Anne Hege Excellent - I'm so happy you're commiting to a consistent yoga practice. When you're looking for your manduka mat, the heavier the better. The weight will keep the mat static & prevent you from slipping. The manduka pro - lite mat is meant for travel, which is not ideal as it is light weight and smaller than the standard mat... I think that is the only model under $100. Here is a link to the standard mat that I prefer - it's the simplest, best selling model. Keep us posted on your practice!

http://www.manduka.com/us/shop/categories/products/mats/black-mat-pro/

Carrie Thomson Minturn I'm so glad this was helpful - as an FYI, it's unbelievable how much weight you can lose with yoga! Let me know when you complete the beginner's series and I'll be happy to share some videos that will help you tone & trim. Goodluck!

Anne Hege I would recommend a mat on carpet over just carpet. However, it would be best to use a more durable / heavier / non- slip mat in that case, such as Manduka mats. It's little bit of an investment, I would recommend sticking with a weekly routine for a few weeks to ensure you are interested enough to invest. You will notice a significant benefit from having a durable / heavy / non-slip mat on top of the carpet.

Thanks Carrie Thomson Minturn for reaching out ~ really great questions. First of all, when practicing yoga you'll notice as you move into more challenging postures that there is not enough resistance on the carpet. Mats provide a strong foundation, the harder you are working in each of the poses the more you will appreciate your mat and a hardwood floor.

Not only that, but there are tons of tiny stabilizer muscles in your hands and feet that develop when you do yoga. These muscles assist in balance and strength. Practicing on a hardwood floor or on your mat is going to provide a strong foundation for your muscles to gain feedback & develop properly. If you're practicing on a carpet, these muscles are at risk of collapsing as a soft carpet doesn't provide much feedback or support.

I would definitely recommend the beginner series for you if you are practicing on carpet, and sticking with a gentle / restorative / yin approach to yoga. These are the softer forms of yoga, and do not require you to work hard or stress your muslces.

Other props that will be helpful for you will be a strap, a bolster, and definitely blocks.

Hope this answers your questions!

Yes Stephen Elarrey if possible it is great to get into a regular public class with a skillful teacher. But for some people, that just isn't an option. And for others they don't feel comfortable in a public setting.

I'm so grateful for this outlet to reach those who aren't able to access the regular public class for whatever reason.

And for those of you who live in Northern California, I would love to see you in my public classes ;)

Yes, diane stanfield. It's great to keep it easy at first and learn your body's limits. ;)

Yes Mala Valentine! Congrats on quitting smoking! What an accomplishment...