what-is-the-best-yoga-mat

What is the best yoga mat

For many people, a yoga mat is a non-slip and padded surface that facilitates the practice of asanas in order to practice safely and comfortably.

Yoga mats generally measure 182 centimeters by 60 centimeters wide, although there are other sizes on the market. Thicknesses also differ, ranging from 2mm to 7mm, with the most common being around 5mm.

But for many yogis, a yoga mat is much more than that!

If you're looking for your ideal carpet, you've probably found that there is a plethora of them on the market, at any price, in a wide range of colors, patterns and styles. Some are environmentally friendly, others are designed to be easy to carry and use anywhere.

And you're a little lost in all this. Together we will look at the key factors to consider, ask ourselves about the necessity of carpet and what it represents for any good yogi and finally review the different offers.

But first, a bit of history!

 

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THE HISTORY OF THE YOGA MAT THROUGH TIME

You can imagine that yoga mats didn't always exist. For thousands of years, Indian yogis have practiced yoga without mats, on the floor. In those days, yoga consisted roughly of sitting on the grass to concentrate on your breath and meditate.

So it didn't really require a mat. The most precious ones sat either on the grass or on animal skins. It wasn't until the late 1800's that a new form of yoga appeared, a little more "challenging" and with its lot of asanas (include yoga postures).

With this new form of yoga, the discipline became popular and the needs expanded to include a more stable and supportive surface to practice on. Over time, many yogis began to use woven cotton mats to practice their yoga. It was better than the floor, but it was not a panacea in terms of grip, stability or comfort...

It will be necessary to wait until 1960 so that Yoga reaches the door of the Occident, and the end of the Sixties so that a practitioner, Angela Farmer (rather malignant recognize it), adapts a piece of foam mat in what will become the very first Yoga mat.

In 1980, these yoga mats were mass-produced thanks to the help of her father (Richard Farmer), they were then called "sticky mats". One problem remained, they were not, but then they were really not durable and crumbled.

In 1990, new yoga mats came out, they were stronger and made of polyvinyl chlorate (PVC), but again, a new problem, this time on the environmental side... We've known for a long time that as durable as PVC is, it's really not easy to get rid of it...not very environmentally friendly at all.

PVC yoga mats are a danger for the planet, it is extremely difficult to recycle them for economical and practical reasons, never buy them. So we will have to wait a little longer before the ideal yoga mat will appear. At the top of the list, yogis wanted a mat that would not slip, even when sweat falls on it.

In the meantime, many practitioners began to put towels over their mats, a solution that was not really practical, since the towel had to be constantly readjusted, a source of distraction.

In the early 2000s, the British company EcoYoga manufactured the world's first eco-friendly mat and it wasn't until 2013 that the first anti-slip AND eco-friendly mats appeared, under the leadership of brands such as liforme and thanks to years of R&D.

What to remember? That if yoga is really not new (1800 remember), her practice has evolved a lot and with it, her needs. The yoga mat has quickly become indispensable for any yogi, and as silly as it may seem, it is the fruit of some fifty years of research and development. Finally, if you too want a yoga mat, always keep in mind that you should never opt for a material like PVC, it would be a huge step backwards and the worst choice!

 

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6 REASONS TO HAVE YOUR OWN YOGA MAT

There are the "pro carpets" and there are the others.

If yoga can indeed be practiced without mats, with all due respect to some, here are 6 good reasons to have one under your elbow (or feet, in this case):

1. Helps to establish a strong connection with your yoga practice, which is valid in any discipline. Investing money in equipment usually motivates you.
2. For obvious hygiene issues when taking group yoga classes (to avoid the loan of a mat that someone else has already sweated on).
3. Helps to create a yoga space just for you (we'll come back later on the meaning of the mat for a yogi).
4. Creates a sense of connection with yoga (even outside your yoga room), the mat reminds you to practice.
5. Allows the feet to be "rooted" with the floor, creating a feeling of familiarity, warmth.
6. Allows for a safer practice by providing comfort and grip.

 

WHAT DOES THE YOGA MAT REPRESENT?

Now, let's approach the carpet on a slightly more spiritual note. There is something strong that unites a yogi and his mat, and if you are not aware of it, try walking on another practitioner's mat in a class...glacial eyes assured.

It is important to understand that the mat is more than a tool, it is a metaphor, it represents the space in which our mind can feel some relief from the chaotic, unpredictable and stressful nature of everyday life.

We customize our mats to better reflect who we are as practitioners. What do I mean by this? It's not just about choosing the right color.

We have to decide whether we choose PVC or an "ecological" rug. We also have to decide on the size, thickness, portability and patterns on the carpet, according to our values.

The yoga mat serves as a "partition", it separates the space from everyone. People cannot put their feet on your mat. They cannot stretch their limbs in your yoga space. The floor is a public space. Everyone can walk wherever they want. The yoga mat is a private space.

All of this is very ironic because we practice yoga to expand our own boundaries and learn to experience expansion rather than being caught in a restrictive and limited understanding of ourselves.

And we do it from what? From a private, rectangular, colorful and personalized space. This is what some yogis who are not aficionados of the yoga mat deplore.

Here's a little advice: practice without your mat. If it is required during classes, separate yourself from time to time from this partition when you practice at home. You will feel liberated, and your asana practice may even be different. Some postures may vary in effort depending on whether or not they are practiced on the grip of a mat, so take the test.

 

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BUYING A YOGA MAT: 6 CRITERIA TO CONSIDER

Choosing a yoga mat is a little more than choosing a color and pattern.

You'll need to be stable and comfortable while doing your asanas. The mat must also be easy to store and transport. Finally, you want your mat to be environmentally friendly, and I still insist on this point.

Here are the criteria that will allow you to choose your perfect yoga mat, a mat that suits your practice, your values and most importantly, your budget.

 

1. Thickness

At first glance one could say that thickness doesn't matter. But thickness in a carpet is synonymous with comfort.

Thin carpets have the advantage of being easily bendable and do not weigh much, but your knees will sink. Too thick on the other hand, they can hinder your connection with the ground, which is essential in certain postures such as when you are rooted to a tree.

We consider a mat as thick from 6mm thick, less than 2mm, it is thin.

You can start on a carpet of 3-4mm, which is a standard thickness, without too much risk to make a mistake. Opt for a second thinner carpet if you travel often and something thicker if your carpet is exclusively for domestic use.

 

2. The material

The material of your yoga mat dictates its texture, durability, viscosity, ecofriendliness and whether or not it yields to pressure from sweat.

It is therefore a criterion that is of great importance. Most standard yoga mats are made of PVC, and remember, we say no to PVC!

Some of the newer, more environmentally friendly options include :

- natural and recycled rubber
- jute fiber
- cork (as the yogamatata brand does very well)
- organic or natural cotton

If you are allergic to latex, avoid natural rubber yoga mats.

 

3. The texture

The texture of your yoga mat determines the grip it provides. The top layer of your mat provides protection against slipping. And because texture affects the feel of a yoga mat, it's also a component of overall comfort.

Texture can be dictated by the manufacturer (an embossed bump pattern, for example) or by the materials: jute fiber mats, for example, have a natural organic roughness.

If you are looking for a yoga mat that prevents slipping and would like to avoid PVC mats, look for a rubber, jute or cotton mat that has a natural raised pattern.

This extra grip will help you stay securely in place no matter how much you sweat or how hard you practice.

 

4. Respect for the environment

As yogis, we are (normally) attached to the principle of ahimsa (non-violence, respect for life). It is therefore, basically, quite counterproductive to opt for a carpet that will end its days somewhere in the environment and take a thousand years to degrade...

If the environment is important to you, avoid yoga mats made of PVC which does not decompose in landfills and is difficult and expensive to recycle.

Rubber, jute and cotton yoga mats tend to be thicker and more slippery than PVC mats, but they still meet your needs for comfort and grip.

 

5. The price

A standard 3mm thick, solid color, PVC yoga mat is at the lower end of the price range, usually in the 10-15$ range.

From there, you can pay more for beautiful patterns, a little more thickness, antimicrobial treatment, responsible material and nice textures.

If yoga is about to become a lasting part of your life, I advise you to get your hands on the wallet and go for a mid-range model for around 50$.

I know, it may seem overpriced for a silly mat, but you will realize that the investment was worth it. I'm only saying this if you do yoga on a regular basis, I'm not asking you to ruin yourself for a few hours here and there in the year.

 

6. The style

Once you've narrowed down your choices based on thickness, material, texture, adhesion, environmental friendliness and price, you're left with only one factor (the most important one for us girls): design!

Here, feel free to choose your favorite color, pattern or print. After all, you won't be done looking at your beautiful rug when you're upside down as a dog!

 

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