Importance of Yoga Mats and Tips to Choose

Yoga is all about bringing the body, mind and soul together through self-awareness and inner growth. It is not only important to have the right attitude towards yoga but also the right apparel and accessories. Talking about accessories, yoga mat plays a crucial role as they offer support and stability during the practice. Here are few reasons why yoga mats are important.
Cushioning and Support – The mats are made using foam in various thicknesses starting from 2mm and going up to 10mm. Those how are new to the practice or are at an intermediate level, they could use thicker mats to get used to the overall process. Experts and professionals can practice on a mat that is between 3mm and 5mm thickness. Whatever, the level might be, yoga mats offer the right cushioning, support and stability for the body. It is difficult to practice yoga directly on any kind of flooring. It is important to protect the elbows, wrists and knees while practicing on hard wood floors.
Balance and Stability – Yoga mats are made using various kinds of materials. While foam is the first choice, there are other choices too such as PVC, blend of rubber polymers and plastic, and eco-friendly materials such as natural rubber, jute or even cotton. Whatever the material might be, the ultimate aim to help people have better stability and balance while practicing yoga. The otherwise challenging poses that involve balancing can be done with ease on a mat.
Helps Maintain Hygiene – Yoga is an activity that can be done anywhere at home, office, park or any other outdoor area. All that people would need is a good mat not just to offer them the above benefits but also to protect them for dirt, dust and germs that might be present on the ground or floor. With regular sanitization and cleaning of yoga mat, one can be ready for a session anytime anywhere.
Improves Focus – Using a mat means making use of the available space on the mat and not going beyond. Yoga mats define the space not just physically but mentally as well. When the mat is rolled out, it means it is setting a boundary thereby allowing people to be focused and alert during the practice. This practice becomes helpful while participating in mass yoga sessions which usually get cramped. Apart from this, yoga mats become symbolic to the practice thereby signalling the mind not to miss the regular sessions.
These are just a few visible benefits of using yoga mats. The fact that they are available in a multitude of styles, patterns, prints and materials can help express one’s personality through their mat. Choosing eco-friendly mats also help contribute to environmental sustainability. Yoga mats are practical and offer convenience of practicing any time anywhere with a confidence that there is a clean and familiar space to practice. Here are a few things that customers should consider before buying their mats.
Thickness
As mentioned above, yoga mats are available in various thicknesses. Starting from the slimmest 1.5mm mats to thickest 13mm mats. As much as it is important to have a yoga mat, it is equally important to choose the right thickness based on the proficiency level. Those who practice yoga are classified into beginners, intermediate and expert. A beginner might need a mat that is between 5mm and 8mm as their poses are slower and gentle. Which means they are just getting to get acquainted with their balance and stability. Those at intermediate level too would need the same thickness as beginners because they are just advancing and might need better support, grip, balance and stability. Experts might not need a thicker mat as they have already achieved that balance and posterity. The mat might be an accessory at this stage but it is important to choose a good quality mat.
Materials and Durability
It is evident that thicker yoga mats are durable than thinner mats. So, thickness should not be a concern but the material used to make the mat might make all the difference. The PVC mats are plastic based and are usually latex-free. The disadvantage here is that they are not biodegradable. And then there are mats made up of rubber polymers and plastic that are better than PVC in terms of sustainability. They are also recyclable. They might be less durable than the latter but offer great traction. The other popular material is eco-friendly mats made up of fabrics, cotton, jute and natural rubber. They are excellent at providing traction against feet and hands. Those who prefer sustainability can always opt for these.
Price
There are basic 1.5 mm mats made up of foam and then there are those that are thicker and made using durable materials. The basic PVC mats are cheaper but over time they become slippery and worn out. They could also damage the environment. The expensive versions come with special features such as long lasting built, anti-slip, antimicrobial treatment, colourful patterns, designs, etc. It is important to choose a mat based on the level of activity and the duration of practice. Those who do yoga for just a few minutes or an hour might need a basic model with good thickness. But those who practice for longer hours might need a mat with antimicrobial properties to make sure that it does not attract bacteria.
Other Factors
Users should look for a mat that offers better traction and grip. It prevents the individual from slipping and also offers enough stability during poses. Mats that are textured offer better traction during vigorous yoga sessions. Most mats come in standard sizes but one can choose a broader and longer mat based on their physical requirements. And then there is the weight of the mat and its portability. Light weight mats can be transported easily and those who travel a lot must be able to carry their mats wherever they go. Last but not the least, there is always the factor of durability. Mats which come with strong construction are durable and last long.
This store features yoga mats, yoga apparel and meditation accessories.