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What's The Best Yoga Mat To Use? What do I do About A Slipery Mat?
Have you found yourself slipping out of down-ward dog into an unintentional split? Has your back foot slid out from under you while holding Warrior pose? Because yoga is practiced in bare feet, the yoga mat is a fundamental part of practice for beginners and experts alike.
One way to get your hands on this important piece of equipment is to borrow one. Many studios keep extra mats for student use. While borrowing a mat is a great solution for those who don’t have the cash to spare for a mat of their own, it can also spread germs and viruses. Protect your health—and your family’s—by investing in your own mat.
Purchasing a mat also allows you the freedom to engage in yoga at any time—not just during formal classes. Perhaps you’ve had a particularly rough week, but class is still three days away. Just unroll your mat in the living room and practice a few of your favorite postures.
When it’s time to shop for a yoga mat, you can pick up any ol’ mat after all, a yoga mat is a yoga mat, right?
Wrong.
Use a poor quality mat and you might find yourself sprawled on the floor in a Twister-like pile. All that slipping and sliding is not only embarrassing, it’s also unsafe. Keep your feet and hands where they belong by looking for these qualities in your mat:
The standard yoga mat, also known as a sticky mat, is made of rubber or PVC. These mats provide cushioning for your joints, which is important if you have joint problems or a chronic condition such as arthritis.
Mat thickness is also an important consideration. A 3mm thick mat is just fine for students of gentler forms of yoga. Look for a heavy-duty thicker mat, perhaps 5mm, if you have joint problems, such as arthritis, or if you practice an intense style, such as Bikram or ashtanga yoga.
Are you so tall that people call you 'Stretch' or ask what position you played in basketball? While the standard 24 x 68 mat is suitable for most people, taller students may want to look for longer mats to accommodate their height.
PVC mats often have what’s referred to as 'new mat' smell, a chemical odor that fades with time and use. However, those with sensitive noses can find the smell offensive even after the mat has been used for some time.
Although standard yoga mats are supposed to keep you from slipping, over time they can lose some of their grip. For instance, oils from your hands might make your mat slipper. This is especially the case if you sweat a lot during class. Regular cleaning is a good way to get rid of the oils that cause slipping.
Cleaning your mat of slip-inducing oils is easy. Manufacturers of standard mats recommend soaking it in a bath of cold water and vinegar. After the soak, rinse it in cold water, squeeze out the excess, and then air dry.
Another anti-slip solution is to place a non-skid towel on top of your mat. One side of the towel you’ll practice on is made of soft absorbent material. The other side is a non-slip surface that grips your mat, making practice safer.
There are alternatives to the standard PVC mats. For example, some manufacturers have developed sticky mats made from PVC/latex-free materials. They’re free of harsh chemicals, which means they’re also free of overwhelming chemical smells. These mats are also ideal for those with latex allergies.
Another alternative to the typical yoga mat is a cotton mat or rug. These mats have a tight, sweat-absorbing weave that actually increases its gripping power. This quality makes the mats especially suitable for more intense forms of yoga.
Cotton yoga mats are also machine washable, making it easy to clean up the sweat and germs it will collect. As a bonus, cotton mats lack any offending chemical smell. If you’re environmentally conscious, you might also consider mats or rugs made with organic cotton.
By choosing a high-quality mat that suits your size and the style of yoga you practice, you can stop focusing on how you’re going to stay on your feet and start focusing on building a better you.
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