What Is A Yoga Mat?
A yoga mat is a small rectangle of material that can provide a surface upon which to practice yoga. Yoga mats can come in a range of different styles, varying not only in color, but in thickness, texture and the material from which they are made. Most people use a yoga mat when they are practicing yoga and they can also be used with other forms of exercise and meditation.
Why We Need Yoga Mats
Yoga mats are designed to provide the perfect surface on which to perform yoga. They need to provide sufficient grip while also ensuring that there is plenty of padding. The surface needs to offer stability, traction and cushioning.
Some people choose not to use a yoga mat and it is possible to exercise without one, as long as you have a suitable surface on which to do so. If you are exercising at home on a carpet or if you are practicing yoga on a slippery or hard floor then you will probably want to use a mat to ensure that you are as comfortable and stable as possible.
Before yoga mats were readily available, it was often difficult for people to find a suitable surface on which to exercise, particularly if they wanted to practice yoga at home. A yoga mat offers both the protection of a padded surface that can help to prevent any bumps and bruises and a well gripped surface that can help the user to hold their poses without risk of slipping.
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Types of Yoga Mats
Yoga mats can be divided into Ashtanga mats and those that are intended for more general use. Ashtanga mats are ideal for Ashtanga and Bikram yoga or other forms of exercise that are likely to lead to a lot of perspiration. As moisture build up, the traction provided by the mat will increase. These mats are typically made from tightly woven cotton or jute. They provide additional padding that is ideal for seated postures and they also provide excellent stability for standing postures.
The majority of yoga mats are designed to be universal, so they can be used for any type of yoga or for other similar types of exercise. The surface is usually sticky and textured, producing a soft, comfortable surface on which to exercise. They are generally thicker than Ashtanga mats and they are made from sticky materials such as PVC or rubber rather than cotton.
Travel mats are also available that are designed to be easy to transport, so they are typically small and they roll up to be very compact.
Choosing a Good Yoga Mat
A good mat should be weighty enough to stay in place while you are using it. It should offer you plenty of grip on its upper surface as well as gripping the floor underneath.
The material from which the mat has been made will determine its texture, stickiness, sponginess and durability. PVC, rubber and thermal plastic elastomer mats are sticky and have plenty of "give" than any yoga mat material. Cotton and jute provide grip through texture rather than stickiness, and they are firmer and less spongy.
A thicker mat will offer more cushioning and padding for seated poses, while a thinner one will offer more stability for standing poses and take up less room for transport and storage. Yoga mats usually range between 1/16 and 1/4 inch thick.
A bumpier texture can provide physical barriers to slipping, but a smoother mat can be more comfortable and texture is not always necessary on a sticky mat.
Yoga mats can come in all sorts of colors and patterns. It is even possible to find personalized mats or mats onto which useful instructions have been printed.
It can be sensible to choose a yoga mat that comes with a bag or strap for storage and transport. Some people also like to buy extra cushions out of similar padded material when they are buying their yoga mat. These cushions can assist with holding difficult poses.
Pros and Cons
The stability, grip and cushioning provided by a yoga mat can enable people to perform better and to enjoy their yoga more, but there are also some negative factors to consider when choosing a yoga mat.
Yoga mats can carry germs, so it is important to keep them clean. Mats that have been treated with antimicrobial substances are available that can help prevent germs from accumulating. The likelihood that used yoga mats will carry germs is an important reason in favor of buying your own yoga mat if you will be attending a public gym or class. You can take care of your own mat and keep it clean, rather than having to share a mat or floor space that has been used by other people.
Another factor that you may want to consider when you are choosing your yoga mat is the environmental impact of the material from which it has been made. Many yoga mats are made using PVC, which can harm the environment both during its manufacture and its disposal. Natural materials such as jute and rubber are far more environmentally friendly, as are the new mats that are made from thermal plastic elastomer, which can be recycled once they are worn out.
Some people prefer not to use a yoga mat at all when they are exercising because they feel that the mat limits them. However, it is best to use a yoga mat on most surfaces, even if you need to place multiple mats alongside one another. If a suitable surface that offers plenty of traction and stability is available, then it is possible to enjoy yoga without any mat, but in most cases a mat can help to do yoga poses easier and more comfortable.
References:
ABG-of-yoga.com: Yoga and Meditation Mats- Types http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yoga-props/yoga-mat.asp
Gaiam Life: How to Choose the Right Yoga Mat http://life.gaiam.com/article/how-choose-right-yoga-mat
Wall Street Journal: Looking for a Soft Spot to "Om" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123501322951319501.html#articleTabs%3Darticle
Yoga Journal: Mat Matters http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1615
Yoga Journal: Sticky Business http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/161