yoga mats

natural yoga mats

2010-04-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Natural Yoga Mat

By Robert Probert

What is the most recommended yoga mat and what are the advantages of using one? The natural mat is the best one so far. The materials used in this are pure rubber extracts.

Thus, it has no harmful chemicals that can cause irritations in your skin unlike most of the mats of today that contain Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Prolonged contact with PVC contents can have various effects on the health of the user. A natural mat is therefore good for the body since it does not cause any negative side effects.

If you are going to make a research about the natural rubber yoga mat, you will find out that they are actually the one recommended by yoga professionals. The composition is solely 100% rubber and free from any synthetic materials. A drawback of using a natural rubber one is its rubber smell. However, if you can tolerate a slight odor of rubber while you are doing yoga, then this will suit you best.

Another drawback of the rubber yoga mat is its quite heavy compared to other mats. For this reason, it is not suitable for travelling yoga practitioners. Unlike the travelling version, the natural rubber mat cannot be folded or rolled thus it cannot fit in small bags. In addition, carrying it around for transport is a little exhausting.

Some of the advantages of using the all-natural yoga mat is it can allow the user to be more daring in practicing yoga positions. Being 100% pure rubber, has a high traction giving the yoga practitioner a better grip of the supporting surface. This is actually necessary because if the mat is slippery chances are the practitioner will sustain an injury due to accidental slips.

Another great thing with the natural rubber yoga mat is its thick enough to give support and comfort to the user. The comfort is for lessening the amount of stress the body of the practitioner is going through. This would allow him or her to practice yoga for as long as the yogi likes it.

There are many places that you can buy a natural rubber mat. Most sport stores keep a stock of mats for yoga however, not all of them have the natural rubber version available. To sum it all, a natural rubber yoga mat has many benefits to the user. With the current pace of advancement in technology, soon, all the drawbacks of the natural version will also be gone. Thus, if you want to start practicing yoga, take into consideration the mat that you are going to use.

Yoga mat bag

2010-02-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

Yoga Mat Bags
By Marcus Peterson

Yoga is a traditional Indian exercise that aims to strengthen the body, mind and spirit through certain asanas (postures) and breathing techniques. Yoga is an art form that requires just a yoga mat, and no other equipment. The kind of mat used is a very important aspect, since it determines the level of comfort and relaxation.

Yoga mat bags are used for carrying the yoga mats around. The yoga mat can be folded or rolled up and put into the bag for easy carrying as well as storing. These bags are very stylish-looking and are very easy to carry. They can accommodate even a 100” mat. They are also perfect for traveling and keeping the mat clean and protected.

Yoga mats come in many styles, depending upon the size, the cloth, the color, pattern and the model. There are cotton, silk, jute, as well as velvet yoga mat bags. Cotton bags are very durable, sturdy and waterproof. Silk and velvet bags are also lined with thick cotton cloth to make them durable and strong. They are also available in different and interesting patterns, colors and textures. Some bags also have provisions for holding other things apart from the mat, like a towel, water bottle, clothing and other yoga props. Yoga mat bags generally have either a zipper closure or drawstring closure. They are also available in different sizes, like regular, large and XL.

Yoga mat bags do not require any particular maintenance apart from some regular washing. Cotton, canvas, jacquard and hemp yoga mat bags can be hand or machine-washed with cold water. They can also be dry-cleaned for retaining the colors. They should be hung for drying. Velvet yoga mat bags should be only hand washed or dry-cleaned.

The prices of yoga mat bags range from $25 to $45 or even more, depending on the fabric and the design. Regular cotton canvas bags with patterns are available from $20 onwards. The standard sizes are: 29 1/2" length x 7 1/2" diameter or 31 1/2" length x 9 1/2" diameter. Yoga mat bags are available at exclusive yoga-related stores. They can also be ordered online. There are many websites that provide information about yoga mats, where the mats can be compared and even ordered online.

Yoga Mats

2010-02-01T21:42:00.000-08:00

Comparing One Yoga Mat From Another

By Robert Taylor

There are different types of yoga mats are available for use. The use of yoga mat is basically to provide a definite space for you on the floor and also to protect you from violence and the cold floor while doing yoga extensively.

Utopian Yoga Mats

Types of yoga mats are people with specifications that meet many needs and requirements of those who practice yoga. Utopian yoga mat that offers very adequate cushion to combat violence floors, durability and stability. Stability is needed to avoid slipping and moving around too much on the floor during a yoga session. These yoga mats can easily return to form and retain no body dents and marks left. This particular part of yoga equipment is heavier than most of the mats and more expensive than others.

Universal Yoga Mats

Type of mat that is thinner than a mat utopian and very easy to use. Material slightly sticky texture, but quite light. Many experts recommend a yoga mat for beginners. These mats are usually found in the gym and can be used for purposes other than yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga Mats

This yoga mat specifically designed to meet the requirements of Ashtanga yoga and Bikram yoga. Mats made from tightly woven cotton to provide maximum traction and absorption of perspiration. This is to prevent the formation of moisture and sweat. This yoga mat is also similar enough cushion to provide comfort for a seated and floor exercises and stable enough to stand up pose. That's no shortage of utopian resistance mat and can hold a sign the body for a period longer than the utopian mat.

Other Kinds of Mats For Yoga

A beginner's mat for yoga mats are usually temporary which can be used for any other floor exercises beginners if decide not to continue yoga. This is usually mild and made of cheap materials. Travel yoga mat is a flexible mat which is designed to be thin but durable and stable. This yoga mat can be easily folded and stored for traveler convenience. Travel yoga mat easily carry and use.

Different types of yoga mats are available for people to meet the various wants and needs of each individual. Some people may like to use a more expensive, while others prefer the simplicity of universal mats.

thick yoga mats

2010-01-28T23:53:00.000-08:00

Thick Yoga Mats

By Rob Kuhn

There's a fairly natural hierarchy to the choices involved in selecting equipment for doing Yoga, but there's still plenty of room for you to set your own priorities.

One of the most basic choices involves the density of the mat, and you might be surprised to learn that not everyone prefers thick Yoga mats.
Here's a quick list of commonly offered thicknesses:
1/8-inch - 3.2 mm (one common standard)
3/16-inch - 4.7 mm
4 mm - just under 3/16-inch
1/4-inch - 6.4 mm (common "double standard")
5 mm - just under 1/4-inch
5/16-inch - 7.8 mm
3/8-inch - 9.4 mm
1/2-inch - 12.8 mm (extreme thickness)
And what will those offer you? Well, among the most typical advertising adjectives are: support/cushioning, comfort/safety, density/resistance, durability/resilience.

Beginners may be comfortable with the thinnest of those, and some folks simply prefer that 1/8-inch option. The thickest mats, four times that depth, may suit some folks, but can also be too soft to allow maintaining proper alignment in some poses. Others will find comfort in an intermediate thickness.
What's intermediate in this range, however, is rarely referred to that way. In order to be able to establish value in mats of differing thickness, manufacturers tend to want to define a "standard" -- typically 1/8-inch -- so that they can then refer to their 1/4-inch mats as "twice the standard thickness." But 1/4-inch mats are also so common that you'll occasionally see those referred to as "standard."

There's certainly validity in calling 1/8-inch a standard because -- other than a plain cotton mat that's closer to a blanket -- it's tough to find a mat with less thickness than that. The point is never to go exclusively by the word "standard" -- make sure you check the thickness!
In terms of mat materials, there are two main aspects to consider: type and texture. Most mats offer "high-tack" texture designed to prevent slipping -- by the mat on the floor, yes, but more importantly by you on top of the mat.

The variety of types materials requires research and thought. If you're willing to experiment with different ones, just remember to avoid anything to which you might be allergic (latex, for instance).
Most mats come in standard and kids sizes, with assorted other options. There are dozens of color choices and design options, but of course not all of them are offered on every mat.
As far as additional features, some folks want a reversible or two-sided mat, while other highly valued characteristics include easy cleaning and easy portability.

cheap yoga mats

2010-01-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Cheap Yoga Mats

By Marcus Peterson

Yoga is an ancient Indian exercise form that involves the use of certain body postures and breathing exercises for body, mind and spiritual health. Yoga is done by sitting, standing or lying down on a mat. Yoga mats should be very comfortable, as the postures should be done in a very relaxed manner. Good yoga mats even enhance the postures.

The main features of a good yoga mat are: durability, strength, softness, and ability to stay firm without crumpling. It should also grip the floor effectively and not allow the user to slide across the floor on the mat. Yoga mats are very easy to maintain. They just need once-in-a-while washing with a mild detergent, either in a machine or by hand.

A yoga mat is the only investment required for yoga. A good-quality mat can range from $20 to $45 or $50. However, there are cheaper mats available for as low as $10. These are made of regular cotton, without too many frills.

Cheap yoga mats are available in various styles, patterns and colors. Traditional mats were made of cotton or jute, but these days, many other materials are being used for yoga mats. Yoga mats are generally 4-5mm thick, since these mats can be stiff enough not to crease on the floor while being flexible enough to be rolled up, carried and washed. Cheap yoga mats should also handle repeated washing. Some yoga mats these days are also non-toxic and eco-friendly. Other different kinds of cheap yoga mats are: sticky mats, travel mats, foldable mats, lightweight mats and others. These mats are available in plain colors as well as interesting colors and patterns.

Cheap yoga mats can be found at exclusive yoga stores. The best source for finding a good, cheap yoga mat is the internet. There are websites that host the best deals on Yoga Mats, which can be compared as well as ordered online. Some suppliers also give discounts on yoga mats, like 50% off or 30% off. Such deals can be seen on the internet.