What Is The Best Yoga Mat For Seniors
Many of us experience more joint pain and discomfort as we age, so the best yoga mats for seniors will provide a soft yet stable surface to cushion our pressure points without sliding all about. Weve tracked down the best yoga mats for bad knees, plus several other affordable accessories, such as kneeling pads and yoga gels , that can make all the difference in how you feel while moving and stretching.
With the help of this specific equipment, your knees should feel better in no time. Eventually, you may even be able to move on to a thinner yoga mat ideal for tougher balancing poses! Keep scrolling for Womans Worlds top picks for the best yoga mats and accessories for bad knees.
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What Size Of Yoga Mat Do I Need
The size and weight are something that you must consider when buying your yoga mat. As I mentioned above, you must think in advance where you will use your yoga mat. At home or in your yoga class?
As for the size, if you are very tall, there are mats that adapt to you. There is also who looks for it a little wider.
For example, the one I bought, it has measures of 61 cm x 173 cm x 1.5 to 2 mm and weighs 0.9 kg. Total light! It is super easy to store and fits anywhere, even in my backpack!
The Standard Size For Yoga Mats
For those who havent looked into yoga mats yet, lets talk about the standard sizing.
The size of the average yoga mat is 24 inches wide and 68 inches long. In regards to my own practice, Ive only done yoga on a standard size yoga mat.
However, I am 51, which is converted to approximately 61 inches, giving me 7 extra inches of length.
Personally, I feel I could use more width in certain poses, so my feet dont go off the mat when my legs are hip-width apart, but thats my own preference.
If you are my height or shorter and dont mind your hands or feet off the mat when hip width or shoulder width apart, the standard size might be the perfect size for you.
Every yoga brand makes standard sized mats, however, I highly recommend three brands in particular.
is great for the loyal customer that wants a lifetime guarantee and high quality. is another high-quality brand but is specifically targeted towards environmentalist due to its natural rubber.
For a cheaper price point, is good quality for the price and has the most variety in terms of patterns and styles.
That being said, if the standard size does not sound ideal, read onward for more information and different yoga mat options!
How Thick Should A Yoga Mat Be
If you have ever asked yourself: how thick should a yoga mat be, do not fret because most of us have wondered the same thing. The standard 1/8-inch thick yoga mat is perfect for most types of yoga practice, including Hatha and Vinyasa style. It provides the right amount of cushioning while also still being portable and easy to store.
If you prefer practicing yoga on-the-go and you want to bring your own yoga mat with you, then you should invest in a mat that is 1/16-inch in thickness. This will also give you a stronger connection to the floor, which is perfect for poses that include a lot of standing and balancing. A slightly thicker mat is recommended for those who need or prefer more support to their sensitive areas.
What Are The Best Materials For A Mat
What are the best materials for a mat?
The best materials are typically different sorts of rubber.
Without going into too much detail, youll generally want to avoid mats made with PVC. This material is not ecologically friendly. Furthermore, some of the chemicals used to make PVC mats can be toxic to humans.
If youve seen yoga mats priced between $10 and $20 then you can almost be assured its made from PVC.
Instead, aim for your mats to have materials such as:
- Natural rubber from rubber trees
- Cotton
- Hemp
- TPE
Most all of the above materials will be relatively non toxic and still have a good feel/grip to them when doing yoga.
Choosing The Right Yoga Mat Thickness
While Yoga Mats are meant to support, cushion and protect your body, many factors such as where you practice and what kind of practice you do can help you choose the right yoga mat thickness for your specific needs.
Yoga Mats vary in length, material and thickness. Although there is not a specific rule on deciding which thickness you should use, there are a few things to consider.
The Pros And Cons Of Thick Mats
Just as with thin mats, thick mats also provide a series of advantages and disadvantages that every yogi should know about before purchasing one:
- Because of the extra padding that thick mats offer, they are a better choice for people who have different medical conditions or to those who often experience pains and aches.
- Those who practice outdoor yoga will also benefit greatly from the extra cushioning provided by thicker mats, especially if the ground is not leveled or is filled with debris.
- One of the first disadvantages of buying and using a thick yoga rug is the fact that you might not get enough contact with the ground. This could stand in the way of more complicated poses, as the extra thickness prevents proper balance.
- Needless to say, thicker yoga mats are heavier and bulkier, making them more difficult to carry around.
Thin Yoga Mats 2 To 4mm
Thin yoga mats are widely loved and appreciated since they offer decent cushion upgrade over ultra-thin ones. These might not absorb fluid well, but they manage to absorb moisture. The thin mats like its ultra-thin variant, are competently flexibly, lightweight and portable. Since most of the natural fibers weigh heavy, they are usually found to be in this range of thickness. The natural fibers being naturally dense, a thickness of around 3mm allows them to provide a sufficient cushion.
Who needs thin mats?
- Anyone who travels a lot and requires decent cushioning as well.
- Intermediate to advanced level practitioners who can adjust at different cushion levels.
- Someone who wants natural fiber as a material and is willing to pay slightly higher.
- Someone who wants a multipurpose usage of both traveling and storing.
- A practitioner who prefers to feel the ground through the mat, to feel more grounded.
Why Use A Yoga Mat
The yoga mat is the basic material that we must acquire to start practicing Yoga. Yoga mat protects us from the cold of the ground and prevents our body from contacting dirt and germs on the surface. This mat will also be very useful when we do yoga outdoors because it will provide us with greater stability and comfort.
It is important that you choose a yoga mat that suits you since you must be comfortable when you perform your activities properly. With this article, we will help you buy the one that best suits you for the type of yoga you practice, your preferences and your budget. We assure you that once you acquire your yoga mat it will become essential and you will not be able to live without.
Choosing The Right Yoga Mat
Shopping for your first yoga mat or even just a new one can be an overwhelming experience. Deciding between the various materials, sizes, and thicknesses can feel like an overwhelming amount of information. This guide will cover each of these aspects and more, and should make the decision process a bit simpler.
As you read this, be mindful of who will be using this yoga mat. The yoga mat you choose should reflect your experience and dedication. Basically, if you’re new to yoga you should be looking more at basic, entry-level mats.
What Type Of Yoga Are You Practicing
If youre practicing Hatha yoga or Yin yoga, youll be okay with a more standard mat it doesnt have to be of highest quality. Youre not necessarily getting sweaty with these styles of yoga, so the traction an average mat provides will be just fine. If you practice Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Hot Yoga, then youll need to invest in a mat that will absorb your sweat and will provide super-strong traction. You can also look into adding a textured yoga towel on top of your mat.
How Patient Am I
Some mats can be at its best right after you open the packaging. However, some mats require a warm-up or break-in period, which can last from a few months to a year.
If you are not a patient kind of person, this type of performance mat might not be for you. You would appreciate a TPE or natural yoga mat much more.
But if you are not in a rush to force your mat to perform its best right away, a performance mat like bROCK yoga mat or could be a good choice. The more you practice on these mats, the better it will become later .
What To Look For When Choosing A Yoga Mat
The right yoga mat has to serve its purpose, align with your values and offer a degree of convenience. If you are taller, choose a ; if your joints give you trouble, choose of 6-10mm; and if you will practice in the park or on the sand, choose thats easy to wash.
Practically, a yoga mat needs to be:
- Made of a durable material
- Easy to clean/wash
- Symbolic drawings
- Personalised print
- Alignment markings
If you tend to sweat a lot or are planning to do a Hot Yoga class, you will need a yoga mat that has the most grip.
A calmer yoga, like Yin Yoga or Kundalini Yoga, involves a lot more sitting and laying down. To do them in comfort, you will need something softer and more insulating.
Tip: When the yoga mat gets wet it loses its grip. This is more true for synthetic yoga mats. Natural yoga mats made from cotton and cork gain more grip when wet.
Lets take a look at your options in choosing a yoga mat material
How Thick Should A Yoga Mat Be For Bad Knees
Thickness is one of the main factors when choosing a yoga mat for knee pain, as well as density. The best yoga mats for bad knees have a thickness of around 1/2 to one inch, depending on the level of knee discomfort. Were fans of the one-inch thick , though we also found this , which is a whopping 1.5-inches thick!
Youll also want to make sure your mat has a non-slip grip, like the . Were just guessing here, but should you fall due to a slippery surface or your own sweat! during an intense workout, your knees probably wont be too happy!
Is A 4mm Or A 6mm Mat Better
4mm mats are favored by people who dont need much padding when practicing yoga. A thinner mat typically lends itself to doing standing and balancing poses better. 6mm mats are preferred by people who like a bit more cushion as it lends itself to seated poses better.
Age is also a common factor for choosing thickness in a yoga mat. As our joints wear down with age we tend to lean towards thicker mats like a 6mm size. These mats make the whole process of getting up and down a bit less taxing on our bodies.
There is also something to be said for buying a thicker mat because its a bit more durable and will last longer.
How Is Environmental Sustainability Important To Me
Ahimsa, one of the Ashtanga teachings, is about non-harm practice in our relationships and our environment. Taking this into consideration, some yoga mat brands make an effort to produce socially responsible and environmentally sustainable mats.
If you try to avoid plastic yoga mats, it is highly recommended you choose a yoga mat made from natural materials. It is not just a better choice for your practice, for our planet, but also it would help keep you connected with good energy from the mat.
The fact that natural rubber yoga mats are getting much more popular in recent years is also because natural rubber is a quickly renewable resource.
Some yoga mat brands, like Beinks, have their yoga mat material sustainably sourced from South East Asia . In normal conditions, natural rubber is collected from rubber trees for about 30 years. After that, rubber trees from these local farms will be cut down for the use of wood, and new trees will be planted in original places. It is considered the best way for the sustainable growth of natural resources from agriculture.
On another note, some natural rubber yoga mats are , which means they will decompose naturally after 3 5 years in typical landfill conditions. That will help reduce the amount of waste and give more space on our planet.
Mat Texture And Stickiness
PVC mats tend to be smoother and provide good grip, while eco-friendly mats made with natural materials like jute can feel rougher on the skin. Stickiness helps keep you stable in your poses and when you transition between poses.
In general, PVC mats are best for stickiness, if theyre clean and dry. If you want to prioritize eco-friendliness but still want some traction, opt for a jute, rubber, or cotton mat that has been deliberately given a raised, tactile surface profile. These mats can help give you extra grip without the stickiness of PVC. If you find textured mats distracting to your practice, consider an organic cotton or rubber mat without the textured surface.
When The Width Of Yoga Mats Matter
In addition to the standard 24-inch width, you can also find yoga mats with 28 or 30-inch widths.
These wider yoga mats are great for those who want a little more wiggle room for poses on the back of the mat.
Plus, wider mats are great, if you need extra space for poses such as gate pose, or wide legged forward fold, where hands, legs, and feet tend to go off the mat.
This is also a good option if you want more space between you and the person next to you in class since yoga classes can sometimes be jammed pack.
One negative of longer widths is that they will not fit in a regular yoga bag. However, a with straps on each side of the rolled yoga mat would work just fine.
Also, if youre taking a yoga class, and the teacher uses the teaching cue, bring your feet mat-width apart, take notice that you will probably need to move your feet a bit inward from the sides of the mat since your mat is wider than standard.
If you think youd benefit from a wide, yoga mat, Id love for you to check out these additional suggestions.
The first I recommend is Pranas highly reviewed, , which comes in black or indigo, and is 30 inches wide and 78 inches long, perfect for yogis that are also tall.
Secondly, I have to mention that Jade Yoga makes a Fushion XW that is 28 inches long and comes in 71 or 80-inch lengths.
Sorry to sound like a broken record talking about Jade Yoga over and over, but they specialize in making yoga mats, and Jade yoga mats are amazing.
Questions To Ask When Choosing A New Yoga Mat
When youre buying a new yoga mat, ask the following five key questions. These will help you get the eco-friendly, ahimsa-friendly mat you need:
The kind of mat that works for you will depend on the style of yoga you practice. Other considerations include where you practice, your budget, and whether you prize comfort over stability. A good mat will be able to cushion your highest-impact lunges but keep you stable in your poses. Your ideal mat will also last for years without degrading and wont off-gas toxic chemicals that undo all your good work for mind and body.
Properties Of Mat Materials
Each yoga mat material has some pros and cons that make it easier for a beginner to choose a good yoga mat from multiple options available in the market. Checkpoints of mat material include stickiness, durability, thickness, texture, absorption, cell construction of a yoga mat, and the traction it provides in stretching postures. Above all that, you should keep in mind whether or not mat material is friendly for the environment.
While selecting a yoga mat, keep the following properties of mat material in mind.
Before You Make A Decision
Exhaust your resources! When browsing mats online, be sure to read the reviews to get more information about the mat. At your next yoga class, talk to a few people and ask them what they like about their mat, where they got it, and how much it was. Yoga teachers typically have a favorite mat so be sure to ask your instructor too!
Travel Yoga Mats The Super Thin Version For People With Itchy Feet
Travel yoga mats tend to be mostly paper thin somewhere around 2mm in thickness for the majority of them.
Youll tell a travel mat apart from all the others by the fact that you can fold it easily, so you can take it anywhere with you. The downside? Theres only so much cushioning it can provide; so if you use this mat straight on the floor you are likely to feel it in your wrists after a few yoga sequences or planks, especially when transitioning from downward dog to . The reason they are so thin and light is because they do exactly what it says on the tin their only purpose is to make it easy for you to travel with them. Fold your mat to fit it into your suitcase if you want to stay fit on holiday, or take it from home, to your office, then to your local studio and back home without any hassle. But, while you practice, make sure you have something underneath it such as a carpet or another workout mat to take some of the hardness of the floor away.
How Thick Should A Yoga Mat Be: Knowing The Right Thickness
The practice of yoga has been around for thousands of years. It is among the most ancient forms of exercise and is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Along with its increasing popularity came yoga mats, outfits, towels, and other yoga tools. For those who wonder how thick should a yoga mat be, read through this article to find out.
Similar to most form of exercise, yoga requires the need for certain tools and equipment in order to perform the routine safely and properly.
First, you have to invest in clothing that would allow you to move freely because yoga routines involve a lot of stretching. Wearing loose fitting clothes might result in the accidental exposure of too much skin.
The next thing yoga practitioners invest in after buying the right clothing is the yoga mat. Below, you will find everything you need to know about yoga mats and how to choose the right yoga mat for the type of practice you intend on doing.
Which Yoga Mat Would You Choose
Yoga mats are one of the most essential tools for the yoga practices. The reason is that yoga mat helps you stay balanced during the yoga poses. Once you move from one asana to another asana, the yoga mat provides you non-slippery and firm surface to place your arm, legs, and core. The main purpose of the mat is not to provide you a soft surface.
The quality of the mat is important. If the mat is so thick and soft, you will sink on the mat. Thus, you will create an extra effort to not to slip or sink. This extra effort will create more pressure on your knees, elbows, and ankles. Thick, soft and slippery mats can cause you injuries over time.
The thickness of your mat is important. If the mat is too thin, this can create injuries too. Thin mats increase the pressure to your knees and ankles. If you are a beginner in yoga, you mostly suffer from the poses when your joints are on the mat. To decrease the pressure, the yoga teachers suggest you put a blanket when you place your joints on the mat.
You can do yoga anywhere. If you are practicing at home, and feel that the mat adds to your practice, then use the mat over the carpet. Be careful that the thickness of the mat is important. It should not be so thin or thick. The mat on the thin carpet will provide you a great yoga exercise.
What do you think about doing yoga on the carpet? Have you ever experienced it? Which yoga mat for carpet would you recommend? Looking forward to your comments.
- TAGS
How Long Does A Yoga Mat Last
Because of all the stretching, sweating and balancing, your yoga mat is bound to show signs of wear and tear after extended use. The typical lifespan of a yoga mat thats used for regular practice is approximately 6 to 12 months.
However, because practice varies between individuals, it is important to stay on the lookout for signs of wear and tear so that you can get a good replacement in due time.
The Comprehensive Yoga Mat Guide
No matter where you are in your yogic journey, a great matcan help ease the way. We’ve identified the top characteristics every yogineeds to consider before making the all important purchase.
Before we dive deep, a word of caution. We have foundthroughout years of our own practice, that the most important thing to listen towhen purchasing a yoga mat is your own body. It will be the first to tell youwhat it needs to succeed, whether it be more cushion for achy knees or evenless if you can’t retain balance during specific asanas.
Why Do You Need To Consider Thickness
Thats because the thickness of your mat will decide many fundamental practice experiences. One might even add, that a mat thickness compatible with your yoga routine, will allow the yoga poses to work to their full potential.
Thickness of yoga mat simply implies to the many key characteristics of it.
