How to Find the Best Yoga Mat for Your Needs
December 12th, 2008 9:28 amPracticing yoga is an experience inand of itself, but to enhance this experience you should consider buying a yoga mat. A mat specifically designed for yoga not only provides your a comfortable resting point but also helps you define a special place reserved for your yoga practice. However, it’s important that you choose the right mat, select the best type and take good care of it for the long haul. This article will look into the many aspects of getting a yoga mat for your practice that will help you make the most out of your meditation.
There are several factors that you should consider when you’re buying a yoga mat. First of all, you need to make sure that the mat is long & wide enough to accommodate your whole body, so do check it’s dimensions. Also, since you will be trying different yoga poses, the mat needs to be comfortable for all the positions, which include sitting, standing or lying down. It’s important that the mat is non-slip, so that you can achieve correct balance and stability.
There are different types of mats for you to choose from, so buy one that will be easy to maintain and transport. For example, standard plastic yoga mats are the cheapest type of mats available and most of the newbies choose to opt for these. However, it isn’t a good idea if you intend to keep practicing yoga with this mat. Since it’s extremely thin when compared to other mats and provides very less cushioning. Apart from that, it contain chemicals which aren’t good for your health.
On the other hand, jute or cork yoga mats prove to be really environment friendly, but also have their own set of drawbacks. These mats are products from porous plants, and therefore tend to absorb sweat during use. This may result in a not so pleasant experience. Given that, the best type of yoga mats are definitely the ones made with rubber. These rubber yoga mats are inexpensive, sturdy and also environmentally friendly. They are at least better than exercising on any kind of harmful chemicals, and also don’t cause any kind of allergies.
One thing that you shouldn’t neglect is proper care of your mat. The most sensible way to keep your mat safe is to get a yoga mat bag. These bags are generally used for carrying the mat around, but also do the job of keeping it clean and protected. The yoga mat can be very easily rolled up or folded and put in the bag for efficient carrying and storing. You will find them handy especially when you are traveling. Yoga mats don’t require much of maintenance as such, apart from the regular cleaning/washing. They can be either hand washed or machine-washed. Get them dry-cleaned if you want to retain the colors. However, velvet yoga mats should only be dry-cleaned or hand washed with care. You can get a yoga mat for something around $25 to $45, depends on its design and fabric.
Yoga mats can really enhance your yoga experience and give you the much needed comfort and balance for your practice. Therefore it’s necessary that you choose the right mat, and care for it properly in order to give it a long life.