Searching for top yoga mat

Many who tried yoga are quite aware of the importance of having a decent yoga mat. It's not only an accessory that you carry to class to stand out from the crowd, it's also your best friend. The importance of a good yoga mat, particularly for newcomers is rarely revealed in class, but will become quite obvious as soon as you begin practicing.

On this page I will share my experience (and I have lots) to hopefully help some of you to save some time and money in seeking for a yoga mat.

Back in the days, all yoga mats were pretty much identical pieces of cheap PVC or fabric. There was zero variety. There was very little variety in what we could use for yoga mats. Stores didn't offer anything, people in the West didn't know much about yoga. Many of us used regular beach towels.

Sure, Indian yogis practice on bare floors and dirt, and don't need mats. But think about it - are you ready to commit your whole life to yoga and become a true yogi? If so, then if you want to stay traditional - don't get a mat. Otherwise, you want to enjoy your physical practice, and may need a good yoga mat. Feeling good after your class could make a huge impact on your decision to continue practicing or giving up completely.

The speed of your advancement depends largely on your confidence level which can be boosted by feeling properly supported and aligned at all times during practice.

It's hard to determined the level of support you need, if you are a beginner, so I usually don't recommend my students to practice without a mat. It's quite easy to overstretch or tip over during even moderately challenging poses if your feet are not supported.

If yoga mats didn't exist or were not provided, lots of people with knee problems would never even consider this practice. It's also not recommended for the elderly and those who have weight issues to attempt yoga without a thick mat under them.

I think it's pretty clear now, that yoga mats are important Next, we will try to discover what makes a good mat.

There aren't that many factors that need to be considered. After all, it's only a mat, not a car you are tyring to pick.

Your budget would be the starting point. How much do you love yoga? I'll tell you a little secret - the more you spend, the better your mat will be. It's that simple. You may stop reading now Higher priced mats are simply superior, speaking from experience. Inexpensive mats are usually made from inferior materials, which are generally toxic and smelly.

Yoga mats usually range from $10 all the way up to a $100 for a premium Manduka mat.

How advanced is your pratice and how skilled are you? Are you ready to purchase a Rolls-Royce before getting your learner's permit? Will you practice every day or once weekly? Consider these factors, and perhaps you may end up on deciding to use the equipment provided by your studio. Will you be washing your mat weekly and taking good care of it, are you ready for this?

It's important to consider the material. PVC, jute, rubber, foam, durafoam? What's your choice? Do you care about Earth, and do you realize that most cheap mats are very toxic once the start decomposing (which takes a very long time)? For obvious reasons, I suggest investing into an Earth-friendly material. Today's eco-friendly trend triggered a flood of "Green" products, including yoga mats:




Mats made of natural materials, such are natural rubber provide the best support and cushioning and are excellent in absorbing moisture. The downside is the weight.

Thickness is also important. Beginners will especially notice the difference between thin and thick mats. Thinner mats are lighter and less spongy, but they are geared towards more advanced practitioners. Thicker mats provide better support and less prone to slipping.

Try a pilates mat, they are designed for maximum thickness:

The dimensions of your mat are very individual. If you want a mat for home practice, get the biggest and widest you can pay for - you won't regret it, trust me. Keep in mind, though, that bigger mats (especially rubber ones) are super heavy and may not be suitable for travelling.

Once you know which mat you want, read user feedback (but keep in mind that it may not be 100% objective) on big sites, such as Amazon or NexTag. Also, check out dedicated yoga review sites such as Yoga Mat Reviews.

All the best on your journet. All of life is yoga.

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