Finding the Best Yoga Mats

Yoga is all about feeling good from within; it’s all about being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be. Sure, other forms of exercise like cardio and hitting the gym thrice a week might give you the abs you always wished for or the toned waistline that you’d been yearning for since you were a teenager. But does that guarantee full body fitness? The answer would be NO. Only yoga can do that. Mind body and soul- yoga can enhance all three. Why else would millions worldwide opt for yoga when it comes to working out?

An hour of yoga every morning would change your life for the better. If you’re smart enough, you’ve already enrolled yourself in a class. If you’re in it for the long haul, you need to get a yoga mat asap. Unlike other forms of working out, yoga requires you to be on the floor for all the “asanas”. Naturally, you need something to form a kind of cushion. If you’re planning to buy a yoga mat, you must read on to find out how to get your hands on the best one-

Stability, Comfort and Cushion

Unless you’re practicing hot yoga, you wouldn’t need specialized yoga mats. You can just use the standard ones which are both durable and sturdy. You can get a classic oval or a designer mat and you’ll be good to go. Traction and cushion are the two main purposes of buying a yoga mat. If you want more cushion, then you definitely need a yoga mat that is thicker and heavier. Traction is more important if you’re more into balance related exercises. Naturally, you need yoga mats that have sufficient thickness to give you the support that you need.

Grip

Now if you’re working out continuously for an hour, you’re going to be sweating profusely. Top quality yoga mats are sweat proof or sweat absorbent.  They do not become slippery when you start sweating and you are able to maintain your grip. When it comes to finding the right yoga mat, you really need to check this. Some expert advice couldn’t hurt if you’re buying the yoga mat for the first time. The best option for you would be a combo mat; this provides both adequate cushion and a non-slip surface which functions perfectly even when wet.

Material, Texture and Stickiness

The kind of material you choose for your yoga mat will determine the texture, the stickiness, the sponginess, the durability and the eco friendliness. Stickiness is a must if you’re trying out certain postures. The sponginess will help you while you do poses that require you to lie down. Now the mats that you usually see in the markets are made of PVC. Why is this so popular? PVC mats are as light as a feather and provide sufficient support since they’re just the right blend of sponginess and cushion. If you’re talking about eco friendliness, do not go for the ones made of foam. Plus, no matter what they say, the foam mats are definitely not PVC. However today, you have more than one option if you want to go green. You can try out mats made of natural and recycled rubber as well. Rubber has got to be the most eco friendly substance out there, but beware; some people have claimed to be allergic to rubber.

There you go, now you’re perfectly aware of what makes a good yoga mat. These are the most important criteria that you must keep in mind while buying the best yoga mat for yourself.  With these pointers in mind, you’ll be able to judge for yourself and compare between different mats before you take the plunge.