Yoga Mats

A yoga mat is the most basic piece of yoga equipment. Of course, back in the day the original yogis did not use a yoga exercise mat, but they also did not try to perform yoga pastures on wood floors made slick from several coats of varnish. So, if you are doing yoga in a studio or a gym on a wooden or smooth floor you will need to get a good yoga mat.

Yoga mats serve many important functions. A yoga mat helps to improve your balance and stability, a thick yoga mat will support you during poses by cushioning your body from the hard surface of the floor, and a yoga sticky mat will help prevent injuries.

When choosing a yoga mat, you want a mat that will not be too heavy to carry, you want a mat that will hold up to being washed, it should keep your feet from slipping even when you are dripping sweat on it, and one that be cleaned off easily. There are discount yoga mats available but it makes more sense to invest in a good yoga mat that will serve your needs for a long time rather than use cheap yoga mats that will wear out quickly and need to be replaced.

Once you have chosen the right yoga mat, you will want to get a yoga mat sling to carry your mat to and from class in. When you are attending a yoga class at a new studio, I would bring my yoga mat just in case they don’t supply them. Some studios will have a big, heavy, black yoga mat that many people have used and sweated on before you, and who knows when the last time it was washed off. To keep your mat clean you can purchase antibacterial yoga mat spray.

In an effort to support breast cancer research, Mats, Mats, Mats dot com is offering pink yoga mats with a portion of the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Inc.

Harmony yoga mats are made from natural rubber so you will not slip on your mat even when you sweat. They come in three sizes and thicknesses, they can be hand washed with mild soap and water, and they can be laid out to dry, but avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. These mats are also not suited for those with a Latex allergy.

Yogasprout dot com has a great selection of yoga DVDs and mats, yoga mats, accessories and you can compare yoga mats as well.