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If you're new to yoga or you've been at it for many years, you either need a mat right now, or you'll need a new one some time in the future. Maybe you started out with one of those colorful cheap mats, but found out it stunk to high heaven of chemicals? Or maybe you went the earth-friendly way and got a yoga mat made from jute. It didn't smell bad, but then it didn't last more than two months either. What's a yoga practitioner to do?

Standard Plastic yoga mats

This is a common first-timer mistake, but it's the cheapest type of mat and therefore expected of the newbies. But it IS a mistake if you intend to keep doing yoga. If you're not sure, this type of mat may just turn you away from yoga altogether! First of all, it's very thin and doesn't provide much in the way of cushioning. Additionally it really smells of chemicals, and these chemicals are not conducive to good health! These types of mats are made from Phthalates. This chemical turns hard plastic soft and causes lung and kidney damage in rats. Don't leave this type of mat in your car, either. It will release this harmful chemical when it gets hot. And if you're concerned about the environment, these aren't for you, either. They are made using and environmentally dangerous process.

Cork or Jute yoga mats

Cork and jute yoga mats are environmentally friendly, but they have drawbacks of their own. They are made from porous plants, and therefore absorb your sweat when you practice your yoga. This results in a matching smell to your well-exercised but un-showered body, and a weakening of the structure over time. Now, it won't fall apart like that "other brand" of paper towel on the commercial, but don't expect it to last very long if you practice yoga with any regularity.

Rubber yoga mats

This is the best type for the environmentally-conscious money saver. They are sturdy yet inexpensive. Rubber is a replaceable resource, but be sure your mat isn't made of synthetic rubber. This is made from an environmentally unfriendly process, and is liable to have the same health detriments, although not as bad as the phthalate mats. Natural rubber mats could be a problem for you if you're allergic to latex, but they do make phthalate-free and latex-free mats for a bit more in cost. They are well-worth it rather than exercise on harmful chemicals or the rubber/latex that causes your allergies to flare up.

pilates Mats?

Can you use pilates mats for yoga? Sure, but watch for a few things: First of all, a pilates mat is much thicker than a typical yoga mats because you spend more time on the floor doing pilates than doing yoga. It's beneficial in saving knees, hips, elbows, shoulders, and spine from contact injuries. You may want to consider it to cushion an old injury to prevent further damage. Second, pilates mats aren't necessarily made with non-slip surfaces. You need this for yoga, so be sure it has this feature. If you do both yoga and pilates and want to use just one mat for both, definitely use a pilates mat. Using a mat meant for yoga when doing pilates could cause injuries.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga

Many a potential yoga student eagerly looked up class schedules at their local gym only to be baffled by the variety of different types of yoga there are. These yoga types are actually all made up of the same postures, or poses, they use them in differing ways to achieve specific goals. Here is a guide to the most popular of yoga styles, so you can find the one you're looking for. These are the most likely to be taught at your gym and have dvd teachings readily available.

We'll start with two very general terms that each describes a variety of other, more specific types:

hatha - These types of yoga are especially good for the beginner just learning the basic poses. They tend to be gentle, slow-paced, and done to very soothing music.

Vinyasa - These yoga types are physical movements synchronized with breathing. A Vinyasa class would typically begin with vigorous "Sun Salutations" as warm-up. These match physical movement with breath. More strenuous stretching movements are done toward the end of the class.

As we discuss the more specific types of yoga, you'll see many are named after the teachers that invented them:

kundalini - This Vinyasa type of yoga uses quick, repeated movements rather than long position holds. There may even be some chanting or call and response techniques used during the class. kundalini holds the breath control during posture performance as essential. The expected result is energy moving from the lower body to the upper.

Bikram/Hot - This is usually referred to as "Hot yoga," and was initiated by Bikram Choudhury. In its full version it is a series of 26 moves, but not all are used in all classes. As its name implies, it is practiced in a hot room - about 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for a cleansing sweat and muscle relaxation.

Ashtanga/Power - Ashtanga is a quick-flow and intense yoga and is physically demanding. The "flow" is a term used to describe how much time you hold a movement and then move to the next movement. In true ashtanga yoga the same movements are always performed in the same order. "Power yoga" is something that has been derived from ashtanga. It will have the same flow, but not necessarily have the same strict pose set. Both are often used for weight loss purposes.

Iyengar - Named after teacher, yogi B.K.S. Iyengar, Iyengar yoga pays particular attention to proper body alignment. Iyengar yoga's flow is slow, emphasizing long holds and often employing various props, such as blankets, straps, and other items that help your body find the correct alignment for each position.

Anusara - This type was founded by John Friend who wanted to create a more light-hearted class open and beneficial to yoga students of all levels. It adds the positive philosophy associated with Tantra to the emphasis on physical alignment espoused by Iyengar.

Jivamukti - Inspired by ashtanga yoga, Jivamukti promotes chanting, meditation and studies of the spiritual realm. These classes are found primarily in the U.S. and are quite physically challenging.

Sivananda - These yoga centers teach more than simple yoga classes. There are now over 80 such centers world wide, and they were founded by a student of swami Sivananda. Their five basic principles are: 1. Proper exercise (Asana) 2. Proper breathing (Pranayama) 3. Proper diet (vegetarian) 4. Positive thoughts and meditation (Dhyana)

No matter which type of yoga you choose, always check with your doctor before starting a yoga, or any other kind of exercise regime.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga

The Coggins test is for a serious equine virus called equine infectious anemia (EIA). There is no vaccine or cure for EIA, which is also known as swamp fever because of the warm, wet regions of the United States in which it is more common.

There are three stages to EIA. The acute stage is when the horse shows the symptoms of the disease, which include fever; listlessness; swelling in the chest, belly or legs; and no appetite. Although, while the infection progresses, he may not show any symptoms at all, and it may take over a month for the horse to test positive on the Coggins test.

According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, between 30 and 50 percent of horses infected with EIA die within two to four weeks of showing initial symptoms.

Horses that survive the acute phase enter the chronic phase where they will have recurring symptoms of the disease including weight loss, fever and anemia. Such horses can survive up to a year or more in this stage before finally succumbing to the disease. While appearing healthy at some times, horses can experience acute episodes again when under stress such as when faced with hot weather, hard work or other disease, according to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

EIA is transmitted to horses by insects such as deerflies and horseflies. It can also be transmitted to horses through instruments contaminated with infected blood such as needles or tattoo equipment.

Some horses can also be in the asymptomatic carrier stage where they do not show any signs of disease but will test positive on the Coggins test. But these horses can also experience acute episodes when stressed. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health notes that these horses in the asymptomatic carrier stage present the greatest danger to healthy horses in public gatherings like horse shows or clinics because they appear healthy.

Surviving horses are unable to completely clear themselves of the virus and will remain infected for the rest of their lives, according to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University. Affective control of the disease depends on isolation of new, sick, untested or positively testing horses; hygiene with regard to needles and like equipment such as dental tools, fly control and identification of positive animals.

Horse owners are often required to submit a negative Coggins test in order to show, move to a new stable, sell their horse or transport their horse across state lines. A negative Coggins test proves that your horse is safe to have around other healthy horses.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) fact sheet on the EIA virus, it is the first persistent virus for which antigenic drift was defined. (Antigenic drift is the virus's ability to change its form sufficiently so that it is no longer vulnerable to existing antibodies.)

To determine if a horse is negative on a Coggins test, a blood sample from the horse is tested for the presence of EIA antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that recognizes and helps fight infections and other foreign substances in the body. The antibody is specific to the EIA antigen (a foreign substance causing an immune response).

The Coggins test was developed by Dr. Leroy Coggins, a veterinary virologist, in the 1970s. According to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University, the test has a 95% accuracy rate and is the most used test for EIA though other tests can be used when the results are questionable or to confirm diagnosis.

According to the USDA APHIS, the percentage of positives for the Coggins test has declined from nearly 4 percent in 1972 to less than 0.01 percent in 2005. The agency states that historically the disease was present particularly in hot zones such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Caroline, Virginia, Kentucky, among others. Recent figures show that the prevalence of EIA in the United States is roughly less than 8 in 100,000, according to the USDA APHIS.

Many states have different requirements with regard to handling horses positive for EIA. Because there is no cure for the disease, and a horse positive for it is a threat to healthy horses, many states require euthanasia. Others allow for very strict quarantine measures, where horses are removed from the herd and kept in a 200-yard buffer zone away from all other horses. Some require confinement to a screened stall. Isolated horses are to never have contact with with the rest of the herd again.

Though EIA is low in incidence in the United States, to reduce risk of horses being infected with EIA, the USDA APHIS recommends horseowners:

Never share needles among horses. Dispose of needles after each use. Sterilize instruments thoroughly after each use. Keep stables and area clean and drained to avoid attracting insects that spread the disease. Use insect control such as insecticides. Quarantine unhealthy, infected animals. Do not breed horses that have tested positive to EIA. Quarantine all horse species that are new to your facility until you have a Coggins test. Have the Coggins test result done and available for horse shows, fairs, and other places where animals co-mingle. Follow state laws concerning EIA.

Ron Petracek - Idaho Influenced Horseman & Director Of Articles for EquineInternet.com Looking for more Equine Information? Visit our Huge Equine Network and Buy-Sell-Trade Click => http://www.Equinefieds.com/network.php