Guide To Choosing A Yoga Mat

Yoga Mat Buying Tips

In the ancient times, yogis roamed around India and lived in caves.  During those times, yoga practice, which primarily involved training the body and mind in order to reach enlightenment only required them one thing – their self.

There were no yoga mats, no blocks or bolsters and other fancy trappings we have today. However, the yogis were known to use tiger skin or deer skin as their makeshift mats.

In the modern times, you can easily find a myriad of options when it comes to accessories for your yoga practice. In fact, the simple task of buying yoga mats can turn out to be a bit confusing as there are different varieties to choose from.

Why Buy Yoga Mats?

While yoga practice basically promotes going back to basics and take on a minimalist approach, investing in a good quality yoga mat along with other recommended props actually makes a lot of sense in order to protect the body from potential injuries. This is especially important when practicing yoga for beginners.

Yoga mats are specifically designed to provide cushion between the body and the hard floor surface. It also helps establish your personal space when attending yoga classes. The sight of a rolled up yoga mat can also serve as a good reminder to renew our commitment to practice yoga regularly. However, as mentioned, there are so many options to choose from when it comes to buying yoga mats. Read on and find out the features you will want to consider when choosing one.

1. Eco-Friendly

Typically yoga mats are constructed with PVC and/or latex.  However, among the common issues with regular yoga mats is that many yoga practitioners suffer from latex allergies. There is also the fact that PVC has been closely linked to diseases ranging from asthma to cancer.

Since yoga practice involves close contact with the yoga mat, it is highly recommended to buy yoga mats that are made with sustainably harvested rubber.

2. Weight and Thickness

You should also inspect and take into consideration the weight and thickness of your yoga mat. This is especially important if you constantly travel and will need to carry around your mat. Make sure not to buy overly thin mats as it will not provide you adequate cushion.

3. Style Of Yoga

When buying yoga mats, you should also take into account your style of yoga practice . For instance, you will need a different mat when you practice Bikram yoga in comparison to a gentle, restorative yoga. There are also mats that feature different levels of traction and some are textured to enhance grip. With this in mind, if you are not quite sure what yoga mat to buy for your specific practice, it is generally best to ask your yoga instructor for advice.

4. Sheepskin Rugs

There are also certain types of yoga that do not require you to buy a mat but instead of sheepskin rug, just like in the practice of Kundalini yoga. These are rugs that are popularly used to aid yoga meditation as well as provide cushion for the ankles and knees.

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