Long acclaimed for its positive effects on the mind and body, yoga helps build strength and flexibility, helps relieve stress and improves overall physical and mental health.
Compared to other fitness activities, yoga requires minimal equipment to get started. While most studios offer everything a beginner needs, investing in your own personal mat, yoga-specific clothing and a few other items can make your yoga experience more enjoyable.
Wherever you practice, a proper yoga mat is essential. Working on carpets, wet towels or overly soft gym mats can lead to injury and frustration. Most studios and gyms offer mats for public use, but it may be more hygienic to have your own.
While there are many options, the vast majority of mats are suitable for any style of yoga. Often, your choice will come down to personal preference. That said, knowing the differences will help you choose the right mat for your individual needs.
Yoga Mat
Yoga mats include slim and compact travel models weighing just 2 lbs.
If you're not sure where to start, choose a mat that is approximately 1/8 in. thick (or 3.175 mm), a very standard thickness. These mats are ideal for those who perform powerful, fluid exercises. They allow firm contact with the floor, which helps maintain stability in a variety of postures.
Thinner yoga mats can help add stability to yoga styles with more active poses or balanced, focused poses. Look for mats with a textured surface to maintain better grip when poses become more strenuous.
Thicker yoga mats Provide extra cushioning and are best suited to more therapeutic practices. For example, if you prefer restorative yoga, a type of yoga with fewer asanas but longer holds, you may prefer a softer, more padded mat. Thicker yoga mats are also better for forearms and kneeling poses and for yogis with soft knees or aching joints. However, in standing poses they may be more difficult to balance.
If your yoga plans include air travel, look for a travel mat that is designed for portability. Travel mats are very thin and light and smaller than traditional mats, so they are easy to carry around. Keep in mind that some cushioning is sacrificed by using a travel mat.
When choosing a material for your yoga mat, you can choose anything from cheap PVC to eco-friendly natural rubber. The material you choose will affect the price, weight, grip and durability of your mat. Generally, thicker mats last longer than thinner mats. That said, the durability of a mat is also related to the material from which it is manufactured.
PVC is a plastic-based material that is very durable, easy to clean and provides excellent floor grip. PVC is latex-free, which is a benefit for those with latex allergies.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is a man-made mixture, usually made from plastic and rubber polymers. tpe mats may be more environmentally friendly than PVC and some are fully recyclable.
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