It’s getting close to that time of year. If you are like me, you have left your most important people the last to buy presents. And if they are yogi, well…

If, like me, you have left your most important people to the last (they are always so ‘hard’ to buy for, right?), you might be experiencing ‘high present alert’ as one of my favourite yogis terms it.

I want to buy a present for my yoga sefu (sefu is a master, someone who you have decided to follow come hell or high water). He is a tao yogi, which means he drinks loads of green tea not a great believer in water, sleeps on tatami mats which he takes everywhere, and has two sets of clothes, both exactly the same.

What on earth do you find as a gift for someone living this way. Should I buy? Should I recycle?  I’ve got nothing left to recycle, I am a dakini to others, and have rid myself of most unnecessary material possessions (except my coffee cup collection).

Could I create something? I envy those who are wise in the ‘womanly’ arts, but I can barely thread a needle. Forget crocheting a replica of the Eight Immortals.

Are you in the same boat as I am, trying to work out what to get for that yogi of your life?

In the spirit of aparigraha (not possessing), I suggest you stay away from the marketing buzz of the global yoga apparel industry – avoid buying that mat, class cards or yoga joke t-shirt. Instead, I suggest you ask yourself – what does your yogi embody?

Options for Yogi Xmas presents

In the Tao way, it could be one of the five elements (persistent like wood, joyous like fire, strong as metal, as shapeshifting as water, as centred as the earth). Or perhaps the chakras. Do they channel bhaki (pure love for all), or are they more of the raja (the reader of wise books)?

In my search for the gifts that embody my favourite yogis, I found some that might suit the yogi you adore.  And they don’t cost a bomb, either.

• The Mindfulness Colouring In Book – colouring in reduces the fear response in our brain. The emotion of our water element, excessive fear undermines the health of the kidneys.  All that and they are a load of fun.
• Books – The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, The Prophet – Kahlil Gibran and finally, The Promise by Mark Whitwell.  Useful for the yoga who likes to a find the deeper meaning in life, appealing to our wood element.
• Palo santo holy wood – great for clearing energy in house that might be full of noise, some of it might be fiery arguments. For the post family Xmas dinner perhaps?
• Tingsha chimes – those little handheld chimes are a great wake up call if you have to sleeper on your hands.
• Medicinal mushroom like Cordyceps or Chaga (my favourite) – the super adaptogen allowing our earth element to balance. Might want to pick up extra for your self as prep for the silly season. It usually comes in powder form.  Put it in your tea, and you won’t notice.

Gifts that keep on giving are specially loved by yogis.  Donate to an animal protection organisation –  like the Orangutan Project or Soi Dogs Thailand or World Animal Protection (like Community Aid Abroad for animals).   It just might help the universal human karma on the day of reckoning.

There are also some seriously good vegan chocolates.  Have a festive season, eat responsibly.

Finally. Don’t buy gift wrapping. Use recycled paper. Or Santa sacks which you can use again and again. And know any gift idea with heart will always be loved by your dear yogi.