Probably every yoga practitioner, at some point, ask themselves how important a yoga mat actually is? There are many studies and types of yoga where practitioners don't practice on yoga mats. For some yoga types, having a yoga mat isn't mandatory, but let's talk about the general population and yoga type. We're going to talk about reasons why yoga mat is necessary for you.
Although, the most important for yoga is your body and mind. A yoga mat can just help with your progress and make the whole process far more comfortable and easier.
Let's check out 7 reasons why yoga mat is necessary for your yoga practice:
#1 Reduces Slipperiness
The level of slipperiness hugely depends on the type of yoga you're doing. For instance, hot yoga became very popular in recent years and it's known that people sweat a lot during the session. Combine sweat with a hot room full of people and you get a perfect combination for a slippery surface.
If you're not using a yoga mat, you can be more than sure you won't be able to perform hot yoga since there is no way to hold a position while your arms and legs are constantly slipping.
You simply need a yoga mat that is, preferably made from rubber. If you have a regular PVC-yoga mat, don't worry and check out how you can make your yoga mat less slippery.
#2 Helps With Balance
Depending on the surface you're practicing yoga, you might struggle with the balance. Everyone knows that you require a tremendous amount of balance to be able to hold a certain yoga pose for a while. Losing the balance in the middle of the pose can result in unwanted injury or joint sprain.
Yoga mat helps in increasing the level of balance as it's cushioned and even surface. It can even help in increasing balance for outdoor practice. Again, it totally depends on the type of yoga you're performing.
#3 Provides With Comfort and Reduces Joint Pain
Since yoga mats are cushioned and come with extra padding, it definitely increases the level of comfort. There are a few levels of thickness on the market, and the most usual are from 2 - 12 mm. For instance, 2 mm is perfect for yogis who travel a lot since these yoga mats are totally portable and won't take much space in your luggage. On the other hand, 12 mm yoga mats are ideal for pilates or people who struggle with comfort or injuries.
A thicker yoga mat can drastically reduce joint pain and increase the comfort of practitioners.
#4 Increases Motivation Levels
Designing your own personalized yoga mat can definitely impact the level of motivation.
We have a virtual design tool where you can play with different patterns and designs in order to come up with a suitable yoga mat. Even if you're not a designer in a soul, our professional designer can help you and provide you with a few design samples, free of any cost.
There will be many days where you simply don't have the energy for anything and motivation usually lacks. Having your favorite quote or inspirational design on your yoga mat can definitely push you.
Here are 20 creative design ideas for your next custom yoga mat.
#5 Creates a Personal Space
If you're practicing yoga in a studio, then having a yoga mat represents your personal space. It's the space where you're performing yoga poses and, depending on a yoga type, it's only shared by you.
Majority of yoga studios gives you a mat, but due to the hygiene concerns, it's advisable to bring your own yoga mat and practice on it.
#6 Comfort While Doing an Outdoor Yoga Session
Do you prefer outdoor yoga over performing in yoga studios? If you're an outdoor yoga lover, then you know the importance of thickness and padding. As there is a high possibility you're going to perform yoga on uneven or rough terrain, it's important that you have enough padding that will make your practice comfortable and help in avoiding injuries.
If you're traveling a lot, we suggest going with 2 mm yoga mat for the grass or sandy terrain. For people who're stationed at one place, but love to do an outdoor yoga session, 6 mm or more would be an ideal thickness to go for.
#7 Hygiene Reasons
Sharing the mat with other people or practicing in nature without a proper mat doesn't sound like a hygienic option.
Always have your own yoga mat with you and take proper care of it. Learn how to naturally clean your yoga mat and remove all bacteria and bad smell from it.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach us out through email or live chat.
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