Why Use A Yoga Mat?
While it is perfectly possible to do yoga without a mat, using a yoga mat will change the way you do yoga.
Your hands can get sweaty when practicing poses, and without a mat they could slide on the floor and cause you to fall out of a pose. There are a lot of scenarios that could end up with you struggling or even getting hurt. A good yoga mat can help prevent that.
During your yoga routine, not getting enough comfort while you are stretching and holding postures you could end up with sore knees, back or shoulder pain. Therefore, you need a yoga mat with a sufficient padding that will prevent you from ending up with sore muscles and joints. There are also props used to alleviate strain put on your wrists, ankles and back if you need support. There are plenty useful props available such as the Yoga wheel, Wedges and Oval blocks. You are also more likely to be able to maintain your balance for longer in your poses when using a mat that is non-slip.
Doing yoga without a yoga mat is unsanitary. A mat can provide you with a clean workout space, regardless of where you are. It is important to clean your mat on a regular basis using a natural yoga mat cleaner.
When it comes to choosing a yoga mat, there are considerations such as weight, thickness, and materials. When looking the materials of a yoga mat, there are four major types used:
- PVC yoga mats are cheap and lightweight. However, PVC is very environmentally harmful to produce, has a strong off-gassing smell, and contains plenty of substances that are toxic.
- Rubber is an excellent material for yoga mats. It is a biodegradable material as it comes from natural rubber trees. It has a very sticky feel to it, and you will get a good grip. Rubber mats are more expensive compared to PVC, and they cannot be left in direct sunlight as this will warp the mat. The weight is also a consideration if you need a travel mat as rubber mats are much heavier.
- PU yoga mats are integrated by natural rubber foam and PU leather. PU leather, or polyurethane leather, is an artificial leather made of thermoplastic polymer used for making furniture or shoes. 100% PU leather is completely artificial and is considered vegan. This type of yoga mat is made up of two parts: natural rubber foam and PU leather.
- TPE yoga mat is integrated by TPE foam with glue after process. It is made up of TPE and glue. This do have some environmental problems.
- Cork is a popular and beneficial material for yoga mats due to the natural antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities of cork. Keeping the mat clean is a lot easier than a regular yoga mat. Any bacteria that do make its way onto your mat will not be able to live there. With very minimal upkeep, it is easy to enjoy a fresh smelling surface every time you roll your cork yoga mat out.