A mat for yoga is a great way to help you stay safe and comfortable while practicing your asanas. A mat for yoga is made of non-slip material, which helps you keep your footing on your mat during even the most challenging poses. It’s also usually made from a material that’s easy to clean, so if you get into a pose that causes you to sweat or fall off balance—or both!—you can wipe down your mat and continue with your practice.
The main purpose of a yoga mat is to provide cushioning between your body and the floor while you practice. This helps prevent injuries such as joint pain or muscle fatigue. You can also use your mat for extra support if you’re doing poses on hard surfaces like concrete or wood floors.
How To Choose The Right Mat
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, it’s important to choose the right mat for your practice. Choosing the right mat can make all the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable yoga session and one that leaves you feeling sore.
Here are some tips for choosing the right mat for your yoga practice:
- Look for a non-slip surface. The last thing you want during downward dog is to slip off your mat. Make sure that the mat you choose has a smooth surface that won’t bunch up under your hands or feet as you move through your poses.
- Choose a yoga mat that’s easy to clean. If you’re like most yogis, then you know how dirty (and stinky!) your mat can get after just one class—especially if it’s hot outside! Make sure that the mat you choose is easy to clean so that you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing stains out of it every week before practicing again!
- Finally, think about what kind of materials are going into making your new yoga mat! You might want something made from sustainable materials that aren’t harmful for the environment like cork or bamboo—or maybe you prefer something synthetic like polyester because it feels soft against your skin when practicing hot yoga?
The Right Mat Matters
You may have wondered why some yoga mats are better than others. It’s not just about the price; it’s about what kind of yoga you want to do.For example, if you’re doing hot yoga, you’ll need a sticky mat so that you won’t slip around while sweating. If you’re doing Bikram or Ashtanga, you’ll also want a sticky mat because these practices require more traction so that your hands don’t slip off of your feet during poses like Downward-Facing Dog or Cobra Pose.
If you’re practicing Vinyasa flow, it’s best to use a non-sticky mat so that your hands and feet won’t stick together when they should be able to slide over each other easily. You can also get away with using a non-sticky mat for Kundalini classes because they tend to go at a slower pace than other types of yoga and require less traction in general—but if possible, try out different kinds of mats and see which one works best for each style!
