| If you are just starting your yoga practice, one of | | | | making it a good balance of durability and comfort. |
| the first decisions you'll need to make is what kind of | | | | You'll want a non-slip backing of something called PER |
| yoga mat to buy. So below you'll find descriptions of | | | | which is an eco-friendly material that contains no |
| some of the different kinds that are available as well | | | | formaldehyde or heavy metals and is static free and |
| as an outline of some of the advantages and | | | | resistant to mildew. |
| disadvantages to consider when buying your yoga | | | | Some people report that this mat allows for a good |
| mat. | | | | grip and is free of that rubbery smell, but can feel |
| Plastic Yoga Mats | | | | itchy at first until you wear it in a little. And, after |
| Most people begin with a plastic yoga mat, maybe | | | | about a year of pretty frequent use, some bits of |
| because they are highly promoted or because they | | | | the material start to come off from wear. |
| tend to be cheap. Unfortunately they are not the | | | | Rubber Yoga Mats |
| most comfortable because they are thin and and do | | | | Made from biodegradable, natural rubber, this kind of |
| not provide a lot of cushion. In addition, they smell | | | | mat offers good traction for performing postures |
| like chemicals which isn't really conducive to good | | | | such as the downward dog and triangle pose. This |
| health and they won't make hard-core | | | | mat's dense, high-rebound cushion is soft and |
| environmentalists happy. | | | | comfortable, so you can extend your yoga routine |
| Bottom line: If you're not sure you are in yoga for | | | | without compromising your joints. It is also free of |
| the long haul, this mat is ok for beginners with the | | | | cadmium, lead, phthalates, and PVC, making it |
| suggestion that you put a towel over it when you're | | | | environmentally benign as compared to many other |
| using it and don't leave it in the hot sun. | | | | yoga mats and it comes in an array of colors. |
| Foam Yoga Mats | | | | Be sure not to get synthetic rubber which is liable to |
| These mats are typically made out of PVC and are | | | | have health detriments. Natural rubber mats could be |
| also cheaper than most mats. They're fairly durable | | | | a problem for you if you're allergic to latex, but they |
| and easy to find in a large variety and they are also | | | | do make phthalate-free and latex-free mats for a bit |
| easy to wash (usually just with a cloth). They aren't, | | | | more in cost. |
| however, the most environmentally friendly mat and | | | | Woven Grass Yoga Mat |
| they also have a chemical smell. Actually they are | | | | This Japanese-style mat is all natural typically a |
| used more for tumbling mats for kids. | | | | straw-color and ideally with a reinforced double |
| Cork Yoga Mats | | | | woven rush grass Goza floor mat. It is definitely |
| These mats are environmentally friendly as well as | | | | eco-friendly and can be used as a throw rug, or roll |
| anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-static, sound absorbing, | | | | up as well as take with you as a portable yoga mat |
| fire retardant and anti allergenic (so the manufactures | | | | People who love natural materials enjoy this kind of |
| claim). As a result, the cork mat is ideal for those | | | | mat and some have said that if you have trouble |
| with sensitive skin and people who are prone to | | | | with the "straw" smell, use some lavendar oil or |
| allergies. Cork is also a material that can be harvested | | | | FeBreeze on it. |
| with virtually no environmental impact from a source | | | | Cotton Yoga Mats |
| that is completely renewable. | | | | Cotton mats are made from a natural fiber and they |
| On the downside, cork yoga mats are made from | | | | come in a variety of colors, sizes and thickness. They |
| porous plants and therefore are prone to absorb | | | | do, however absorb your sweat and stain easier, so |
| your sweat which may create an odor issue. It also is | | | | you'll have to clean them often and you have to be |
| debatable about how long it will actually last before | | | | careful of the slip factor on hard floors. Actually |
| you need to buy a new one. | | | | cotton is a fabric that a majority of yogis agree on |
| Jute Yoga Mats | | | | as a good choice for a yoga mat. |
| Jute is a natural fiber plant grown primarily in India, | | | | What ever yoga mat you choose, get out there and |
| Bangladesh and China and it is a highly versatile fiber. | | | | have some fun with Yoga! |
| It combines breathability with high tensile strength, | | | | |