- Why is it necessary?
- Types
- Selection criteria
- Differences from fitness mat
- Product range
- Hand Made
- Care rules
- Alternatives
For yoga practitioners, a rug is not just an accessory that provides comfort and safety during the performance of asanas. From a psychological point of view, this is your personal space and a faithful companion for every day. Ancient ascetics used tiger skins for these purposes. Today, there is no need to kill animals for this – just study the wide range of the modern market.
Why is it needed?
Some believe that personal yoga mats are not a mandatory attribute at all. But Eastern meditation gurus insist that it is necessary. And that’s why:
- is a gasket for the body, which absorbs not only sweat, but also human energy – using those that are issued in yoga centers, you can gain a lot of unnecessary and dirty things
- is a means of self-discipline and motivation for regular classes
- is your personal tag, which will distinguish you from others in group classes, when traveling, and maybe even at seminars and festivals, if you later continue to practice yoga professionally
- alternative options (blankets, bedspreads, etc.) do not have special parameters for comfortable classes and can lead to injuries for beginners when performing certain asanas
Types
On sale you can find a wide range of yoga mats, differing in material, purpose, weight, dimensions and colors. Depending on these parameters, the following types are distinguished.
By purpose
There are rugs for beginners and professionals. The latter have increased strength, a very sticky surface, high wear resistance, and cost more ($50-140). Most often they are made of rubber with woven jute fiber. The most popular models: Revolution ($90), Varuna Pro ($115), Yoga Club ($100), Planet Sadhana Lite ($90).
By material
- Latex
The material is environmentally friendly – natural rubber. They are distinguished by their high price and considerable weight. Their plus is that they do not slip. The downside is that over time they wear out, so with regular classes they will have to be changed often
- Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
They are light and soft
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
One of the most popular because they are inexpensive and practically do not wear out. Models
- Cotton
Made from natural material. So that cotton mats do not slip, they are often made with a rubberized surface on one side. Models
- Cork
A cork layer is often applied on top of the rubber mat. This coating has excellent absorbent properties, so that sweat will not be an obstacle to active classes. Model
- Jute
Jute fiber is a semi-synthetic material that has good density. Models from it provide reliable adhesion to the floor. One of the best in this niche is the Samurai Mat by Bodhi (Samurai), it costs about $100.
A true yogi has a special relationship to the material of the mat. Those who have already imbued with the spirit of Eastern practice are mostly vegetarians and prefer to maintain the purity of not only their inner world, but also the environment. Therefore, the naturalness and environmental friendliness of the models are of great importance to them.
Selection criteria
In order to choose the right rug for yoga, pay attention to the following characteristics.
Dimensions
The optimal length of the rug is calculated using the following formula: add 10, or even 15 to the height of a person (in cm). The sales leaders are mats with a width of 60 cm and a length of 183 cm. For dynamic practices, it is recommended to choose a greater length – 220 cm. The larger these parameters, the wider the useful space, but this complicates transportation.
Some stores have cut-off canvases. That is, they will measure it exactly as much as you ask.
If you are not shy, you can right in the store do a couple of exercises on the rug to understand whether this is your size or not. The first is twine. The second is the pose of the “dog face down.”
Weight
On sale you can find rugs weighing from 250 g to 6 kg. For field trips, purchase lighter models, for home use – heavier ones. For example, for a girl weighing 60 kg, the optimal option is 1500 g. Men can choose something heavier.
Stickiness
Many yoga asanas involve taking a very unstable position. Beginners often fall, and here such a characteristic as stickiness is important – the degree of adhesion of the surface of the rug to the body and floor. If it is non-slip, there will be no problems: it will not gather into folds and waves, sliding on the smooth floor. It is comfortable to practice on it, the risk of injury is minimized. Synthetic mats most often have this characteristic. But manufacturers of natural products also found a way out: they make one of the sides rubberized. The only drawback is that they wear out quickly.
When buying a rug, spread it out on the floor in the store and try to move it. Will slide – pass by.
Absorbency
When performing complex asanas, you have to sweat a lot. The surface gets wet, which leads to slipping. If the rug is made of a material with a porous structure, it perfectly absorbs moisture and prevents such unpleasant moments. Recommended surface – latex or cotton.
Stretching
A high-quality mat should not be elastic and stretch in different directions. For this, many models are reinforced with lavsan fibers. They create an internal, durable frame.
Thickness
For beginners, a thick mat is necessary, because in the first classes they will have to fall a lot, and the body is not yet prepared for the hard surface of the floor. Therefore,
