Yoga mats, which one do I get for myself? What color? What texture. The relationship you have with your mat is very important to set your success during practice. This blog is going to discuss your yoga mat and the relationship with it.
There are so many varieties of mat from thing, to think, bright to light to those with pictures. The importance of picking the mat for you can not be underscored. You want to sit on a mat that inhances your presence, and calm.
How do I even begin to pick a mat. Go to a yoga class and try some of the mats that the studio’s supply. Find out what texture and thinkness you like from there. Next decide what kind of yoga class will you be using your yoga mat for. Will the class be a restorative class, vinyasa flow or a hot yoga class? Each one is uniquely different. You can find a middle ground that works for various types.
Once you have picked your mat type, texture, pick a color that soothes you both in class and brings a calm to you. You’ve bought your mat and have taken it home. Take time to sit on your mat. Find out how it makes your feel laying down, sitting and standing on it. Does it move when you transition positions? Does the mat support your when your on your knees. Spend time with your mat before you take it to our first class.
When you think of your mat, it should start to set you up for calming and presence building just on the thought. If your allergic to off gasing from mats, feel free to let it sit outside for a few days or another room where it can air out.
Your relationship with mat maters and can make the difference when you need to stay focus, not get distracted and find the moments to release, build and get stronger within your practice. When is it time to replace my mat. As you taking classes, there will come a point where the mat begins to break, shed or tear. It is inevitable that replacements occur. You can still use your mat for yoga classes that are slower in movement classes like Yin yoga, Restoraive yoga or Yoga Nidra.
As long as you bring your mat with you, your relationship with your yoga mat endures, facilities deeper meaning and guides you into places that deepen your practice. Most yoga intructors can give you recommendation and ideas on what might help you. Do not rush through this process, allow yourself to build in this relationship.
Spend your time this month cultivating a relationship with your mat, in 2024.