What Size Of Yoga Mat Do I Need
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Everyone who starts yoga has to ask themselves the question: What size of yoga mat do I need? Fortunately, choosing a yoga mat size is pretty easy. Theres no reason to overthink this.
You have a lot of difficult considerations when it comes to choosing a yoga mat, such as brand, cost, materials, thickness, color, etc. But length and width are among the easiest decisions to make!
For many folks, the standard yoga mat size of 24 x 68 will be fine. But well discuss the other possible yoga mat sizes, and the reasons why folks would consider buying a mat that has different dimensions. Read on!
How Long Is A Yoga Mat Good For
You can expect it to last about 9 to 12 months before it begins to smell funny. That is if you bought a cheaper $10 to $20 mat.;
More expensive mats will typically last much longer. Even upward of 5 years depending on how often you use them.;
All of this typically depends on the materials that are used.;
How A Longer Yoga Mat Can Improve Your Practice
Although there is no rule when it comes to choosing what size or length yoga mat you need to use, there are a couple variables to think about before you make a choice. There are so many different mat options, its easy to get overwhelmed and potentially choose a mat that isnt a good fit for you and your practice.
Most yoga mats are 68, so for anyone over 58 this is instantly an issue, but even for those shorter than that, it can still pose issues when doing certain poses and stretches. Youll want to consider your height as well as hip/shoulder width when choosing a mat to ensure youre able to use your mat in every position.
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Years Ago, there was only Basic type of the Yoga Mat which mainly made of PVC with solid plastic materials and very thin in thickness with one standard size,;Nowadays with hundred different modern yoga mat on the market are designed to suit every taste, activity and preference, but which best yoga mat size can really works for you?
Beyond patterns or colors the Mat required to keep you stable in your different poses or workouts your performing.It needs to fits your needs, store-able, easy transportable, made with fine quality and yet comfortable.
These features actually design your personality mat along with the correct Mat Size, are essential elements that specify if the mat suitable for you and made for your own purpose.
Use below comprehensive guide to help you find the Best Yoga Mat Size which can suit your exercises, lifestyle and budget, so you can eventually;be;happy with.
But First,
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.
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Important Features To Consider
A yoga mat should do several things well. Heres what to consider when selecting a yoga mat for your yoga sessions at home or in the studio:
The 6 Best Yoga Mats For Men
In a lot of ways, the best yoga mats for men are the best yoga mats period. Everyone wants something that’s comfortable, well-made, and conducive to a productive practice. That said, as a yogi who’s also a guy, there are a few extra selling points to look for when shopping for the ideal mat.
The first is size. On average, men in the United States are 5.4 inches taller than women, and while that may not seem significant while standing, it makes a pretty big difference during your practice. Alignment and safety are dependent on a stable, nonslip surface, and if either your hands or feet are off the mat, you risk of slipping.A standard yoga mat measures 68 inches long and 24 inches wide, but if you’re average height or above, you might consider a mat larger than this standard size and for your convenience, all of the picks below fit the bill.
The second factor is durability. You’ll want to ensure that your mat not only stands up to wear and tear, but remains supportive. Lower-quality mats are made from lightweight foams which rip or collapse under pressure, but opt for sturdier materials and your mat will likely last longer and keep you better supported.
After that, it’s all a matter of preference: Do you want a mat that’s well-suited to hot yoga?Do you find alignment charts helpful? Are you on a budget? Any color preferences?
The mats featured below fit every need and are all well-suited for men.
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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.
Manduka is great for the loyal customer that wants a lifetime guarantee and high quality. Jade Yoga is another high-quality brand but is specifically targeted towards environmentalist due to its natural rubber.
For a cheaper price point, Gaiam 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!
Laya Yoga And Kundalini Yoga
Laya and Kundalini yoga are closely associated with Hatha yoga but are often presented as being independent approaches.
According to Georg Feuerstein, Laya yoga “makes meditative absorption its focus. The laya-yogin seeks to transcend all memory traces and sensory experiences by dissolving the microcosm, the mind, in the transcendental Self-Consciousness.” There are various forms and techniques of Laya yoga, including listening to the “inner sound” , practicing various mudras like Khechari mudra and Shambhavi mudra as well as techniques meant to awaken a spiritual energy in the body .
The practice of awakening the coiled energy in the body is sometimes specifically called Kundalini yoga. It is based on Indian theories of the subtle body and uses various pranayamas and mudras to awaken the energy known as kundalini or shakti. In various Shaiva and Shakta traditions of yoga and tantra, yogic techniques or yuktis are used to unite kundalini-shakti, the divine conscious force or energy, with Shiva, universal consciousness. A common way of teaching this method is to awaken the kundalini residing at the lowest chakra and to guide it through the central channel to unite with the absolute consciousness at the highest chakra .
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Other Amenities For Your Yoga Studio
A yoga studio that is merely a 20 square feet room maybe the right size for practicing Yoga but may not necessarily be the right strategy for your yoga studio business.
It is vital for a good yoga studio to factor in some space for countertops and shelves;where the students can keep their things or mats. A;dressing room and toilets;can help the student group to arrive and practice Yoga in a clear state of mind.;
Personal lockers;can once again act as a great value addition. If the yoga studio is a large and long room, you can consider fixing an adjustable or movable room divider. Such a partition can help to create a smaller room for smaller groups, and when not used as a Yoga studio room, it can also be;opened up for other activities such as workshops.
Generally speaking, a yoga studio can also be useful for other activities such as;pilates and meditation sessions. While it is great to diversify, it is best to maintain the sanctity of the space where your members practice Yoga.
As you endeavor deeper into opening a yoga studio, you will also understand that it is;not just about creating a business plan, providing the best in class yoga mats, or even offering Lululemon vouchers. There is an innate need to;understand Yoga and its intricacies;and also have;certified, experienced yoga instructors for your business.;
Providing a tranquil, clean and conducive environment for practicing Yoga is of utmost importance.
Pick Material Of Your Mat
- Latex Free
- PVC
- Rubber
Most standard commonly yoga mats are made of PVC, which known as vinyl. Newer version of mats are more Eco-Friendly option, include recycled natural rubber or natural cotton The fabric during manufacturing is not treated with synthetic finishing a non toxic yoga mat, which is more safer for health than PVC yoga mat.
Health Guide: If you have any allergic to latex, inure its mentioned on mat instruction latex-free.If you plan to have a sticky mat, pick a mat that made of PVC, which can bear your use for more than few years.
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Extra Wide : Yoga Mats
The hunt for the perfect yoga mat can sometimes be a challenge. It is important to find the right thickness, color, length and grip. At Target, find a variety of yoga mats that will provide the support you need. Look through brands like Gaiam, Manduka and All In Motion. The Gaiam mats feature non-slip surfaces, extra cushioning for comfort and come in fun prints and colors. The Manduka mats are free of toxic chemicals and dyes and have latex-free options. They also feature reversible mats. The All In Motion mats are great for beginners and they come with a carry strap. Find a collection of eco-friendly yoga mats that are sustainable, renewable and biodegradable. Whether youre into yoga or pilates, there is a mat for everyone! Browse through a large collection of yoga mats and find the right pick for you.
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Yoga is all about enjoyment and relaxation, but when you sit on a mat so thin that you can feel your ankles digging into the floor below, its hard to focus on your breath, much less relax. Selecting the right yoga mat depends on a few factors, and once you have the ideal thickness of mat, youll be able to more easily focus on the teachers instructions.
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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.
From What Material Should My Yoga Mat Be Made
Yoga constitutes a part of the green movement, which caused many companies to create yoga equipment that would be aligned with yogis core values. That said, not every mat out there is made from eco-friendly materials. When it comes to cheaper mats from unknown brands, manufacturers tend to save up on high-quality materials and go with the cheap Polyvinyl Chloride material. While it does provide nice traction and a good cushioning, it is full of toxins that dont offer many benefits in the long run. So, if you are on a budget and cannot invest in an environmentally-conscious yoga mat, make sure to purchase a mat that at the very least is going to last you many years. This way you will be able to minimize the amount of waste you produce and contribute to a cleaner planet. In case your budget does allow for a more high-end mat, keep on reading.
One of the PVC alternatives that is worth your attention is the rubberized mat. Made from a naturally harvested rubber, this type of mat is 99% free of latex. This is definitely good news for those with latex allergies. Although yoga mats constructed from rubber are generally recognized as eco-friendly mats, it is found that the excess harvesting can result in deforestation. This is why some renowned brands like prAna and Manduka have committed to using solely the non-Amazonian rubber that would not be diverging with the main reason for creating green products.
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What Is The Best Thickness For A Yoga Mat
A regular yoga mat will be 1/8 inches thick, and oversized mats are usually ¼ inches thick. A 1/4-inch yoga mat is considered thick and comfortable enough for heavier folk who need extra support for postures that cause your bones to dig into the ground. A thickness of 1/3 inches is also a good option, but these yoga mats are rare, and some users find them too foamy and impact their balance during certain yoga poses.
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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.;
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Yogaaccessories Extra Wide And Extra Long 1/4” Deluxe Yoga Mats
Elongate your stretch on the largest yoga mat on the market! At a full 7 feet long and 3 feet wide, this mat is designed to accommodate taller yogis without compromising comfort, traction or style. Flow from pose to pose on this full 1/4″, 6.2 mm versatile exercise mat. If you’re over six feet tall, this 7-foot long mat gives you the distance you need to extend comfortably in poses like reclining pigeon. And if you have wide shoulders, the 3-foot width gives you plenty of side to side room for wide-legged forward bend. Enhance your practice with this extra space and see why our luxurious cushioning and non-slip grip have made our mats the most popular mats in yoga studios, schools, fitness clubs and at home!
We are proud to offer one of the densest mats on the market. No need to resort to larger and heavier mats, our 1/4″ mat provides superior density and rebound to even most 1/2″ mats on the market. Just give our mat a pinch and see how we stack up against the competition.
Have confidence in your workout. Our unique combination of open and closed cell material provides the perfect mixture of sweat-absorbing grip and joint-saving density.
Put your mind at ease knowing our mats are manufactured with your safety as our top priority. YogaAccessories 1/4” yoga mats are completely latex, phthalates, and heavy metal-free.
