Yoga mat: which one to choose?

Why do we need a yoga mat? Its surface does not slip, which means that during the execution of the asanas your hands and feet will not go anywhere, and you will be able to fully focus on practice, and not on keeping an unreliable balance.

In addition, if you practice yoga regularly, a personal yoga mat becomes the same subject of personal use as, say, a toothbrush. This is a matter not only of hygiene, but of energy. Still, yoga is not just a form of fitness, but also (more precisely, first of all) spiritual practice.

So, how to choose the most comfortable yoga mat? First, pay attention to the dimensions of the rug. To find out optimal length of the mat, add to your height 5-10 cm (for quietpractice) or 20-40 cm (for dynamic). For most people of average height, mats 180-185 cm long will suffice. If nature has endowed you with high growth, you need to take an elongated mat (200-220 cm). Rugs in length 170-175 cm are suitable only for children and miniature people not more than 160 cm tall.

Standard yoga mat width - 60 cm, there are enlarged mats 80 cm wide,but most people of the standard width is enough. The thickness of the rug for yoga is also important. The rug should not be too thick, otherwise it will not let you fully feel your body, but this too thin mat will let the cold from the floor, distracting you from your studies. therefore optimum mat thickness - 4-6 mm.

It is also very important to pay attention to mat's ability to absorb moisture. If you sweat during exercise, and your matfor yoga does not absorb this sweat, you will certainly begin to slide. Therefore, it is best to choose a mat not made of PVC (such mats do not absorb sweat badly), but from natural materials. It can be a yoga mat made of cotton or natural rubber and jute fibers.

In general, the only weighty advantage of PVC mats is their low price. If you are serious about doing yoga, it is better to buy A rug is more expensive, but of high quality material. Of course, there are good mats of artificial materials, but if they are really good, they will not be much cheaper than natural eco-rugs.

A good yoga mat does not slip, does not stretch and does not attract attention. Do not choose a mat, focusing on itcheerful coloring. During the lesson you should not be distracted, including the rug. The ideal yoga mat has a neutral color, and during the lesson you do not notice it, completely concentrating on practice.

So, you bought a yoga mat. Does he need any special care? If it is a mat made of artificial material, Before the first lesson, it needs to be washed in a washing machine or manually. The fact is that for storage such mats are covered with special grease so that they do not stick together. If you do not wash it off, in the lesson you will slide. Mats from natural materials do not need to be washed.

For storage yoga mat can be rolled into a tube. This should be done by the upper side outwards, otherwise its edges will bend upwards over time. You can not fold a rug - over time, it will appear grooves from the folds,in places of folds, it wears out faster. It is best to buy a special case and store a yoga mat in it, so it will not unwind. Yes, and the occupation of wearing a rug in a case will be much more convenient.

As the dirt rug can be washed - with hands or in a typewriter. But in this case Do not use detergents, t. they are absorbed into the mat and poorly washed. If the mat is not too dirty, you can simply wipe it with a damp cloth. Rugs of jute to wash in a typewriter or soak it is impossible.