How to choose a Yoga Mat

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How do you know which mat to use when practicing yoga? Believe it or not, but, there are as many different mats as there are styles of yoga. Knowing which mat works best with your body when you exercise can improve your posture and overall workout.

Most yoga mats are made from a light weight thin material with a sticky texture. The stickiness of the mat is to help stabilize your hands and other limbs during position movements. They come in different thicknesses too. The older mats are very thin and do not offer much cushion and support like the newer ones. Choosing your mat depends on your personal tolerance to what little impact your body will go through while exercising.

In today’s eco-aware culture, many yoga mats are being produced out of eco-friendly materials such as rubber tree. These new “space age” materials make traveling with your mat an easy task. Most mats weight around 3 to 4 pounds and roll up into an easy-to-carry roll. The different densities of the mat provide different levels of support for your spine and joints. New technology has also made the slip-resistant mat that does not have the sticky feeling to it.

Beginners usually start with a thicker mat to help them balance. The denser mat makes movement requiring great balance achievable by letting the material form around the person’s body. The more advanced student is more likely to use a thinner mat because they have mastered the skill of balance and focus.

Most athletic stores offer many brands of yoga mats. Your best bet in choosing a mat is to simply try them out before you buy. Lay on it, move on it, and feel its texture. You will know which mat fits you by the way your body feels. Remember you are looking for a mat that will be comfortable. One of the goals of yoga is to be comfortable while exercising.