Good Yoga Mats

Calvin Fletcher — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:24:07 +0000

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When the time comes to choose a yoga mat, your options are numerous. You will be able to choose between some that are made from natural materials and others that are synthetic, and you can select the color and size that you like most. But, how do you determine which one is right for you?

Is natural or synthetic better?

There are two main types of yoga mats manufactured from natural materials. One type is made from completely natural fibers such as cotton. These type of mats work especially well if you are in a power yoga class such as ashtanga yoga, in which you will need to move rapidly from one pose to another. If you get really hot and sweaty, natural materials are going to feel more comfortable. If the mat is going on a hardwood floor, it should have a non-slip surface on the underside.

Some mats are also made out of rubber. And, rubber is definitely a natural material. Rubber mats are great because they easily grip on the floor, but beware of using them if your hands and feet are sweaty because they might be slippery.

The most popular form of yoga mat today is the sticky yoga mat which is made from synthetic materials. Because of the way they are designed, these mats allow good grip and cushioning for your extremities while they still have a good grip on the floor. Sticky yoga mats give good security for balances and stretch poses. They are also very lightweight and you can carry them around with ease.

Size

Yoga mats come in various sizes but you will want to be sure that it is longer than your height so that you can lie stretched out with both your head and heels on the mat. 6 ft mats are usually long enough for women, but men might need to look for even longer ones.

You should choose a width that will make you feel comfortable depending on the type of poses you will use it for. Usually if the mat is 1.5 times the width of your shoulders, that is fine. Don’t forget that a wide mat usually rolls much taller, and it is not as easy to carry around.

Depending on whether your type of yoga includes a lot of breathing and relaxing exercises, you might need a thicker mat for comfort.

What color is best?

The color may not seem important but it is! It should be of a color you particularly like, and one that helps you relax and feel aligned while you practice. Bold and bright colors might not be the best choice. Blue and green are the colors that work best with most. And it is always a good idea to choose a mat that matches the color of the room. You need to avoid a color clash that might affect your mood.

Some yoga mats have a grid pattern printed onto them. The grid is specifically designed to help you achieve the right position during poses, by giving you a precise spot to place your hands and feet.

Taking care of your yoga mat.

A yoga mat should be easy to clean and care for. Remember that your mat is used on the floor and often in public spaces, so for hygiene you should wash it regularly. You can wash most mats in a washing machine, but they should not go through a spin cycle or even tumble dry. Others you can simply wipe down with a mild antiseptic household cleaning product. After cleaning the mat, leave it out to dry thoroughly. The mats should never be stored when they are wet.