How to choose a yoga mat

Are you looking for a yoga mat?

Because yoga has become so popular in recent years, the number of companies producing yoga products has increased as well, making purchasing yoga equipment quite difficult. There are a plethora of options! Visit YOGI TIMES for more information.

It's well worth your time to think about the correct mat for you, as finding the correct pair of athletic shoes can be comparable to finding the correct mat.

Uprising wants to encourage you to practice yoga at home, and having your own mat is a great place to start.

Here's some advice on what to think about to help you navigate the various factors:

Make a selection

First and foremost, yoga mats are not to be confused with pilates or exercise equipment mats, which would be much denser and softer. Because Pilates or fitness center mats are engineered for lying down instead of standing, they are insufficiently stable for yoga practice.

Measurement of thickness

The average thickness of a yoga mat is 4mm to 5mm. This is a good thickness for providing adequate padding on a hard surface, but if you want more padding for your joints, go up to 6millimetres.

There are also slimmer ones that are better for traveling and hauling to and from the studio; look for the 'travel mat' label when shopping. If you're practicing on a hard floor, a thinner mat isn't recommended, but they'll work fine on carpet but something else marginally padded.

Factor of grip

If you have warm or sweating arms when you practice, you'll want to go with a mat with a snug-fitting surface. It's not fun to keep sliding all over the place around in downward dog or to have to modify your hand positions all the time. There are many non-slip mats to choose from these days, and the main disadvantage of some of the rougher mats is that they could be heavier, which is fine if you're just practicing at home, but it's not so great if you're walking or cycling to the studio. Some of the more durable mats are also more expensive. If your budget doesn't allow for one of these, but you still need a good grip, liquid chalk is a good alternative. It can be used on your hands and feet to provide extra grip.

the amount of weight

As previously stated, based on where you practice, this may be a factor to consider.

Dimensions

The average length of a mat is about 180cm. If you're tall, a longer mat will come in handy.

Long-term viability

It's good practice to think about the environmental impact of just about everything we purchase, so look for brands that specify the components used in the mat and how they were sourced. Natural rubber and wick are two of the more environmentally friendly options available today. It's also a good idea to use as little adhesive or other synthetic ingredients as possible.