By purchasing a sleek yoga mat for yourself, you’ve already taken the first step towards pretending you lead a healthy, active lifestyle. But are you ready to experience the countless benefits that being seen holding a yoga mat does for your body? Not only will you have a jumping-off point for anyone who wants to have a conversation, but you’ll automatically be instilled with the feeling that you’re better than most people.
Here are a few of our favourite public places to be seen reaping all of the benefits that come with holding a yoga mat.
A local coffee shop
Who has time to hold a hot cup of whatever sugary drink the rest of the population seems to be guzzling down large vats of these days? Not you, because your hands are full with your trusty new matted best friend. Make sure you ask the barista working if they have soy or lactose-free milk, pretend to contemplate their answer like it ever really mattered, and then neglect to order anything. You wouldn’t want to accidentally spill any of that latte art on your new mat.
On transit
The SkyTrain or bus is a perfect place to be seen holding a yoga mat because everyone is forced to see and think to themselves how active and self-motivated you must be — mostly because they have nowhere else to go and a very restricted field of view. To achieve the optimal level of self-righteousness, hold your yoga mat in a way that unnecessarily takes up the seat beside you as well.
In the lobby of a gym
A full-fledged membership to a gym can be expensive, but most gyms will let you hang around their lobby, not using any of the equipment or amenities, for free. You’ll enjoy a lot of the same benefits that people who want to be seen at the gym feel without the hefty price tag that comes with it. For added effect, try eating a small to-go sized yogurt while you’re loitering. Healthy people are always eating yogurt.
Outside of a fast food restaurant
In stark contrast to hanging around a gym lobby, lingering outside the entrance to a fast food restaurant is wildly satisfying and can help you be seen by even more people. Try holding the door for patrons as they enter/leave the building and make sure you mention how you’re burning twice the calories by holding a mat in one hand and a door handle in the other. Voila! Instant confidence boost.
