On The Mat - How To Find Your Perfect Yoga Mat
When you start getting really into yoga/pilates/any mat exercise, you start to feel the need to find a yoga mat that will work for you and your needs. I, for example, found the original cheap mat I bought so slippery that it was nearly impossible for me to do some things once I started getting hot and sweaty. Other mats can be too thick/thin or too heavy, but once you find a mat that fits you, it's wonderful!
To find your perfect mat, you should first decide what you want from it. Do you need extra grip or extra thickness? Maybe you need something that won't pick up the dirt from your floor or one that's easy to clean. Maybe you really want something that is eco friendly or from a local store or something with a groovy pattern to get you inspired. Make a list of the things you want from your mat and bare this in mind when looking at them.
Step Two for finding the right mat for you is to trial some mats. Take a look at your friends' or teachers' mats, have a feel of the material, decide what you think of the colours (perhaps you like a bright, inspiring orange, or maybe a calming blue is more your style), see how heavy it is to carry around. It is important to play with different brands, types and styles of mats before you make a big investment in one - some mats can be quite expensive.
Once you've worked out which brands or styles you like, head online or to a store to see what other options are available and check out the price. Like I said, some mats are pretty expensive, but they're most likely more grippy and a lot better for the environment.
My Mat
I have had my mat for at least a year now, and I love it! I have a Jade coloured mat from Jade Yoga. Jade Yoga is great because they're committed to both the environment and producing top quality mats. This mat is made from eco-friendly rubber and has plenty of grip. However, it is quite heavy and a little difficult to clean as any liquids get soaked into it. Jade Yoga have loads of mats, blocks and towels to suit your Yoga/Pilates needs, as most mat brands do.
Other popular brands with high quality mats include Manduka and Gaiam, but to be honest, there are so so many!
Something to note:
A lot of cheaper yoga mats are made out of PVC - a nasty type of plastic that is both harmful to create and destroy. It cannot be recycled. So keep an eye out and make sure you do NOT buy one of these! Invest in something that won't take a toll on the environment!
That's all for today, but feel free to comment your thoughts or stories/experiences! Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Insta and subscribe to our monthly newsletter for all the latest news.
Namaste folks x
P.S. For more info on Yoga Mats, check out this review on a whole bunch of them.
