Yoga Mat
Yoga is great because it can be performed nearly anywhere and it doesn’t require much equipment. One of the key elements to your yoga practice is having a good yoga mat. They help you to stay balanced when your performing moves and help you to stay comfortable when your performing others. All in all practicing yoga with a mat is the safest way to practice. There are many types of mats and they can range in price, design and color. They are all very light and compact making them easy to use and carry.
There are 5 different types of yoga mats, all of these vary from one another as well as within themselves. There are many styles of mats and even two mats from the same category can be very different.
Foam Mats are generally made from PVC and come in a variety of colors and thicknesses. They are typically cheaper than most mats and are often the most popular making them the easiest to find. They are fairly durable and easy to wash. They also get stickier the longer you use them which aids in assisting balance and posture. However, a foam yoga mat will be somewhat slick when you first purchase it so performing positions and movements may be difficult. They also smell very chemically when they are fist purchased and they are not the most environmentally friendly item.
Rubber Mats are usually made from natural rubber from trees and also come in array of colors and thicknesses. These mats are nice and cushiony and great for comfort. They typically last for long periods of time even with daily use. Because they are more costly they are not the most common choice in matt’s so they may be difficult to locate. At first they have a very strong rubbery odor, however that disappears with use. They tend to break down if exposed to the sun for long periods of time and should not be left in your car or by a window.
Cotton Mats/Blankets are preferred by some individuals because they are very light weight and flexible. They come in wide varieties of colors, sizes, and thicknesses. They poses no odor upon purchase. They are great in absorbing sweat and no not become slick and slippery. However, for this same reason they do not provide you with the same sticky support as other yoga mats. Also, when placed on tile or hardwood they tend to slide making practice difficult. These mats can also be stained very easily.
Yoga Mitts in contrast to a traditional yoga mat, these glove-like mitts make yoga possible without the use of a mat. They can be placed on the hands to stabilize you from slipping when you are positioning your body. They are great for travel and are very compact and light. They also come in many sizes and colors. However, they do not provide the same comfort and balance assistance that a regular mat does. They also tend to slip against your shin when you sweat and they are just as expensive as most yoga mats.
Yoga toes are very similar to yoga mitts but they instead are placed on the feet. They are rarely used alone as they are merely thick socks with anti-slip dots on the bottom of the foot. These greatly prevent slipping when changing positions and postures in your routine. They are great to absorb sweat and can be easily washed with your clothes. They are also small and easy to pack and carry. They do come in a variety of colors and sizes. However, they can only be used on top of a yoga mat. When used alone on the floor they are not effective and may cause more damage than not. They are also a bit pricey but sometimes are included in packages with other yoga equipment.
You also have the option of performing yoga without a mat whatsoever. While it may be practical to perform yoga on hard wood or tile you can always perform yoga on a carpeted area in your home. It is great because it allows you to be less restrictive with your practice. You are free to practice yoga where and whenever you want and not having a mat should not stop you. Often times performing yoga without a mat can lead to rug burn, which can heal quickly. Another disadvantage is that there is nothing to catch your sweat as it falls which will dirty the carpet.