Yoga is almost as old as civilised society, and its popularity has soared over the past decade, primarily for the incredible effects it has on the mind, body, strength, flexibility, and lifestyle. In our increasingly health and wellness oriented world, people are more inclined towards holistic fitness and Yoga is part of many a workout routine. From professional footballers to celebrities, Yoga day is everyday, and rightly so.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced yoga fanatic (or a “Yogi” if you prefer) you should prioritise getting the right equipment to practice yoga.
While many invest in yoga gear, instructors, retreats, and other yoga-related experiences, investing in a solid yoga mat is really important. A proper yoga mat gives you the right cushioning and support for executing those yoga positions without worrying about getting unhinged or thrown off balance.
There was a time when only PVC sticky yoga mats were available for yoga enthusiasts. But now, there is a trove of offerings that are available across online and offline markets.
When you buy a yoga mat, make sure it’s eco-friendly, packable, portable, convenient, and practical: just like yoga. You must consider colour and design aspects too, along with its texture, thickness, and composition before you buy.
Read on to learn why you need a yoga mat and how you can choose the right yoga mat for yourself.
Importance of a Yoga Mat
Practising yoga on just your floor is not recommended – it can do more harm than good. Using cheap alternatives to a yoga mat, like a towel, or a pillow, can be slippery and lead to injury.
Gyms recommend using good-quality yoga mats, and many provide them to members. However, since these mats are public property that is used by many: hygiene is quite questionable.
Thus, it is recommended to buy your own yoga mat, just like you do yoga for yourself. Try and get one that is portable and comes with a carry bag, especially if you like to do yoga when you travel. Buy a mat that suits your style, feels comfortable, and is suitably sized.
Types of Yoga Mats
Types of Yoga Mats Based on Material or Fabric
Sticky Yoga Mats
These are non-slippery yoga mats suitable for people who sweat a lot and for those who are learners and lack control while doing difficult yoga asanas. While PVC yoga mats are the most widely used, they aren’t recyclable, or disposable for that matter. PVC mats are plastic-based, and not eco-friendly.
Acupressure Yoga Mats
These yoga mats are exceptional tools for pain relief and muscle relaxation because of their acupressure points. When you do yoga on these mats, your body recovers side by side, and the increased blood flow leaves you feeling more energised than before. After your yoga session, you can wind down and do your breathing exercises with much more ease, before entering that post-yoga deep calm. You may find it challenging to switch to these mats initially, but with regular use, you’ll be comfortable in no time.
Despite their immense benefits, these mats are not recommended for people with blood clotting issues, epilepsy, heart disease, and other acute illnesses.
TPE – thermoplastic elastomer
This is a combination of plastic and rubber polymers that are recyclable and more environmentally friendly. However, compared to PVC, they can provide less traction and durability.
Cotton Yoga Mats
These are affordable ones that can easily be washed repeatedly. But you must be a pro at using them as they can be slippery if placed on a smooth surface.
Travel yoga mats
These are portable, lightweight, and great for packaging when needed, but are not recommended for everyday use.
Jute Yoga Mats
The most popular category a long time ago, now jute bags are preferred by those on a low budget.
Natural rubber yoga mats
Made using natural ingredients, these eco-friendly mats are also kind to human skin.
Types of Yoga Mats Based on Your Level
How perfect are you in your yoga practice? It is good to choose the right yoga mat according to your needs and level:
Beginner
If you have just started off with short and simple yoga sessions, and use your mat only 3-4 times a week, then you must choose a thick mat with a solid grip. You would start with basic yoga poses like Yin, Balasana, Shavasana, Tadasana, etc., that are more floor-touching, so you must consider the comfort of your joints and look for a thick yoga mat.
If you are working out at home, you don’t have to consider the thickness criteria, but if you carry your mat to the gym, then stick to a mat thickness of 5-8 mm for easy portability.
Intermediate
Now that you are at level one – practising yoga for a few months, you can get into yoga asanas like Surya Namaskar, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, etc. This means more sweat, and a better-quality yoga mat for you.
Choose one that absorbs sweat and can be used for hours. A 5 mm thickness mat is quite comfortable in this stage.
Advanced
You are a Yoga pro who has consistently been practising high-intensity asanas like Adho Mukha Vrksasana, dhanurasana, hanumanasana, pincha Mayurasana, etc. You need a yoga mat that can give you good stability and balance and that doesn’t slide.
Go for a minimum thickness of 1-5 mm, choose a mat with a solid grip, and consider options like a natural rubber/jute yoga mat.
Choosing The Right Size Of A Yoga Mat
The normal length ranges from 68 x 24 inches to 72 or 74 inches, depending on your needs. The perfect fit for anyone starting yoga is 172X61cm with 6mm thickness.
Sweat-absorbent
This is a critical parameter, as you don’t want to carry a putrid, unhygienic, and uncomfortable yoga mat everywhere. Go for one that absorbs sweat and can easily be washed.
Invest in Yoga Mat Sprays that come with a blend of essential oils that can be used on the mat for better meditation, enthusiasm, calmness, and emotional elevation.
Style And Design
Although this element has nothing to do with functionality, we all like things that catch our fancy, and sleek looking designer mats can set the mood and motivate you to do more strenuous asanas.
Go for softer hues and chi-friendly patterns that can elevate your senses and make you more enthusiastic about your yoga routine. Choose your patterns, designs, colours, and prints, according to your choice to inspire your practice.
Price
If you have just started off, then for a durable, thick, and reasonable option, you can always upgrade it when you go to the next level.
As you start practising more, you will need a more expensive option with attributes like better material, thickness, antimicrobial treatments, or exciting designs.
Conclusion
You can browse online and check out a plethora of yoga mat options available. Rely on ethical brands like Karma Living to get responsibly made yoga mats, and don’t forget to read the reviews, ratings, customer feedback, and testimonials before you make up your mind. You can check with yoga experts or trainers, if you want their advice before buying. It is quintessential to train on the perfect yoga mat to get the most out of your yoga practice.
Keep learning and Reading blogs on Pinay Kantutan.
