes them so soft. I especially love it on elbows, knuckles, and the bane of my beauty existence, my cuticles. It moisturizes my cuticles and keeps hangnails from forming.

MAKEUP

Makeup is fun. Taking off makeup at the end of a long day is not fun. But using Wild BeautÃ©Â Coconut Tangerine Melt to take off your makeup at the end of the day is a luxurious experience that you will look forward to. No more falling asleep in your makeup!

Just take a bit, rub it between your fingers, and spread it over your face. It will gently remove your makeup, even waterproof mascara. Gently wipe your face with a soft towel, and your face will be clean and moisturized at the same time!

A little makeup hack I love: if your skin is looking a little dull during the day, pat a tiny bit of Coconut Tangerine Melt onto your cheekbones, brow bone, or anywhere else that could use a little glow. Instant highlighter!

Something else we love about Wild BeautÃ©Â products: they are made by a small company of four women. This means they know exactly what constitutes a great beauty product, because they are making the products that they need and use themselves! I love women-owned companies who just want to help other women! And as the icing on the cake, Wild BeautÃ©Â supports Wildlife conservation and protection and works with global organizations to protect animals worldwide. And they are cruelty-free!

Find Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt at http://wildbeaute.com/product/coconut-tangerine-melt/ for $40.

Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt

Style Chicks received Wild Beaute Coconut Tangerine Melt in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Tea: Amoda Organic Golden Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea

November 30, 2016 · Leave a Comment

The Style Chicks love tea. The Style Chicks love glowing skin. The Style Chicks love not feeling incredibly sore after Arm Workout Day. The Style Chicks love organic, all natural products. For all of these reasons and more, Style Chicks love Amoda Organic Golden Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea.

Amoda Organic Golden Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea

Amoda Organic Golden Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea is a magnificent blend of organic powdered turmeric, ginger, fennel, anise seed, true cinnamon, and vanilla. Sounds like a Chai variant to you? It is along that flavor line, but it packs far more flavor, not to mention health benefits. It is pretty rare that I find a chai tea that tastes as good as it smells. This herbal tea actually tastes better than it smells, and it smells amazing!

The anti-inflammatory benefits of the ingredients, especially Tumeric and Ginger, are well documented. I take Tumeric supplements for its’ anti-inflammatory effects, but I am trying to use high-grade Tumeric in cooking more to get the most benefit from it. I also try to incorporate fresh ginger into recipes as much as I can. But what I like about Amoda Organic Golden Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea is that it contains high-grade powdered ingredients (with no additives!) in an easy to use way that incorporates seamlessly into my tea-drinking lifestyle. I stir the powder into hot water and enjoy the spicy, savory treat while getting an incredible amount of healthy anti-inflammatory benefits. I love that it doesn’t feel like I’m choosing the healthy option, but rather than I’m choosing the tasty option.

The benefits have been impressive. My skin is glowing. I had an angry blemish that was painful and very red. After a few days of drinking this tea, I noticed that while it wasn’t full flat yet, the redness had disappeared. Usually, blemishes stay red far beyond when they are flat on me, and the redness disappears over time. Because of the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of the tea, the blemish is flesh tone and far less noticeable!

My under eyes have also shown marked improvement. During Fall allergy season, my eyes always get puffy, and for the past two weeks, my orbital skin has been puffy and dark. The tea de-inflamed the area, and my eyes look great!

How the tea affects muscle recovery is also profoundly impressive. After a good Tracy Anderson workout, I tend to feel run over by a truck the next day. If I drink this tea as my recovery drink, I feel substantially less sore. It’s not just power of suggestion, either. I had a shoulder injury that leaves the joint quite inflamed. Last night I put my hand on the affected shoulder while I was in the middle of a conversation, and it was significantly less swollen than normal. Though I was absorbed in the conversation, the reduction of inflammation was enough to make me lose my train of thought. It took me a couple of minutes to realize that it is likely due to this amazing tea!

Not to split hairs, but technically this is a tisane since it is an herbal tea, not a true tea since no actual tea leaves are involved. However, this opens up options. If you want the health benefits of green tea but dislike the taste, try addition this mix into your tea, and the vegetal taste is greatly diminished. Lyn and I acquired a taste for straight green tea over time, but it took awhile (especially when we got into Matcha.) So if you are looking to start drinking green tea (or any tea), adding this mix turns a regular cup of tea into an amazingly tasty, incredibly healthy taste treat!

Amoda Organic Golden Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea

Mom tried it today and loved how full-bodied it is. She doesn’t like tea as much as Lyn and I do because it is, as she calls it, a “thin-bodied” beverage. She loves this tea because it is full bodied (think Hot Apple Cider straight from one of the many amazing New England orchards) and she considers it more of a savory snack for break time rather than just a hot beverage. So, if you are looking to cut out some calories by ditching your carby, sugary afternoon snack and want to replace it with a tasty, satisfying, healthy drink, this is ideal for you!

Lyn found that it had similar results for her in that it cut out her craving for a buttery carb mid-afternoon. As a family, buttery carbs are held in high culinary regard as a treat, so this is truly a testimony to this tea!

And don’t forget, it is all plant-based, organic, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and perfect for vegans!

Find this lovely tea at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HQWM6ZG?th=1.

And learn more about the incredible health benefits ofÂ Turmeric Curcumin!

I received this item for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Health: Effective Natural Products ENP Super B-Complex Liquid

October 31, 2016 · 3 Comments

B Vitamins have gotten more attention recently because of their impact on brain function and energy levels, their role in combating stress, regulating metabolism and nerve function, and, of course, their beauty benefits. Some expensive Vitamin B supplements are available marketed towards improved hair and nail growth as well as for promoting youthful, glowing skin.

WHY TAKE A VITAMIN B SUPPLEMENTAL COMPLEX?

Many women including myself have inadequate levels of one or more Vitamin B’s, leading to feeling tired, sluggish, and just mentally foggy. Some seek a multi-vitamin or B Complex supplement to address general tiredness in the hopes of gaining more energy. A Vitamin B Complex can be especially beneficial when taken in liquid form instead of capsules or pills. These tablet form vitamins do provide some benefit but do not absorb nearly as well as a liquid Vitamin B Complex. One liquid complex we especially like is Effective Natural Products ENP Super B-Complex Liquid.

Effective Natural Products ENP Super B-Complex Liquid

MY EXPERIENCE WITH ENP VITAMIN B-COMPLEX LIQUID

I have long struggled with low Vitamin B levels; it got worse as I burned the proverbial candle at both ends in grad school. I have gotten Vitamin B12 injections at the doctor, and post bloodwork follow-up calls from said freaked-out doctor urging me to go out and buy a Vitamin B Super Complex RIGHT NOW and start to take it daily. These phone calls include warnings of what can go wrong with low B levels including the risk of nerve damage and low red blood cell production. The doctor also told me I’d be less tired if I take Vitamin B, so now I do so regularly, and supplements do help. I can usually tell quickly if a Vitamin B supplement works for me or not by three factors:

I quickly feel like I have some physical energy and during the hours that follow, increased mental focus
My metabolism kicks into high gear
In a few weeks, my otherwise stubby, brittle, weak fingernails start to grow like weeds

I’ve tried all kinds of Vitamin B supplements ranging from drugstore generics to super expensive brands including some supplements geared towards hair and nail growth. So far, on the drugstore brands, I probably have improved levels of Vitamin B medically speaking, but I don’t feel much improvement in my energy, stamina, and metabolism. I saw no improvement in my hair growth and my fingernails were still weak and brittle. I have been on a more expensive brand of Vitamin B, which does improve my energy levels to a degree and my nails grow fast. But even this expensive Vitamin B complex doesn’t contain all of the Vitamin B range I was told by the doctor to take, so I still have some gaps despite taking a B Complex daily.

Effective Natural Products ENP Super B-Complex Liquid

SOME BENEFITS OF ENP VITAMIN B-COMPLEX LIQUID

ENP Vitamin B-Complex Liquid has all of the B Vitamins I was told I needed in a complex. That is a good start. It is annoying to be taking a B Complex and realize you are still missing some important ones. Each of these B Vitamins works with other Bs in the supplement to convert food to energy.

HIGH ABSORPTION RATE
Another vital feature is ENP’s liquid B-Complex is has a very high absorption rate. I always knew it was better to get your B’s from food instead of supplements whenever possible, but didn’t realize even amongst supplements that the form of supplement is highly correlated to how well the body can use it to its’ benefit. Pills and capsules must be digested, which doesn’t leave as much Vitamin B left to get into your bloodstream. But a liquid has a much better chance of your body absorbing the nutrients it like food, a far superior means of attaining Vitamin B. Statistically speaking, liquid absorption beats out pills and capsule by a long shot, it is more than twice as effective.

A superior feature to ENP’s Liquid B-Complex amongst Liquid Vitamins is that is it cold-processed to preserve the nutrient values intact. This is a rarity amongst liquid vitamins.

VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY FORMULA
Vegetarians often have difficulty obtaining adequate levels of Vitamin B strictly from their diet alone. Unfortunately, many supplements, especially capsules use animal products. ENP Liquid B-Complex contains no animal products and is considered vegetarian-friendly.

NO FILLERS OR ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS
According to their packaging and website, ENP Liquid B-Complex does not contain artificial color or sweeteners, yeast, wheat, sugar or dairy products, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, treenuts, peanuts, or soy.

TASTE AND TEXTURE
ENP Liquid B-Complex mixes well into juice or tastes good alone. It is not gritty, slimy or chalky, it tastes and feels like a mixed blend juice.

MORE ON ENP LIQUID B-COMPLEX INGREDIENTS
Eight B Vitamins function together, but not all supplements contain all of them. Here are all eight B Vitamins in this complex and what each of them does:

B1 (Thiamine) works with the other Bs to turn food into energy
B2 (Riboflavin) is a co-enzyme required by certain vital proteins to function.
B3 (Niacin) regulates cholesterol. A lack of Niacin can result in anemia, headaches, and tiredness.
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) converts food to energy, specifically synthesizing and metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
B6 (Pyridoxine) works to convert food to energy
B7 (Biotin) is responsible for maintaining proper blood sugar levels
B9 (Folate) also known as Folic Acid, it is involved in DNA, red blood cell, and RNA production. Folate prevents anemia
B12 (Cobalamin) maintains the brain, nervous system, hair, skin, and nails

Other ingredients:

Aloe Vera is exceptionally good for you because it contains nutrients for cleansing and repair of the body and the reducing of inflammation. Drinking Aloe Vera also makes skin look radiant. I could never quite stomach drinking Aloe Vera Juice drinks, but find it doable within this supplement liquid.

Choline helps synthesize cell membrane components. Women tend to not get the recommended intake of choline, especially postmenopausal women.

Inositol is a vitamin-like substance found in plants. It works to balance body chemicals and thereby promotes hair growth and reduces insomnia, attention disorders, and depression.

Dimethylglycine is an amino acid found in liver and beans. It is believed to function with the immune system to reduce stress and inflammation in the body. If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor about how much Dimethylglycine (DMG) intake is safe for you.

Effective Natural Products ENP Super B-Complex Liquid

TRYING THE SUPPLEMENT:

SERVING: Shake the bottle well and drink one ounce (one capful) alone or in juice once a day. Can be mixed with juice or consumed directly.

– Taste: A sweet, non-acidic somewhat citrusy taste. Tastes good by itself as well if you are not a daily juice drinker.
– Smell: like a non-descript fruit juice, pleasant.
– Texture: Not quite as thick as a nectar yet thicker than orange juice in consistency, but not slimy or gelatinous. Not chalky or gritty. Mixes well into my morning juice without being detectable or feeling slimy when swallowing it.

Easy to drink, it blends into my juice without stirring, and it is not particularly detectable in flavor or texture in grapefruit or other citrus juices or juice blends.

Effective Natural Products ENP Super B-Complex Liquid

RESULTS
I was very pleased with the results of ENP Vitamin B-Complex Liquid! I have been using an expensive combination of Vitamins to supplement my Vitamin B needs, and while they have helped, I still did not feel like I had much energy. ENP Vitamin B-Complex Liquid seems to make my mental focus clearer, and I feel more awake during the day, similar to how I feel when I have an afternoon cup of coffee but without the caffeine. My energy levels are more even, and I don’t feel a suddenly exhausted crash at mid-day. I have been using ENP Vitamin B-Complex for about a week now, but I only felt I needed a cup of afternoon coffee one a day this week instead of my daily routine of multiple cups of coffee during the day, which for me is wonderful! For a 2-3 cups of coffee per day person to just have morning coffee and the B-Complex liquid in my juice is pretty impressive results in my book. ENP Vitamin B-Complex Liquid comes in a 32-ounce bottle, so I am excited to see the results after an entire month of use and beyond!

Of course, consult your physician before starting this or any other vitamin or dietary supplement.

Find ENP Vitamin B-Complex Liquid at CPVitaminSales.com.Â Style Chicks readers get 15% off with promo code STYLE15.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2W4Wm4m_f8[/embedyt]

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Health: Nature’s Rite Bruise-Strain-Tear Repair

October 31, 2016 · 2 Comments

Already a fan of Nature Rite’s Muscle Honey, was pleased to learn of their maximum strength herbal remedy product Bruise-Strain-Tear Repair and have the opportunity to test it on two challenging problems, an injured rotator cuff, and plantar fasciitis.

Nature’s Rite Bruise-Strain-Tear Repair

This formula contains some of the herbal ingredients in Muscle Honey along with three exclusive to this product, presumably selected to best target the listed indications of tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, sprained ankles & wrists, bruises, broken bones, and post-surgical healing.

The herbal ingredients in the formula are comfrey and plantain to aid in tissue mending, Witch Hazel to relax muscle fibers and increase flexibility, Arnica Montana to support healing, White Willow Bark for pain relief, Rosemary and Thyme to increase circulation and Peppermint Leaf to cool and soothe. Other ingredients are carbomer for gelling, Optiphen as a preservative and TEA for pH adjustment.

The gel is medium bodied with a subtle, pleasant herbal fragrance that dissipates quickly after application. The gel is very easy to use, remaining moist while applying to even a large area and then drying in just a few moments without any sticky residue.

Nature’s Rite Bruise-Strain-Tear Repair

In my situation, the action of the ingredients Comfrey and Plantain became particularly interesting upon learning during the initial period of injury the liver secretes an enzyme that causes the activity of fibroblasts in the body increase to produce more collagen, the protein the body uses to repair soft tissue. Comfrey and Plantain produce the compound Allantoin, which is understood to stimulate the activity of the fibroblasts to continue producing collagen beyond the initial period of injury, after which time the fibroblasts ordinarily return to their pre-injury level of activity. As a result, soft tissue repair continues at an accelerated pace after the body’s initial jump start for as long as the Comfrey and Plantain-containing formula is applied. Arnica Montana supports the healing that has been set in motion by Comfrey and Plantain, as do the Rosemary and Thyme, stepping up circulation.

The balance of herbal ingredients contributes toward comfort while the healing takes place. Witch Hazel relaxes muscle fibers, Peppermint Leaf cools and soothes, and White Willow Bark directly reduces pain.

Nature’s Rite recommends applying the gel three times a day for 1 to 2 weeks in the case of minor bruises and three times a day for four weeks in the case of chronic or serious injury and to ingest vitamin A, C, D, and E to support the healing. An important note is to continue the regimen beyond the point of starting to experiencing pain relief and until healing is complete, which would generally be expected to follow the timetable as mentioned earlier.

My injuries fall into the category of chronic and/or serious. It was my experience with the formula that my foot felt welcome relaxation and pain relief from the first day, so I did appreciate the heads-up that pain relief likely would occur before the underlying issue had time to resolve due to the efficacy of the pain-relieving ingredients. Because of the caution to continue the program I avoided stopping Bruise-Strain-Tear Repair prematurely, only to have to start over with the likely return of pain, possibly losing momentum and prolonging the healing process. Nature’s Rite informs the product can cut days to weeks off the healing process and it only makes sense that the quickest route to healing is to follow the instructions in the first place.

As far as my shoulder, it will probably need surgical repair, but I find the product useful in that by relaxing the muscles involved and providing soothing pain relief to part of the affected area, it helps me carry out functions that I can’t avoid since the shoulder is the same side as my dominant hand. I was glad to learn that the product is also helpful during post-surgery healing, so I anticipate using it continuously for some time to come.

For both my foot and shoulder, a dime-size amount of gel on each covers the complete area to which I apply it. To give you an idea, for the shoulder I spread the gel from the base of the neck across the top of the shoulder, front and back of that area to about 3 inches depth and down the side of the arm 6 or 7 inches.

Though the main symptoms of the foot occur on the sole-heel to the ball of the foot, I also apply the gel on the top of the foot and between my toes, having learned from experience, this provides the most complete relief. The type of relief I’ve experienced is a noticeable soothing and relaxation of the muscles along with a lessening of pain to the point that I forget about the foot while going about my business, quite the opposite of the continuous consciousness of foot discomfort I’ve lived with for quite awhile.

Nature’s Rite Bruise-Strain-Tear Repair

I’m less than halfway through the recommended timeframe of four weeks of treatment and, so far, quite pleased with the results. As I mentioned, with my shoulder I would expect to be continuing beyond the four weeks and until surgery, followed by a post-surgical course of treatment with the gel. And I’m okay with that since now there’s light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to this very helpful, all natural approach.

Of course, it is always wise to check symptoms with your doctor to avoid masking a serious underlying issue, but, you might find this product a good alternative to many other topical products. Before using any product, read over the ingredient list and make sure that there are no conflicts with any medications or conditions you have.

Find this fantastic product at MyNaturesRite.com.

Exercise: Cielo Yoga Block and Strap

September 25, 2016 · Leave a Comment

If you go to a Yoga studio, you may have seen or used Yoga Blocks and straps before. If you are trying Yoga or Pilates or some simple stretching exercises at home by yourself or with an instructional DVD for the first time, a block and a strap are a worthwhile investment for keeping proper form and reducing the risk of injury. Using at-home exercise tutorial videos at great but it is easy to unknowingly develop bad form. Recently I tried a Cielo Yoga Block and Strap that help me retain good posture.

Cielo Yoga Block and Strap

WHAT IT DOES
The Cielo Yoga Block and Strap is an excellent set to modify poses, provide support, stability or balance during yoga and pilates. If you can’t reach far enough or you have difficulty holding form or retaining balance, a block or strap can help. Cielo blocks and straps are made from waterproof and eco-friendly materials.

WHO IT IS FOR
They are ideal for:

Beginners
Those with weak posture or alignment, weak core strength
Those with an injury
Those with balancing problems
Those undertaking a challenging new pose and want to make sure to retain proper form and alignment
Women at all stages of a pregnancy and post pregnancy as the body needs more support, and the center of balance is constantly changing.
Those with hypermobility who have difficulty getting a good stretch

THE CIELO YOGA BLOCK

QUALITY
Two issues concern me when selecting a yoga block: sizing of the block and the whether the material is suitable for comfortable, yet grounded use.

SIZING: The block is 9x6x4 inches. By positioning the block, there are three height options for customized support. Laying flat on the thinner side I find useful for sitting on, placed upright lengthwise gives support to the hands when stretching from above, and I want to retain the ability to balance.

COMFORTABLE GROUNDING: My ideal yoga block is comfortable enough to use but not so soft that it has too much give to be stable. This Cielo Yoga block is durable non-slip, hard foam material that has some cushion without being too soft. Gentle on the hands, it is comfortable to use to bear weight upon with just the right amount of give to be comfortable for the wrist when grounding down yet hard enough to still maintaining proper positioning.

USE
The Cielo block is helpful to sit on during exercises that typically one sits on their feet. I find the block gives me a better alignment. I like to use the block between my knees or thighs to hold proper alignment of my legs for Wheel or Bridge pose. The Cielo block stayed steady and provided some lengthening balance for my lowered hand on the block during Revolved Triangle; it creates the longer line of the intended triangle shape and gives better opening when I can hold the pose longer.

Cielo Yoga Block and Strap

THE CIELO YOGA STRAP

QUALITY
It is well made and durable, no wear and tear from my pulling, tugging or bearing weight on it. It is comfortable and easy to grasp. It is long enough to use for arms or legs or to wrap around the core and shoulders to maintain posture, especially for beginners or after sustaining an injury.

USE
The 1.5” x 8-foot strap is a very useful tool for keeping the core in place or ensuring proper form for beginner poses or difficult poses. If you are working on improving posture, this strap is very helpful. For beginners or those with posture issues, the wrapping the strap around the waist and shoulders provides a reminder of keeping proper alignment.

I find the strap particularly helpful in my stretches when I am very tight as well as when attempting new poses and positions, or when I just can’t reach far enough for stretches like Cow Face Pose. The strap helps me keep even posture, form, and alignment. I get a deeper stretch in my hamstrings and back and keep better form when I use the strap during a forward bend. If you are unsure of your posture and alignment during a Downward Dog pose, a strap is very helpful. And a Hammock Pose can be enhanced with the use of a strap to keep the tension out of a stretch. My favorite stretch with a strap is the Legs Up in the Air Pose, after a long day this releases tension in the back after just a few minutes. I like to do that one before bed for better sleep at night.

I also find the strap useful to wear while sitting at the computer in my home office; I tend to slump and this helps me keep proper posture when sitting.

Cielo Yoga Block and Strap

CONCLUSION: Straps and blocks are not just for Yoga newbies, they can help make your body feel better and maintain form longer. Cielo Yoga straps and blocks are eco-friendly, waterproof material with comfortable give that is still firm enough to ground down and maintain stability, the block and strap provide stability and balance to aid my alignment for deeper poses and stretches.