A yoga mat, sometimes called an exercise mat, is a little, pliable piece of foam used for physical activity. Yoga mats were traditionally used for practicing yoga. Yoga requires the use of a mat. Its surface is sufficiently sticky to hold you in place even in odd positions and shield your joints from impact when you land on a hard floor.
You will feel discomfort when performing any floor exercise, including yoga, ab exercises, and stretching. Humans naturally have bony, sharp joints, such as the lower back, knees, and elbows. These bodily parts hurt, and you run the danger of hurting yourself when they are pressed against a hard floor.
A matting shields you from harm and your floor from damage. You want everything to stay intact, whether your living room floor or a wholly equipped home gym. You risk losing control when pushing yourself too hard during ab exercises like kettlebell twists, which could leave a mark or scuff on your floor. A thick, high-quality yoga mat can cushion the blow of anything you hurl at it and keep your house safe. When working out on the carpet, a mat will shield your skin from potential friction burns.
Benefits of Using a Yoga Mat
Yoga
Of course, you can do yoga on a yoga mat. It shields your floor and joints and keeps you anchored when stretched into unsteady postures. You will undoubtedly trip and fall at some point when trying a new or challenging pose. When this does occur, a high-quality mat will prevent you from injuring yourself.
Stretching
Your muscles may need to be stretched if they feel weak, stiff, or exhausted. Since most stretches require you to be on the floor, a yoga mat is also beneficial here. A mat is another tool you can employ to improve your mobility.
Ab Work and Floor-Based Exercises
Exercises include glute bridges, sit-ups, and push-ups. A mat will be a terrific addition to your home gym if you incorporate floor-based exercises into your workout regimen. They’re also excellent for dynamic ab exercises where your lower back is forced to the floor, such as leg lifts and Russian twists. You’ll be more comfortable on a supple, thick mat, allowing you to push through more extended exercises and get better results. When choosing a yoga mat for bodyweight activities, one thing to think about is its proportions. Some mats are too small to accommodate your hands and arms when performing push-ups adequately.
Is a Yoga Mat Necessary?
A yoga mat is always an excellent addition to your home gym equipment if you do yoga, stretching, floor exercises, and ab work. They are inexpensive, small, easy to use, and incredibly adaptable and helpful. With a mat, you can’t go wrong; you’ll find uses for it everywhere. The yoga mat serves as more than just a practitioner’s tool. The yoga mat is where our thoughts can find some mental space away from everyday existence’s hectic, stressful, and erratic aspects.
History of the Mat
Angela Farmer is among the most renowned and esteemed yoga instructors globally. She has spent more than 40 years as a yoga instructorr. She underwent surgery when she was young, which left her unable to sweat from her hands or feet. Have you ever done yoga on a hardwood floor during the incredibly dry winter month? How your hands and feet flow about is almost tragicomical in a yogic way. The downward dog and standing positions are pretty slick.
Despite her health issues, Farmer continued to practice under BKS Iyengar during his London teaching days in the 1960s. He refused to let her use a foam mattress or give herself wet hands or feet for traction. In 1968, while teaching in Munich, she encountered a thin underlayment from a carpet manufacturer. It was the ideal answer to her dilemma. Her yoga mat with a carpet underlay quickly gained popularity among her pupils after she moved back to London. After some time, Angela’s father connected with the German carpet plant proprietor and started the first yoga mat shop, operating out of his Vancouver Island house.
According to Angela Farmer, the yoga mat was meant to be a therapeutic tool. A medical problem was relieved by the mat’s stickiness.
Choosing the Right Yoga Mat
The yoga mat is more than just a surface that sticks to you. The mat defines your space. It would help if you customized your mats to represent better who you are as a practitioner. It involves more than just choosing the appropriate hue. We must choose between a PVC mat and an “eco” mat. Additionally, we must select the mat’s dimensions, thickness, mobility, and designs. We could have a Mysore rug, the newest super-eco, mega-grip, John Friend Manduka mat, or a $10 PVC mat from Walmart with an image of a lotus blossom.
The yoga mat functions as a barrier. It divides our space apart. No one is allowed to walk on my mat. They are unable to extend their arms into “my” yoga pose. Yoga workshops and classes packed with people provide an entertaining look into the world of dedicated yoga studios. As they go to the restroom, they see individuals tiptoeing over rows of mats and bobbling through bolsters and water bottles. It could be more brilliant.
Rather than being mired in a skin-limited and constrictive notion of the self, we are practicing opening up the bounds of the self and learning to feel expansiveness. And we’re operating from within the boundaries of our individual, vibrantly colored, private, rectangular yoga studios.
Options and Uncontrollability
Suppose yoga represents a human freedom technology. Being free implies being able to choose for yourself and being aware of your possibilities. Sometimes, we make a decision to submit to someone else’s authority.
Thus, the issue here is not whether to use mats. It involves assessing our choices and occasionally examining the presumptions we bring to the table. Our yoga practice can become an intentional practice of liberation the more aware we are of our presumptions.
Although various variations in yoga and related disciplines exist, using a yoga mat is a common element. Everybody has distinct needs that help them feel comfortable practicing because we all have different body types and activities.
The popularity of yoga has also led to an increase in the solidity, texture, and quality of yoga mats. It isn’t easy to choose which kind of yoga mat is ideal because so many options are available.
Proper posture and maintaining your balance while doing yoga requires a high-quality yoga mat. You want something sufficiently sticky if your yoga practice causes you to sweat so you don’t slip on the mat. Naturally, we all desire a mat with adequate cushioning to safeguard our bodies and joints.
To assist consumers in deciding, Consumers Advocate.org, an online resource that evaluates everything from the most excellent car insurance to the best yoga mats, thoroughly investigated the top types of yoga mats.
After examining the various mats, they graded them using the following criteria:
Ability to Traction
The crew tested the mats to determine their thickness, weight, comfort level, and ability to maintain traction in wet and dry conditions.
Environmentally Friendly Mat
They valued eco-friendly mats because of their little environmental impact and lack of hazardous chemicals. Plastic mats are not recommended since they harm our bodies and the environment.
The Cost and Worth of the Mat
The crew examined mats at all price points and evaluated each mat’s worth. Eco-friendly mats cost more, but they last a lot longer.
The Mats’ Layout
Additionally, the mats were examined to see how well-made, durable, sweat absorbing, and easily cleaned they were. Yoga mats were left outside to observe how they fared in the sweltering summer heat. The team also examined the businesses to ensure they were dedicated to environmental concerns and had a good reputation.
Yoga mats created to be the best eco-friendly and premium mats after adding up all the results. A comprehensive list of the best ten yoga mats through research and yoga practice on various mats. Of course, the kind of mat you select will depend on your body type and the style of yoga you practice, but knowing what to look for in a yoga mat can be significantly aided by reading the results.
The Best Ten Yoga Mats
Rubber, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), cork, natural fibers like cotton or jute, and other materials are commonly used to make commercial yoga mats. Depending on the material used to make it, a commercial yoga mat may include different chemicals.
Mats made of PVC
Many individuals purchase the least expensive yoga mat—typically a PVC mat—to save money. Cheap, widely used yoga mats made of PVC, such as those used in gyms and yoga studios, could have dangerous chemicals like phthalates to give the material flexibility. Phthalates have been connected to several health issues and are recognized as endocrine disruptors.
People who use PVC yoga mats run the risk of ingesting, inhaling, or coming into touch with phthalates through skin contact. It is possible to inhale phthalates when doing yoga on a heated mat because this releases phthalates into the air.
Phthalates are linked to several health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and infertility. In addition to their harmful effects on development and reproduction, phthalates have also been linked to cancer in certain studies.
It is typically advised to avoid items that contain phthalates wherever feasible, even though the health hazards linked with exposure to these compounds are still being investigated.
PVC mats should be kept out of children’s grasp.
Natural Rubber Mats
Although they might not suit everyone’s needs, natural rubber yoga mats can be a good substitute for PVC mats for some individuals. Rubber mat users who are allergic to latex should stay away from them. Specific individuals may experience allergic responses when using natural rubber rubber mats. Additionally, certain rubber mats could have a strong smell that is challenging to eliminate.
Rubber mats have some environmental problems, even though they are typically considered more environmentally benign than PVC mats. Rubber plantations have been connected to deforestation and other environmental issues, and manufacturing natural rubber can be resource-intensive. Since rubber is mainly derived from rubber trees, which is usally indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical locations, it is linked to deforestation. Large tracts of forest have been removed to allow rubber plantations to supply the demand for natural rubber worldwide. Due to the frequent uprooting of indigenous people and the destruction of their traditional ways of life, the destruction of forests also has social repercussions. An increasing movement for sustainable rubber production, which aims to reduce the adverse effects of rubber plantations on the environment and society, has emerged in response to these problems.
Rubber tree sap, collected and processed using various methods, is used to make natural rubber matting. Different chemicals may be employed to create natural rubber mats depending on the kind of rubber and how it is made. Rubber mats can contain vulcanizing agents, stabilizers, fillers, accelerants, and other chemicals. They smell strongly because of these compounds, which could make using them uncomfortable. Additionally, they might be dyed with harmful artificial colors that, when inhaled, can harm our health and release microplastics into the environment when they degrade. It’s important to distinguish between natural and synthetic rubber matting.
Mats with Synthetic Rubber
Petroleum-based polymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) make synthetic rubber matting. Materials like these will remain in the environment for a very long period because they are not biodegradable and are generated from crude oil.
SBR is a synthetic rubber frequently used in the production of yoga mats due to its strength and non-slip qualities. SBR, on the other hand, has the potential to include hazardous substances, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which could be released during use or disposal and endanger human health as well as the environment.
Yoga mats are also made from EVA, another petroleum-based material. EVA foam has good shock-absorbing qualities, is flexible, and is lightweight. However, EVA production requires hazardous chemicals like vinyl acetate and ethylene oxide, which can harm the environment and human health. Additionally, EVA is not biodegradable.
Essential Information to Know While Selecting a Natural Rubber Mat
Certain natural rubber mats might include chemicals that could be dangerous. It’s a good idea to look for rubber mats that are verified to be free of harmful compounds. Remember that the precise techniques used to gather and prepare natural rubber can differ based on the producer and the area. Certain manufacturers might employ more environmentally friendly practices like organic farming or agroforestry. Conversely, some might depend on traditional techniques with a substantial environmental impact. Searching for items verified as eco-friendly or sustainable is crucial, with certifications from groups like the Rainforest Alliance or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), while selecting a natural rubber yoga mat.
Cork Mats
Another choice is cork mats, which are considered an environmentally beneficial alternative to yoga mats. A sustainable and renewable resource, cork is primaril found in Portugal and Spain, obtained from the bark of cork oak trees. Because the tree regenerates its bark organically over time and just the outer layer is removed, cork harvesting has no adverse effects on the tree.
Cork is recyclable and biodegradable as well. Furthermore, cork naturally possesses antibacterial qualities, so it can stop germs and fungi from growing on the mat’s surface. Since cork is naturally sticky, it offers a steady surface for yoga poses. In addition to being cozy and padded, it can help lower the chance of injury.
It’s important to remember that not all cork mats are equal and that some could include extra components or chemicals that impact their safety or sustainability. It’s crucial to look for cork mats recognized as environmentally beneficial by groups like the Rainforest Alliance or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It’s also advised to carefully study product labels and avoid mats with dangerous components or chemicals.
Depending on the rubber used and the manufacturing procedure, cork mats with a rubber covering may still be environmentally benign. A natural rubber backing derived from rubber trees’ sap is a sustainable and renewable material found on certain cork mats. Other mats might have a more significant environmental impact and a backing of synthetic rubber derived from resources derived from petroleum.
Cork mats made entirely of cork or with a layer of natural rubber can be an excellent environmentally responsible choice.
Organic Cotton Mats
Mats made of organic cotton are sustainable for several reasons. First, no toxic pesticides, herbicides, or artificial fertilizers are used to cultivate organic cotton. It suggests that growing organic cotton is healthier for the health of the farmers and laborers who produce it and does not contribute to the contamination of soil and water supplies. Furthermore, using organic farming methods for cotton production supports biodiversity and preserves soil fertility.
Mats made of organic cotton can decompose spontaneously in the environment because they are biodegradable. Unlike many synthetic yoga mats, which can leak hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere and take hundreds of years to degrade, organic cotton mats are made of natural materials.
Buying organic cotton mats is one way to promote moral and ecological agricultural methods. It can lessen the need for products that hurt the environment, like PVC, and aid small-scale farmers.
Selecting organic cotton mats dyed with safe, natural colors improves the environment and people’s health. Natural colors are made from plant materials like madder root, turmeric, and indigo; they are free of the dangerous chemicals sometimes present in artificial dyes.
However, organic cotton mats may be colored with synthetic dyes, which are hazardous to human health and the environment. Petrochemicals, which are used to make artificial colors, have the potential to pollute the environment both during production and during disposal.
Furthermore, synthetic dyes can expose dye industry workers to dangerous chemicals and pollutants, resulting in health concerns like respiratory disorders, skin irritation, and even cancer. If you can get organic cotton mats locally that are dyed with natural plant-based dyes or non-toxic dyes, this will help reduce the adverse effects of synthetic dyes.
Organic cotton mats are both a sustainable and plush and cozy option. They are an excellent option for those who would instead practice on a softer surface. Additionally, absorbent cotton mats can absorb moisture and sweat during practice. Always choose organic cotton matting with a layer of natural latex applied to the bottom to ensure they are non-slip.
Doc T Elliott’s Wrap-Up
In conclusion, prioritize substance and comfort over price when selecting a yoga mat for your workout. Although they are pricey, actual eco-friendly mats ultimately benefit a clean and healthy environment. Preferred choice for yoga mats is an all-natural plant-based made of organic cotton and topped with a layer of natural rubber sap to ensure complete non-slip properties.