Yoga mat: some tips for choosing it well

Essential for a good yoga practice, the yoga mat has been specially designed to guarantee your comfort and safety. It is precisely for this reason that manufacturers are constantly innovating in order to bring satisfaction to all practitioners. Whatever your level and the type of yoga you practice, the right choice of this equipment is always essential. It is precisely for this reason that we have gathered here all the criteria to take into account to recognize a good yoga mat.

the yoga can take several forms, but the whole is classified into two categories of which the gentle yoga and the dynamic yoga. The latter includes practices that warm up the muscles and help to draw the silhouette. This is particularly the case of Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Jivamukti as well as Power yoga. For your safety and comfort, prefer a non-slip yoga mat if you are going to practice dynamic yoga. This way, you won’t risk slipping and falling while making movements to adopt more complex postures. As for gentle yoga like hatha-yoga and Yin Yoga, you don’t necessarily need a non-slip mat. A smoother model suits his practice well.

A mat that offers good stability

This stability relies on the thickness of your yoga mat. A mat that is too thin is a sign of muscle discomfort. If it’s too thick, you’ll have trouble keeping your balance. It is best to choose a yoga mat with a thickness varying from 4-6mm. If in doubt, you can just choose a 4 mm thick model with which you can practice all types of yoga without losing stability. If you choose a thinner mat, make sure it is non-slip and has good grip.

The weight of the yoga mat

the mat weight is a determining criterion of its quality. The heavier it is, the higher its quality. However, you do not have to invest in a rug too heavy if you have to carry it regularly for practice outside or in the studio. So that its weight does not discourage you, choose a lighter model that you can transport easily. On the other hand, nothing prevents you from choosing a heavier yoga mat if you only practice at home.

And the material?

There again, the material of manufacture of your yoga mat will have a major impact on your comfort. There are indeed models whose components are not suitable for the practice of yoga. It is not for nothing that specialists prohibit the use of the fitness mat for doing yoga. The best thing is to turn to a eco-friendly yoga mat. You have the assurance that the materials used are ecological and that they do not present any danger to your health. Slippery materials are to be avoided, as are pvc yoga mat.

Attention ! The cotton yoga mat are suitable for traditional or gentle yoga practice only. Indeed, cotton is far too soft and slippery. While using it, you may not be able to change positions quickly and lose your balance. If you do dynamic yoga, the stiffer materials are perfect for practicing it in the best conditions.

aesthetics yoga mat

Some people may overlook this detail. However, it acts considerably on the motivation. If you have a nice yoga mat, you’ll naturally be happy to work with it. Your equipment must always make you want to do your yoga session. It all depends on your taste, but just make sure that you always like its aesthetics every time you go to use it.

The brand

It is obvious that you consider the brand when choosing a carpet. A brand with a good reputation is naturally worthy of trust. It’s even more reassuring if the brand was created by a yoga enthusiast. Since he perfectly knows the needs of practitioners, the yoga mat he offers will satisfy them. You can also consult the opinions of yogis before making a purchase, because popularity isn’t everything for some yoga brands.

The price

It is not necessarily by paying too much that you can benefit from a yoga mat of high quality. Indeed, the price is not at all an indicator of quality. It is possible to find a cheap yoga mat, but of good quality. On the other hand, it is up to you to check whether the product is suitable for the yoga practice, whether soft or dynamic. There are, for example, mats for 20 €, but which are not non-slip and very slippery.

In general, a good carpet costs more than 50 €. If in doubt, you can always take the mat from the studio you subscribe to. Just put a yoga towel over it and you won’t have to worry about hygiene. Once you are sure you want to practice at home, you can purchase your own yoga mat. Otherwise, you can also ask your yoga teacher.

The interview of his yoga mat

This is the last criterion that should never be overlooked when choosing a yoga mat. For your hygiene, you must disinfect your mat after each use. You can then use a mixture of water, white vinegar and antibacterial essential oils to do this. Wipe it all down with a microfiber cloth and you’re done. Otherwise, also be aware that some rugs can be machine washed. This detail is mentioned on the instructions.