Are you looking for the yoga mat that is just right for you and your practice?
Feeling overwhelmed by the many candidates?
Stop, take a breath, chill on the research. Read on to find your yoga mat the right way.
Your Mat, Your Practice
Yoga mats play a major role in modern yoga practice. The right mat gives your protection over rough surfaces, cushion to relax, grip in poses that test your balance, and your own space to conduct your yoga practice. A yoga mat can be a great asset….. or a total ass.
When I first started my yoga practice, I used a brand less purple mat that I picked up at a local store. Overall the mat was okay, but as it got older and my physical yoga practice became regular, it began to lose tiny bits of mat after every class. This was equally embarrassing, satisfying and celebratory, as the little purple bits of mat looked like I was littering, working so hard in class that I literally tore the mat up, or that I was a self contained party full of purple mat confetti. Either way, my mat was deteriorating and I needed to get a new one. And I had no idea where to start.
A yoga mat can be a great asset….. or a total ass.
Exploring Your Options
Exploring the world of yoga mats can be overwhelming. I couldn’t believe all of the different choices when I first started looking. I also didn’t know if I could trust personal reviews. After all, we are all different, and what one person says may not lead me to the right mat for me.
So where do we begin?
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Determine what you need from your mat.
Start with what you really need. Are you sweaty and need a non-slip mat with good grip? Eco conscious and interested in low impact on our environment? A traveler looking for the lightest mat possible? Taller than average and looking for length? Or perhaps a bad knee that needs thicker padding? Whatever your specific needs are, there is a mat that can help! But be sure the clarify what your needs are before you start your search,
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Know your research.
Next, we go to the research. Normally, this could be exhausting and stressful.
Product research and multiple personal reviews are needed to get a holistic picture of what a mat will give you. Purchasing factors may range from mat length, material, effect on the environment, style, brand, weight and price. It is easy to get a headache researching and a bit of anxiety debating whether you have truly made the best choice.
The team at Reviews.com has compiled a well-researched, comprehensive list of the top 10 best yoga mats. Their approach is truly anthropological at heart, exploring hundreds of yoga mat reviews across outdoor shops, yoga blogs, product reviews and personal recommendations from established yoga professionals.
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Explore your mat!
Now is the really fun part- exploring your new mat and noticing how it affects your yoga practice. It may feel a bit strange at first, but all new things do. Enjoy the exploration!
You don’t have to have a mat to practice yoga, but finding one that works for you can be a great addition to your practice. Take the time to read the research and find that mat that is truly best for you!Let me know what you find, and happy mat hunting!
-Laura
laurajayyoga.wordpress.com 