VIVA from Best Buy - Health & Wellness Gaiam Yoga Gear

Friday, January 31, 2014

As the leading retailer for all things technology, it may come as a bit of a surprise that Best Buy has launched a new online shopping hub called VIVA. So now, in addition to their expansive array of technology offerings, Canadians can access everyday products ranging from health and wellness products and natural beauty products to items for baby and the latest fashion accessories, all in one easy place – bestbuy.ca. Because who doesn't love shopping online for a Maserati watch for your significant other during the wee hours of the morning, right? And afterwards, you can stretch out those hard-working fingers with a post-shopping yoga session using your newest Gaiam gear from VIVA, of course.

Gaiam Yoga Beginners' Kit - $59.99

If you're like me and are looking to get fit Gaiam style, VIVA has a really nice selection of yoga and pilates accessories by one of my favourite lifestyle brands - Gaiam. For those new to yoga, VIVA carries a Beginngers' Experience Yoga Kit to help get you started. This set is available in pink and contains the following:

Alignment Yoga Mat
Yoga Brick
6 ft Yoga Strap
Yoga Workout DVD

The yoga mat is 3mm which is fine for me because I find when the mat is too thick, it is more difficult to maintain balance during standing poses. The strap is handy for wrapping around your feet if you have a hard time reaching them while in a standing or seated forward bend, for holding your arms in position during bridge or plow pose, or during shoulder stretches.

The Gaiam 3-in-1 Strap & Sling can also be used as a strap but because it is elasticized, I'd recommend using it more as a resistance band. It is also ideal for slinging your yoga mat, making it easier to carry.

Gaiam Thirsty Yoga Mat Towel - $32.99

For those who tend to perspire during yoga, the Gaiam Thirsty Yoga Mat Towel is an extra-absorbent, fast-drying solution. Made from super-absorbent microfibre, it is designed to fit on top of a standard yoga mat and is ideal for Ashtanga, vinyasa, and hot yoga.

If flexibility isn't quite your forté, consider using a yoga brick. It can be used to provide stability during beginner poses such as the triangle or to help more advanced yogis extend the stretch of some poses. By worrying less about maintaining your stability, the brick allows you to hold poses longer thereby increasing your flexibility. Gaiam's Cork Yoga Brick is a heavier version of the one included in the beginners' kit above but it is made from all-natural materials and is 100% renewable and reusable.

Finally, VIVA carries a selection of rollers such as this Restore by Gaiam Muscle Therapy Foam Roller. It can help relieve stress and muscle tightness, increase circulation and help massage trigger points. Did I forget to mention you can shop using PayPal? And if you sign up to VIVA, you can earn a $15 credit towards your next VIVA purchase over $50!

While I am thrilled to add these accessories to my growing collection of yoga gear, I am even more excited to be giving away a second set courtesy of VIVA from Best Buy! The set will include:

Beginners Experience Yoga Kit
Muscle Therapy Foam Roller Kit
3-in-1 Strap & Sling
Thirsty Yoga Mat Towel
Cork Yoga Brick

To enter, visit the VIVA Health & Wellness site and tell me which product(s) caught your eye. Leave a comment on this post and then complete the form below to be eligible to win. Open to Canadian residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product from VIVA from Best Buy to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.