Yoga Mats
From LoveToKnow Yoga
Yoga mats, sometimes called sticky mats, are used during yoga to help avoid slipping, since yoga is most often done barefoot. The mats are also used to cushion elbows and knees during certain positions.
What are Yoga Mats?
Yoga mats are made from various materials, including latex, cotton, microfiber, and rubber, and are normally slip-proof. Some are eco-friendly; check the write-up on the mat if you’re interested. Certain types have straps built-in for easy carrying, but others require bags for travel.
They come in various thicknesses and lengths. Travel mats tend to roll up more easily and are often thinner than regular mats. The average thickness for a beginner, or for those that prefer thin mats, is around 3.2 mm, while a medium thickness is 4- to 5.5 mm, and a premium mat can be 6.2 or 6.3 mm. Standard size is 24 inches by 68 inches, but some are available in longer lengths, such as 72 or 74 inches.
What Should You Look For in a Mat?
There are three things that you need to consider when purchasing your yoga mat:
- Comfort: You need to decide how much thickness you prefer, and how long you want your mat to be. If you’re tall, you may require a longer mat. f you’re involved in more strenuous forms of yoga, you may want one with more cushioning.
- Materials: If you want your mat to be eco-friendly, check the materials. You also want to consider any allergies - if you can’t tolerate latex, then you want to make sure that the mat you choose is made of an alternate material, such as rubber.
- Ease of Cleaning: Yoga isn’t easy, and it isn’t unheard of to sweat during yoga, especially if you engage in Ashtanga yoga (also known as power yoga) or Bikram Method yoga. Many companies sell mat cleaning wipes, but if you prefer cotton mats, make sure that they are washer/dryer friendly.
Where Can You Buy Them?
Because of the well-deserved popularity of yoga, even stores like Target and Wal-Mart carry yoga mats now, but there are also several online shops that have a wide selection. One of these, Barefoot Yoga has reviews of different mats from users and carries all different brands and types, including Ultra Mats, Maha mats, Eco mats, and Prana mats. MatsMatsMats also carries a wide selection, including a pink one that helps fight breast cancer by donating a portion of the proceeds to a cancer research foundation.
How Much Do They Cost?
You can spend anywhere from $16 to $70 or more. The price difference depends on the materials the mat is made of, the brand name, the thickness and length, and the store. Doing comparison shopping, especially on high-end mats, is a worthwhile endeavor as you can save $5 to $10 easily by finding sales.
Do You Need One?
It depends on how often and where you engage in yoga. Many studios have mats on hand, but others require participants to bring their own. If there’s any question, be sure to call and find out. If you’re planning to do yoga at home, which most studios recommend, then you will probably want to get a yoga mat, both for safety and comfort.
Yoga Mats vs. Yoga Rugs
Yoga rugs are most often made of cotton or other porous materials and are normally washable. They can be used by themselves or over yoga mats. They’re most often used by those who engage in Ashtanga yoga and Bikram yoga as both cause the participants to sweat more, and the cotton is absorbent and comfortable.
When buying a yoga mat, it’s important to think of your comfort, but it’s also important to think about how long you want the mat to be around. While some models may cost more, reviews tend to show that the more expensive the mat, the longer its life.
This page has been accessed 2,030 times. This page was last modified 13:25, 15 March 2007.
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