HOW TO CHOOSE YOGA MAT?
If you attend group classes in the hall, then it is better to have your own rug. not only in terms of convenience, but also for personal hygiene.
We often don’t think about it, but the right rug helps:
Avoid slipping hands and feet
Relieve pressure on knees, elbows and spine
Avoid contact with cold floor, keep body warm
Overall, increase exercise comfort
The rug carries the energy of its owner.
The most basic thing is that your rug should be able to:
Both surfaces must be non-slip to provide traction to the body and the floor.
The mat should not stretch during the performance of asanas, not tear or "crumble"
The mat should not have strong odors and release toxic substances
CARPET TESTS
First you need to stand on the mat and stand in the asanas. If you stand in a warrior or trikonasanu pose, you will see if it is stretching or holding its shape. In a dog face down or in a mountain it is always clear whether the mat will slide.
If you press down on the mat with your finger and abruptly remove it, you will see if the material is pressed under the weight (it shouldn't).
On a laminate floor, you need to move the rug in order to understand whether it will crawl along the floor, creating problems and the risk of injury to the owner.
OTHER PARAMETERS
1. Length.
The size of the yoga mat is usually standard: length 170-180 cm, width 60 cm.If your height is more than 180 cm, it is better to bring the mat up to 200 cm.
2.Thickness.
For yoga practice, the optimal thickness of the mat is 4-6 mm. The thicker the rug, the softer it is to put your elbows and knees on it, the more comfortable and warm it is in savasana. However, it is difficult to do all balance asanas on thick rugs.
Many yoga mats companies also produce special ultra-thin and lightweight travel mats 1.5-3mm. They can not be folded, but folded into a suitcase, like a towel.
ABOUT THE MATERIAL. THE MOST INTERESTING.
EVA
The cheapest of all rugs. These rugs are made from a modern polymer - ethylene vinyl acetate (the so-called foamed rubber) and often have an unpleasant odor.
Lightweight and easy to carry. The price starts from 300 rubles.
Cons: Very difficult to straighten after twisting. Tears easily and crumbles easily. Slippery.
Pvc
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) More durable than EVA. Usually thick. Due to the thickness, it is inconvenient to wear to group classes. It is inconvenient to perform balance asanas. Less slippery than EVA. Tight, does not stretch.
Also inexpensive.
TPE
Thermoplastic elastomer mats. Most popular yoga mats. Pleasant to the touch, lightweight, elastic, non-slip and fairly durable. The cost is from 1500 rubles. Due to their strength and ease of cleaning, they are ideal for outdoor activities.
Rubber.
Of all the mono materials, the slips are the least. Hands seem to stick to the surface. The most environmentally friendly and natural material: your bare hands and feet stand on the rug every day for more than an hour, it is better that the material on which they are standing does not turn out to be toxic.
They are less suitable for outdoor activities than TPE due to the porous structure. Dirt is difficult to wash off, and if there is a twig under the rug, it can pierce. The rubber rug is slightly heavier than its artificial counterparts.
Rubber and cork: combination mat
Materials are often combined to achieve the best effect. One of the best options is natural rubber and cork. They are very durable, durable, non-slip and as natural as possible. There are also versions of rubber + TEP, but these rugs are perforated and take a long time to restore their shape, which means, for example, in sarvangasana, the shoulders and spine will hurt.
What to do if palms and feet quickly sweat and slip even on cork and rubber?
Professional rubber mat with built-in jute threads. The threads will create additional relief and absorb some of the moisture. This is the only salvation option for those who have a lot of sweaty hands and feet.
What to do when you receive a new rug?
I would like to test it as soon as possible and start practicing, but first you need to wash off the factory layer of soap treatment from it. As a rule, all rugs come in it so as not to be damaged during storage and transportation. Needless to say, this treatment makes any rug as slippery as soap.
How to care for your rug?
Next, it is better to get into the habit of getting up on it, washing your hands and feet, and once a week sprinkle water with a few drops of tea tree oil from a spray bottle. Other oils can be added if desired - for example, sandalwood will help you tune in to the practice and focus.
In the studio we wash the rubber mats from the steamer, immediately cleaning and disinfecting all its pores.