“My office felt like a steamer on Monday morning,” wrote Chinese influencer Bi Dao in a social media post in August. He fetched a drink from a supposed cold-water dispenser – it was 40.8°C (105°F). Bi, who lives in Hangzhou, a regional capital on China’s east coast, decided to roam the city with a temperature gun, pointing it at things to find out exactly how hot they had got. “The ground was 72.6°C, the seat of a sharing bike was 56.5°C, the handrail in the metro station was 45°C, even the tree bark was 38.7°C,” he wrote. He ended his post by thanking Willis Carrier for inventing the air conditioner.
Hangzhou is known for its beautiful lake, large pagoda and rolling green tea farms – not for heat. But what Bi witnessed was only one of the 60 “high-temperature days” – ones that topped 35°C (95°F) – that grilled the city and its 12.5 million inhabitants this year. Hangzhou isn’t alone. Many cities worldwide are feeling the heat. Things are getting so bad that growing numbers of people face temperatures that are beyond human endurance.
Already, such conditions kill around half a million each year. That will inevitably rise as climate change increases the number and intensity of heatwaves around the globe. Cities are on the front line of this unfolding crisis. And China’s vast, densely packed megacities are leading the way. As well as providing a glimpse of what we are in…
There is a lot to keep track of when working in space
NASA via Getty Image
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) had slower memory, attention and processing speed after six months, raising concerns about the impact of cognitive impairment on future space missions to Mars.
The extreme environment of space, with reduced gravity, harsh radiation and the lack of regular sunrises and sunsets, can have dramatic effects on astronaut health, from muscle loss to an increased risk of heart disease. However, the cognitive effects of long-term space travel are less well documented.
Now, Sheena Dev at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and her colleagues have looked at the cognitive performance of 25 astronauts during their time on the ISS.
The team ran the astronauts through 10 tests, some of which were done on Earth, once before and twice after the mission, while others were done on the ISS, both early and later in the mission. These tests measured certain cognitive capacities, such as finding patterns on a grid to test abstract reasoning or choosing when to stop an inflating balloon before it pops to test risk-taking.
The researchers found that the astronauts took longer to complete tests measuring processing speed, working memory and attention on the ISS than on Earth, but they were just as accurate. While there was no overall cognitive impairment or lasting effect on the astronauts’ abilities, some of the measures, like processing speed, took longer to return to normal after they came back to Earth.
Having clear data on the cognitive effects of space travel will be crucial for future human spaceflight, says Elisa Raffaella Ferrè at Birkbeck, University of London, but it will be important to collect more data, both on Earth and in space, before we know the full picture.
“A mission to Mars is not only longer in terms of time, but also in terms of autonomy,” says Ferrè. “People there will have a completely different interaction with ground control because of distance and delays in communication, so they will need to be fully autonomous in taking decisions, so human performance is going to be key. You definitely don’t want to have astronauts on Mars with slow reaction time, in terms of attention-related tasks or memory or processing speed.”
It isn’t surprising that there were some specific decreases in cognitive performance given the unusual environment of space, says Jo Bower at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK. “It’s not necessarily a great cause for an alarm, but it’s something that’s useful to be aware of, especially so that you know your limits when you’re in these extreme environments,” she says.
That awareness could be especially helpful for astronauts on longer missions, adds Bower. “It’s not just how you do in those tests, but also what your perception of your ability is,” she says. “We know, for example, if you’re sleep deprived, that quite often your performance will decline, but you won’t realise your performance has declined.”
Without question, inactivity is bad for us. Prolonged sitting is consistently linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease and death. The obvious response to this frightful fate is to not sit—move. Even a few moments of exercise can have benefits, studies suggest. But in our modern times, sitting is hard to avoid, especially at the office. This has led to a range of strategies to get ourselves up, including the rise of standing desks. If you have to be tethered to a desk, at least you can do it while on your feet, the thinking goes.
However, studies on whether standing desks are beneficial have been sparse and sometimes inconclusive. Furthermore, prolonged standing can have its own risks, and data on work-related sitting has also been mixed. While the final verdict on standing desks is still unclear, two studies out this year offer some of the most nuanced evidence yet about the potential benefits and risks of working on your feet.
Take a Seat
For years, studies have pointed to standing desks improving markers for cardiovascular and metabolic health, such as lipid levels, insulin resistance, and arterial flow-mediated dilation (the ability of arteries to widen in response to increased blood flow). But it’s unclear how significant those improvements are to averting bad health outcomes, such as heart attacks. One 2018 analysis suggested the benefits might be minor.
And there are fair reasons to be skeptical about standing desks. For one, standing—like sitting—is not moving. If a lack of movement and exercise is the root problem, standing still wouldn’t be a solution.
Yet, while sitting and standing can arguably be combined into the single category of “stationary,” some researchers have argued that not all sitting is the same. In a 2018 position paper published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, two health experts argued that the link between poor health and sitting could come down to the specific populations being examined and “the special contribution” of “sitting time at home, for example, the ‘couch potato effect.’”
The two researchers—emeritus professors David Rempel, formerly at the University of California, San Francisco, and Niklas Krause, formerly of UCLA—pointed to several studies looking specifically at occupational sitting time and poor health outcomes, which have arrived at mixed results. For instance, a 2013 analysis did not find a link between sitting at work and cardiovascular disease. Though the study did suggest a link to mortality, the link was only among women. There was also a 2015 study on about 36,500 workers in Japan who were followed for an average of 10 years. That study found that there was no link between mortality and sitting time among salaried workers, professionals, and people who worked at home businesses. However, there was a link between mortality and sitting among people who worked in farming, forestry, and fishing industries.
Still, despite some murkiness in the specifics, more recent studies continue to turn up a link between total prolonged sitting—wherever that sitting occurs—and poor health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular disease. This has kept up interest in standing desks in offices, where people don’t always have the luxury of frequent movement breaks. And this, in turn, has kept researchers on their toes to try to answer whether there is any benefit to standing desks.
Nearly a year after its approval, the first medical treatment that uses the Nobel Prize–winning technology Crispr is now being given to patients.
Mnozí muži se potýkají s problémy, které ovlivňují jejich sebevědomí a vztahy. Tyto potíže mohou mít různé příčiny, včetně psychologických a fyzických faktorů. Zajistit si kvalitní podporu a informace může být zásadní pro zlepšení situace. Pro ty, kteří hledají pohodlné řešení, představuje spolehlivá online lékárna ideální volbu. Další informace a možnosti naleznete na pilulky-cz.com.
Called Casgevy, the gene-editing treatment is for people with sickle cell disease and a related blood disorder called beta thalassemia. UK regulators approved the treatment in November 2023, followed by the US and Europe in December. Vertex, the pharmaceutical company that markets Casgevy, announced in a November 5 earnings call that the first person to receive Casgevy outside of a clinical trial was dosed in the third quarter of this year. The company reported $2 million in revenue from that patient. (Casgevy debuted with a price tag of $2.2 million in the US.)
“Cagevy has been enthusiastically received by patients, physicians, and policymakers, and the launch is gathering momentum across all regions,” Stuart Arbuckle, Vertex’s chief operating officer, said on the earnings call. He added that additional patients are accessing the treatment commercially.
When WIRED followed up with Vertex via email, spokesperson Eleanor Celeste declined to provide the exact number of patients that have received Casgevy. However, the company says 40 patients have undergone cell collections in anticipation of receiving the treatment, up from 20 patients last quarter.
In sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia, patients don’t produce healthy hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Errors in the hemoglobin gene are to blame. As a result, people with sickle cell have hard, crescent-shaped red blood cells that stick together and block blood flow, causing extreme bouts of pain. These pain crises can last for hours or days and can land patients in the hospital. In beta thalassemia, the body doesn’t make enough hemoglobin, which leads to anemia. People with severe beta thalassemia need regular blood transfusions every several weeks throughout their lifetime.
Casgevy works by using Crispr to modify a person’s own cells so that they produce a healthy type of hemoglobin.
The delay in patients receiving Casgevy is not necessarily unexpected, as the treatment is complex to administer and only certain hospitals are able to perform the procedure. On last week’s earnings call, Arbuckle said 45 treatment centers are now authorized to administer Casgevy, and Vertex expects that number to grow to approximately 75 around the world.
I can tell this question comes from an honest place of wanting to reduce the harm you cause through your individual interactions with AI software, which we know is quite resource-intensive. But first, take a step back with me for a moment and free yourself from the guilt of existence.
I would bet serious cash you’re an avid recycler as well? Someone who knows far too much about the different types of plastics and religiously sorts it all out like an upstanding citizen?
While this is a great practice in theory, your recyclable items may actually end up getting incinerated, buried in a landfill, or tossed into the ocean. This is because waste-management sites can’t process many types of plastic, and the deluge of garbage our society generates is just too overwhelming for our current systems to deal with. So, in the case of plastic recycling, our intentions as consumers are righteous, but the actions we take often amount to little more than a daily ritual absolving ourselves of the guilt of participating in a system that contributes to pollution.
It may feel good right now to personally opt out from using energy-intensive generative AI software when you can. Even so, you may not be able to avoid it forever. Your future job could be augmented by AI in some way that’s deemed critical to your performance, and you’ll have no choice but to let it suck up power and resources so you can get your work done. Honestly, the last decade’s shift to cloud storage has intensively transformed how we approach computing as a society, and I don’t know anyone who’s ethically conflicted about the number of photos clogging up their Apple iCloud storage. The reality is that personal, consumer decisions have less of an impact on the world than we would often like to think.
Even though I’m skeptical that abstention from AI tools by individual users will have a significant impact on the environment, this doesn’t mean the future is hopeless! If anything, I think you should be calling up your government representatives and voicing your perspective as someone who uses AI and is concerned with the technology’s impact on the long-term health of our planet. Assuming tech companies are going to continue building giant data centers—and they are—we should at least push for sustainable infrastructure, like onsite renewable energy generation and a reduction of water consumption by the computers’ cooling systems. The public deserves more transparency about how vast amounts of resources are consumed at these private sites that power our AI tools.
At your service, Reece
Seeking advice on how to navigate the world of artificial intelligence tools? Submit any questions you’d like Reece Rogers to answer to [email protected], and use the subject line The Prompt.
“Today’s ecosystem is based around living volunteers,” Ossium’s CEO and cofounder, Kevin Caldwell, says. While the US organ donor system has existed for decades, bone marrow has never been regularly collected from those deceased donors in the same way that hearts, lungs, kidneys, and livers have. Nobody had come up with an efficient way of obtaining the cells from deceased donors or cryopreserving them at scale so they can be stored until needed.
Ossium CEO and cofounder Kevin Caldwell.
Photograph: Chris Whonsetler
“Unlike a solid organ, you can’t just transplant bone marrow into the nearest person who is roughly the right size who needs it,” Caldwell says. “You really have to have a close genetic match between the donor and the recipient.”
The new method of stem cell harvesting, via apheresis, doesn’t work well in deceased people because it relies on blood pressure. Based on previousresearch conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and Johns Hopkins University, Ossium developed a way to extract bone marrow from the spinal column, a part of the body that typically went unused. The company has partnered with US organ procurement organizations to recover spinal columns from cadavers and ship them to the company’s facility in Indianapolis. There, bone marrow is extracted and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen vapor at about –190 degrees Celsius.
Caldwell says Ossium has “processed thousands of donors” since the company was founded in 2016. (The exact number of donors in the bank is proprietary, he says.) Ossium’s frozen bone marrow has now been given to three people in total, including the Michigan woman, with a fourth transplant scheduled soon.
Robert Negrin, a professor of medicine at Stanford University and vice president of the American Society of Hematology, calls the transplants an “important milestone,” but whether the technique will be useful for cancer patients remains to be seen. “We have other options that work pretty well,” he says, referring to partially matched donor transplants and cord blood transplants. “But there are always situations that could fall through the cracks.”
Negrin sees potential for deceased donor bone marrow transplants to help organ transplant patients, who currently must take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their lives to avoid their immune system attacking the new organ. But because immune cells originate in the bone marrow, if they could receive a marrow transplant from the same donor, Negrin says patients could—in theory—go off immunosuppressive drugs.
Menopause is weird. If you’re a human woman, you’re born with every egg you’ll ever have in your ovaries. By the time you reach your fifties, every egg is gone. You stop getting your period. As your hormone levels change, you experience symptoms ranging from hot flashes to a loss of bone density. We don’t know much about it, because only humans and some whales experience it. There’s also a gap in research specifically for women’s health.
A slew of recent initiatives, from both the public and private sectors, are trying to change this. Last year, First Lady Jill Biden launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health to help close the research gap on conditions like menopause. Also, if you own an Apple Watch, you can opt in to contribute your data to the Apple Women’s Health Study, designed to advance the understanding of menstrual cycles.
Yesterday, smart-ring manufacturer Oura announced its first Perimenopause Report, which aggregates long-term data from 100,000 de-identified Oura ring wearers to help understand how perimenopause and menopause might affect your day-to-day life.
Coming of Age
Photograph: Adrienne So
The term “perimenopause” refers to the years leading up to menopause, which is when your period ends; some call it “second puberty,” because the range of physical symptoms is so wide. It usually lasts around four years, but for some women, it can last up to 14 years. It is mind-boggling to think that 50 percent of the human population experiences more than a decade’s worth of sleep disturbances from night sweats, memory problems, or weight gain (or loss, it affects everyone differently).
As Oura reports in its data, only 28 percent of women know what’s going to happen during perimenopause, which is a huge information gap when you consider that every middle-schooler takes a health class to prepare for what happens with their period. The first step is even recognizing that it’s happening. To that end, Oura recently added 17 new tags like hot flashes, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and spotting, so its users can begin noticing trends across their own timelines.
One of the most significant findings in Oura’s report is that sleep is hugely affected during peri- and post-menopause. Hot flashes do increase dramatically during perimenopause and early postmenopause. A hot flash can last anywhere from thirty seconds to 10 minutes, and 69 percent of hot flashes are associated with waking up during the night. As anyone who has cared for a baby can attest, repeated wake-ups during the night can affect how you function the next day.
Acne, bloating, and migraines are some of the most common symptoms reported by women in Oura’s perimenopausal age range. Most concerning for me, perimenopausal women report a 20 to 30 percent decline in heart rate variability. A high HRV means that your nervous system is responsive and resilient; you can cope with changing situations, handle a lot of physical activity, and manage stress. Lower HRV is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Community Insights
Even once you know you’re experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, it can be a little difficult to know what to do about it. Menopausal hormone therapy is a common, if somewhat controversial, option. But large-scale solutions—like an employer accommodating health conditions—are a little out of our control. Still, if you notice your sleep quality and HRV are decreasing as you enter perimenopause, reducing the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume or increasing regular cardio activity can help.
As both public and private organizations learn to harness the power of smart rings and other fitness wearables, we can begin to shed some light on this uniquely human condition. It’s not just your imagination—you don’t have to figure out a way to power through on your own.
In a long-sought move, the US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday formally began the process of abandoning oral doses of a common over-the-counter decongestant that the agency concluded last year is not effective at relieving stuffy noses.
Specifically, the FDA issued a proposed order to remove oral phenylephrine from the list of drugs that drugmakers can include in over-the-counter products—also known as the OTC monograph. Once removed, drugmakers will no longer be able to include phenylephrine in products for the temporary relief of nasal congestion.
“It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective,” Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. “Based on our review of available data and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant.”
For now, the order is just a proposal. The FDA will open up a public comment period, and if no comments can sway the FDA’s previous conclusion that the drug is useless, the agency will make the order final. Drugmakers will get a grace period to reformulate their products.
Reviewed Reviews
The slow-moving abandonment of phenylephrine is years in the making. The decongestant was originally approved by the FDA in 1976, but it came to prominence after the “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005” came into effect, and pseudoephedrine—the main component of Sudafed—moved behind the pharmacy counter to keep it from being used to make methamphetamine. With pseudoephedrine out of easy reach at drugstores, phenylephrine became the leading over-the-counter decongestant. And researchers had questions.
In 2007, an FDA panel reevaluated the drug, which supposedly works by shrinking blood vessels in the nasal passage, opening up the airway. While the panel upheld the drug’s approval, it concluded that more studies were needed for a full assessment. After that, three large, carefully designed studies were conducted—two by Merck for the treatment of seasonal allergies and one by Johnson & Johnson for the treatment of the common cold. All three found no significant difference between phenylephrine and a placebo.
Last year, the FDA reevaluated the drug again, taking into consideration the new studies and taking a deeper look at the 14 studies from the 1950s to 1970s that earned phenylephrine its initial approval. The FDA noted that those 14 studies assessed congestion using a dubious measure of nasal airway resistance that has since been abandoned. But even with the shoddy measurement, the studies provided mixed efficacy results. And the overall finding of efficacy hinged on only two of the studies, which were conducted at the same lab.
Too Good to Be Real
No other lab was ever able to replicate the positive results from those two studies. And when FDA scientists carefully looked through the data, they found evidence that some of the numbers could have been fudged and that the results were “too good to be real.”
As a final nail in phenylephrine’s coffin, modern studies suggest that when phenylephrine is taken orally, it’s highly metabolized in the gut, leaving less than 1 percent of the consumed dose as active in the body. The finding explains why oral doses don’t cause the constriction of blood vessels throughout the body that could lead to an uptick in blood pressure—a side effect sometimes seen with pseudoephedrine. While researchers initially thought the lack of blood pressure increases was a positive finding, in retrospect, it was a hint that the drug wasn’t working.
Despite the seemingly damning evidence, the industry group representing makers of phenylephrine-containing products—the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)—still disputed the FDA’s move.
“CHPA is disappointed in FDA’s proposal to reverse its long-established view of oral PE [phenylephrine],” CHPA CEO Scott Melville said in a statement Thursday. The CHPA maintains its position on the drug’s efficacy. “As science and methods advance, new data should be considered in the context of the full weight of available evidence, not as a complete replacement of the previous body of evidence—especially when considering an ingredient as safely and widely used as PE. CHPA will review the Proposed Order and submit comments accordingly,” Melville said.
Whether you’ve been using yoga mats for years or are just learning your first downward dog, the right gear can enhance your yoga practice and support your body.
Finding the best yoga essentials starts with what matters to you and your practice. Start by asking yourself some key questions. What style of yoga do you enjoy? Are you more into restorative stretching or intense Ashtanga flows? Will you be practicing at home or commuting to a studio? How important is sustainability to you? This guide covers the mats, props, and accessories that can transform your experience on the mat, wherever it might take you.
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Table of Contents
You’ll Need a Yoga Mat
Material matters. Most yoga mats are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), natural rubber, or cork. If you’re after affordability and grip, PVC mats are a tried-and-true option, but they’re not biodegradable and not the most environmentally friendly. Natural rubber, on the other hand, is a sustainable choice with good traction, but steer clear if you have a latex allergy. TPE mats are a bit of a compromise. They’re a hybrid of plastic and rubber polymers, making them lighter than rubber but more flexible than PVC. Cork mats are another natural choice; they’re antimicrobial, eco-conscious, and actually have a grip that improves with sweat. However, they tend to be pricier, heavier, and require extra care to maintain their quality.
Consider thickness and texture. Different practices will benefit from different thicknesses, but it is also a matter of personal preference. Think about what feels best under your feet, knees, and wrists. Thinner mats keep you closer to the ground, which can increase stability during standing or balanced poses. They’re also naturally lighter and easier to transport. Thicker mats are brilliant for restorative poses and for yogis with sensitive joints. Also, consider the surface texture: If you sweat a lot, you’ll most likely prefer a sticky mat that can help you stay grounded.
Match your mat to your flow. What type of yoga do you practice? If you practice many flows, you may be looking for a more well-rounded mat. If you’re taking your mat outdoors or doubling it up for pilates, durability is important. You may also want a mat that can endure footwear.
How often do you practice? If you’re on the mat daily, consider investing in a high-quality option that can stand up to wear and tear. For occasional sessions or beginners, there are more budget-friendly choices that still offer decent comfort and stability.
For more guidance on yoga mats, check out our guide to the Best Yoga Mats Tried and Tested by Experts.
Lululemon the Mat.
Photograph: Lululemon
If you want a well-rounded mat, this Lululemon mat is one to consider. Yes, it’s pricey, but the attention to detail makes it worth the splurge. One standout feature is the antimicrobial additive, which helps fend off mold and mildew. This is great for those who don’t always remember to air out their mats (guilty). It’s also reversible, giving you the option to flip between a smooth polyurethane surface for sweaty sessions and a cushioned rubbery side for slower flows. The 5 millimeter thickness adds just the right amount of padding for your knees during restorative poses.
Note: Since it’s made with a blend of polyurethane, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber, it’s not a good fit for anyone with latex allergies. Also, while the smooth surface feels great, it’s prone to scuffing, so avoid shoes on the mat.
This is my go-to mat for indoor practices, and it has traveled with me everywhere, from Boston winters to Chicago summers. I’m a big fan of this brand made from sustainable rubber with no PVC or synthetic materials and in compliance with US environmental, labor, and consumer protection laws. (Jade also plants a tree for every mat sold.) The grip is stellar, but so is its ability to pick up lint, pet hair, and dust, so you’ll have to wipe it down after every use. It also has a rubbery smell at first, which fades over time but never fully disappears. Weighing just over 3 pounds, it’s super portable, though I wouldn’t recommend it for hot yoga or outdoor practices. Prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight will dry out and damage the rubber, so don’t leave it baking in your car either.
My very first mat, and honestly the best for anyone just starting out or on a budget. It’s lightweight (under 3 pounds), so I could easily tote it to the park or my neighborhood studio. I also used this mat for floor workouts during the quarantine, and because of the affordable price I didn’t feel bad about using shoes. It’s also latex-free, a great option for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies. That said, you’re not getting the most durable mat. My cat managed to poke holes in it during one of her kneading sessions, but at $25, you can’t expect it to be invincible.
Photograph: Manduka
When it comes to heated practices, the Manduka PROlite is my favorite. The mat is designed to stay put, thanks to its no-slip dot pattern, and it has a closed-cell surface that keeps sweat and moisture from seeping in. Unlike the open-cell construction of the Lululemon and Jade mats, this one doesn’t absorb as much sweat, so it’ll hold up longer. It’s also free of phthalates and latex.
How to Clean Your Yoga Mat
First off, check your mat’s care instructions. Yoga mats aren’t all made from the same materials, so the cleaning process isn’t a one-size-fits-all. In general, make it a habit to wipe down your mat after every practice. Use a gentle mat cleaner and a soft towel, spraying the solution directly onto the towel (never on the mat) to avoid any spotting. Opt for sprays with natural antimicrobial properties (like essential oils); they smell great, too.
About once a month, give open-cell mats a deep clean by soaking them in warm water mixed with a gentle dish soap. After a few minutes, rinse thoroughly and let the mat air dry. If you have a closed-cell mat, skip the full submersion; use a soapy rag to wipe it down instead, and then let it air dry.
I can’t stress this enough—always let your mat dry completely before you roll it up. Rolling up a damp mat is the fastest way to invite mildew and funky odors. Nobody wants that.
Photograph: Liforme
How to Dispose of Your Yoga Mat
When your yoga mat eventually bites the dust, there are a few things to consider before tossing it—unless you have a biodegradable mat, which you can send to the landfill without the guilt. Most mats, though, are crafted from materials like PVC and TPE, which are slow to break down. Some brands, like Jade Yoga, have recycling programs that will take these mats off your hands. You can also reach out to your local recycling center to confirm if they accept your mat.
If you can’t recycle it, repurpose it. Many animal shelters will welcome old mats to line kennels and crates, as long as they’re clean. Just make sure you call ahead to confirm. You can also reuse your mat for outdoor excursions. Use it as padding under your sleeping bag for added insulation while camping. Stash it in your car for impromptu picnics at the park, or use it to stop groceries from sliding around. If you surf, place it between your surfboard and car to prevent dings. The opportunities are endless, really.
Yoga Towels
Photograph: Amazon
If you’re hitting heated classes as often as I do (three to four times a week), a single yoga mat towel won’t cut it. This affordable microfiber set includes a mat and hand towel, and they’ve become staples in my towel rotation. I love the quality for the price and the mat towel’s corner pockets; it’s a simple feature that makes a huge difference. It stays put even when I’m shifting through lunges and balance poses, so I don’t have to constantly adjust my towel mid-flow. For under $25, this is a solid purchase for anyone who practices regularly.
This is a great towel for hot yoga, pilates, and even weight-lifting sessions. Unlike most hand towels, it’s soft enough on my skin that I don’t feel that scratchy feeling while wiping my face. It’s quick-drying, too, so you’re not lugging around a soggy towel by the end of the session. My only wish is that it was a slightly larger size.
Photograph: Manduka
The Yogitoes Yoga Mat Towel is a splurge, but it lives up to its reputation. Made from recycled plastic bottles and equipped with silicone nubs on the underside, it keeps you grounded even when your hands and feet start to fall asleep. The unique designs are what you’re really paying for, though, with options ranging from sunset landscapes to animal prints. Choose wisely. Each print adds a certain energy to your practice, and you’ll want a vibe that matches your flow.
Made from polyester microfiber, this Jade towel checks off all the basics. It’s super absorbent, quick-drying, and grippy enough for those more intense flows or even HIIT workouts. Plus, Jade partners with the Water Project. meaning that each towel sold helps provide a day of drinking water to someone in need.
Bags and Slings
Photograph: Beis
The Beis Sport Carryall is fabulously functional. It’s a total multitasker, with space for your yoga gear, work supplies, and other essentials. There’s a padded laptop sleeve (for up to 15 inches, a water bottle slot, a slit for your yoga mat, and many other extras. I especially love the added key leash and front pockets, so I’m not constantly digging around for my smaller items. It feels stylish enough to carry throughout the day, even after your practice.
If you’re after a no-frills carrier, the Manduka Commuter Mat Carrier fits most (if not all) yoga mats. The padded shoulder strap (made from 100 percent natural cotton) makes it comfortable to carry wherever you’re headed, and I very much appreciate the silent gravity cinch closure.
Photograph: Alo Yoga
I like the Alo Yoga Mat for those long hauls to the studio. The adjustable strap is plush, and the carabiner hook and top handle are nice touches. There are three zippered pockets, one for your mat and two more for your keys, wallet, phone, etc. The mesh compartments mean you’re not fumbling for your stuff. Maybe that’s just me?
Jade Yoga’s Recycled Sari Yoga Mat Bat is not only beautiful—each one is handmade with recycled cotton from saris by Local Women’s Handicraft (LWH) in Nepal. There are three compartments for your mat, water bottle, and the rest of your essentials. The main pocket’s long zipper makes it easy to slide your mat in and out when you’re rushing out the door, and the 55-inch is adjustable to fit all body types.
Blocks, Straps, and Props
Photograph: Amazon
If you’re buying only one prop, I highly recommend yoga blocks. At least two will help you maintain balance and practice proper alignment through flows. This Manduka Lean Cork Yoga set is sustainably sourced from renewable cork oak trees and offer top-tier grip for those with sweaty palms. The slimmer width is also ideal for people with smaller frames, on-the-go yogis, or for anyone looking for an extra challenge during balancing asanas.
Two yoga blocks let you set yourself up for success with excellent support in practicing and holding tricky balance postures. They encourage you to practice proper alignment in a variety of moves and stretches, too. With its super-solid construction, slimmer width, and textured surface for easy grip, the Lean Cork Block set improves balance and alignment for an enhanced practice. The set is also sustainably sourced from renewable cork oak trees with zero toxic chemicals.
The Manduka Recycled Wool Blanket isn’t just for Savasana. Fold or roll up for extra support during poses. You can also fold it into a makeshift cushion or wrap it around your body for meditation. It’s soft and stretch-resistant; just make sure to dry-clean only to avoid premature wear.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, this bundle also includes a yoga strap. Yoga straps are great for deepening stretches and improving flexibility.
Whether you’re easing into a backbend or looking to prop up your knees during Svasana for increased blood flow, yoga bolsters offer the proper support to relax. Round bolsters like this one are especially helpful for chest openers, side stretches, and deeper arches without strain. If Sukhasana (sitting cross-legged) or hero’s pose feels tough on your hips, you can place a bolster between your legs for comfort.
Reusable Water Bottles
We’ve spotlighted a few choices below, but you can find more recommendations in our Best Reusable Water Bottles guide.
Photograph: Dick’s Sporting Goods
The Hydro Flask has built a rep with outdoorsy folks, probably because it’s nearly indestructible. This bottle is perfect for yogis who like to take their practice outside; the durability is unmatched, and it keeps drinks cold for hours. It’s a must for someone looking for a bottle that can handle all the bumps and tumbles of an active lifestyle.
Photograph: Amazon
If plastic is more your vibe, we love the latest Nalgene. Made from BPA-free Tritan and half recycled plastic, it’s a classic with a modern upgrade. Tech director Martin Cizmar appreciates the screw-top lid, the measurement lines, and the wide mouth for easy cleaning.
Photograph: Owala
The hype is real with Owala FreeSip (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s insulated, perfect for hot days or hot yoga. What really sets it apart, though, is the dual-function lid: You can either sip through the built-in straw or chug from the spout. Switch up how you drink with your flow (I’m totally kidding).
Other Helpful Gadgets
Photograph: Amazon
Manduka’s lavender-scented refresh spray will have your mat smelling zen. It’s made with essential oils and is pet-friendly. If you’re not a fan of lavender, the brand offers ginger grass and lemongrass fragrances.
Wearing socks during practice is a personal choice. I sometimes prefer being barefoot, but when tackling balancing asanas, I do appreciate the extra stability. Bombas socks excel at maintaining their grip, even on a sweaty mat, which is a definite bonus.
Photograph: Amazon
You obviously don’t need a meditation cushion, but it transforms your practice. The Zafu helps alleviate knee strain, reduce ankle pressure, and improve spinal alignment—making it easier to settle into stillness. Realistically, you could grab any pillow, but if you’re looking to elevate your yoga space, this cushion is a thoughtful addition.
Photograph: Quiet Mind
I have been a proud owner of the Quiet Mind Weighted Pillow for over a year, and I can’t remember my life without it. My daily companion, I’ll place it on my lap when I’m meditating for comfort. It also weighs me down, helping me focus during those quiet moment when the scattered thoughts start to creep in. I don’t have a weighted blanket, but I’ll vouch for this pillow any day.
The Alo Yoga Bend It Yoga Wheel makes stretching feel more accessible. Use it for those tricky backbends and inversions. Roll your spine over it to open up your body, relieve tension, and enhance flexibility in your shoulders and hip flexors. For any beginners hesitant about advanced poses, think of this as training wheel. It also doubles as a prop for legs-up inversions.
When the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, it ended the constitutional right to have an abortion and returned the ability to regulate the procedure to the states. Now, amid a heated presidential election that resulted in a win for Donald Trump, a handful of states have voted to enshrine reproductive rights into their state constitutions.
On Tuesday, Americans in 10 states voted on ballot initiatives to protect or expand abortion access. Seven of those states successfully passed protective measures, underscoring the widespread unpopularity of restrictive abortion policies.
Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New York passed referendums upholding abortion rights, while measures to restore or expand access failed in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Abortion is already legal until viability in Maryland, Montana, and New York, and throughout pregnancy in Colorado with no restrictions, so the passage of these measures will not change access to abortion in those states.
Nevada currently allows abortions through 24 weeks, but the ballot initiative passed on Tuesday would extend that until fetal viability. Voters will have to approve the measure again in 2026 in order to formally amend the state’s constitution.
Arizona and Missouri were two of the many states that moved to restrict abortion access after the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Arizona banned abortion after 15 weeks of gestation, but that law will now be unconstitutional under the newly passed amendment. In Missouri, a trigger law banned abortions at all points of pregnancy, except to save the life of the pregnant person. The law, one of the strictest abortion bans in the county, made no exceptions for rape or incest. But on Tuesday, voters backed an amendment that would end that ban and amend the Missouri constitution to protect abortion access.
In Florida, an amendment that would have prohibited laws restricting abortion gained 57 percent of the vote, falling short of the 60 percent threshold it needed to pass. The state currently bans abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, and enforces other abortion restrictions.
Meanwhile, Nebraska voters weighed competing ballot measures on abortion rights, ultimately passing one that upholds an abortion ban after the 12th week of pregnancy. Voters in South Dakota rejected a proposal to protect abortion rights, preserving a near-total ban there.
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