If you have been practicing yoga, or perhaps are just thinking about it, you will need the right yoga mat if you want to receive the maximum benefit possible during your yoga class. Choosing a yoga mat isn’t quite as easy as you may think though. There are many different yoga mats available today, and each will possess different attributes that will either lead you to love it or hate it. Some yoga mats have noxious chemicals that will distract and annoy you. While others may be made of low grade material and as a result only last a month or two.
One of the first yoga mats that a practitioner of yoga may purchase is a standard plastic mat that doesn’t carry a high price tag and can be found in many stores. However there are some disadvantages with these mats as well. These mats are very thin for one thing, and will not provide you with much cushioning that you will need. The mats may also contain harmful chemicals. Another reason why you might not be interested in these type of yoga mats is that they are not very environmentally friendly. It makes sense for a newcomer to yoga to purchase the cheapest mat available in case it turns out that you don’t want to pursue yoga after all. A counter argument to this, however, is that using a cheap mat that makes you uncomfortable will influence your decision, probably in a negative way.
There are yoga mats that are 100% environmentally friendly. These mats are often made of jute or cork. Keep in mind that these mats simply will not last long enough to suit your purposes. However if you are very concerned about the environment, and have money to replace them often, then you may still find them to be perfectly acceptable mats. Keep in mind that these mats are made of porous materials causing sweat to penetrate your yoga mat. So cleaning these type of yoga mats effectively is not an easy task.
Yoga mats constructed of a fine rubber material may be the most obvious choice for most yoga practitioners. These mats are a very sturdy and inexpensive as well as made of natural, environmentally friendly materials. There are some rubber mats on the market that are made of synthetic rubber. Mats like these you may wish to steer clear of as they may cause unhealthy side effects like those previously mentioned. Rubber mats may not be right for you if you are allergic to latex however, so keep this in mind.
One more possible solution, if you can’t seem to find a yoga mat that meets your needs, is to try out a Pilates mat instead. As you can imagine, they are not altogether different and both serve the same purpose: to make you as comfortable as possible while giving you the stable non slippery support you need. Pilates mats, however, are much thicker than standard yoga mats as Pilates requires you to spend more time on the floor. Just make sure that the Pilates mat you purchase was designed with a no-slip surface and you’ll be fine.
Though unfortunately stress is a natural and unavoidable, here are ways to deal with your stress. One great way is through meditation and yoga. All you need is good quality yoga mats and a willingness to “Just Do it”. The results can be amazing in returning your body and mind to peace and tranquility. Plus, Yoga will cost you so much less than therapy or medication.
– Christian Neeser