Practice Preference And Thickness
The style of yoga you perform also has a big role to play when you are out searching for a yoga mat. For example, if you practice Restorative Yoga classes, you will need a thicker mat for passive poses. Using thick mats will help you seat more comfortably.
You can even continue with the reclined postures for a long time without feeling uncomfortable. If you follow the Bikram or Anusara style of yoga- which are more rigorous and involve flowing yoga poses- you will always need a thinner yoga mat.
This helps to maintain stability and balance by keeping your feet grounded to the floor. Also, wider mats are required in these types of yoga as you move more quickly in these yoga sequences.
How To Pick The Right Yoga Mat
Choosing the right yoga mat can be confusing, particularly for a beginner. Once you start looking into buying a yoga mat, you will find thousands of options.
Picking the right yoga mat for a beginner depends on the type of yoga you are going to do and where you will be doing it. Most of us stop at the cost, so today, well take a look behind the price tag.
In this article, well look at each of these in more detail. By the end, you should have a clear idea about the best yoga mat for your practice.
The Thickness Of The Yoga Mat
I think this is the most important and special to pay attention to an aspect of Yoga mats.
The thickness of a Yoga mat describes its cushioning and stability. A thicker and padded mat offers more comfort for your knees, wrists, bump and makes you enjoy Yoga without getting hurt.
On a hard floor or grounds, it is hard to do stable Yoga. You cant make the pose right for the time you suppose to do, especially in standing asana and inversions.
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Different Levels Of Practice Different Thickness Requirements
The thickness of the yoga mat on the market is 1mm, 3mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm. 6mm is suitable for all levels of practitioners, and after practice to a certain level, you can change the thickness of the mat on your own.
For yoga beginners, it is recommended to choose a 6-8mm thick yoga mat. 6-8mm can ensure that the knee joints are not harmed and can maintain the balance to a greater extent! For intermediate yoga practitioners, it is recommended to choose a 3-5mm thick yoga mat; for professional yoga enthusiasts. It is recommended to select a 1-3mm thick yoga mat.
The advantages and disadvantages of thick cushions are both thick; thickness can protect the yoga practitioner from injuries and sprains during practice, but a too thick mat will decrease the balance. For example, when practicing the standing three-dimensional pose, stepping on a thick and soft mat, the roots of the feet on the ground are not easy to fix, the feet are not stable, and the body naturally tends to sway. Like a tree cannot stretch and grow well if its roots are not firm, so in yoga, without roots, the practice can only stay on the surface and not go deeper. As we practice more profound and deeper, our awareness will slowly increase, and to better find the feeling of every part of our body; we will choose a mat that is thinner and thinner so that our body can contact the earth to the greatest extent. This is the reason why professional yogis have thinner mats.
Other Key Considerations When Buying A Yoga Mat
A good yoga mat should be sticky to provide a good level of grip. There are several other factors youll want to keep in mind when choosing a yoga mat, these include:
- Material Yoga mats come in many materials including natural rubber, cork, and many plastics. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind such as grip, absorbency, etc.
- Durability You want a mat that will last. There is nothing worse than a mat that develops wear when you regularly do poses such as downward dog.
- Eco-Friendly Keep your conscience clean by purchasing an eco-friendly mat made from sustainable materials. This also ties into durability as you dont want to be frequently replacing it.
- Overall Quality Cheap yoga mats are never a good idea. You want a good quality mat that lies nice and flat and provides a good amount of firmness for your poses.
- Price Of course as with all things in life, price is an important consideration. With yoga mats, you get what you pay for so a premium brand like Manduka, Liforme, or Lululemon will be well worth it in the end.
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The 5 Best Extra Long Yoga Mats For Tall People
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When it comes to their mats, tall yogis want the same level of quality, comfort, and security as everyone else does â they just also want a little extra real estate, too. The best extra long yoga mats for tall people are just as non-slip, cushioned, and durable as a well-made standard one. They’re just bigger, because Savasana isn’t half as relaxing when your head’s hanging off the top.
A standard-sized yoga mat is 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. For someone of an average height, that’s plenty of room to do a full sun salutation and still end up on the mat â but if you’re taller, that’s not going to cut it. Unfortunately, most mats that are marketed as “extra long” are only 72 inches, which is just 4 inches longer than the standard. For that reason, yoga mats for men or yoga mats for people over 6 feet can be pretty tough to find.
That being said, it’s not impossible. They are out there, and a few of them come with all the features you’d want if you were shopping for quality as well as size. These five mats span from 72 to 85 inches long, and they’re some of the best available, whether you’re looking for longevity, value, comfort, pro-level traction, or tons of space.
Different Types Of Yoga Mats Available
You should know the different types of yoga mats to do different kinds of yoga exercises. All kinds of mats are prepared to be used in a variety of yoga styles.
If you are doing a style of yoga that wants to jump from one form to another, you will need every thick one that gives you a cushion and firmness. If you sweat a lot of yoga practice, you may need a mat that can be vacuumed.
Other considerations when buying a yoga mat are more of your personal choices. Many people prefer a natural rug made of hemp to feel closer to nature.
But since these species can cause allergic reactions to some people, you should be careful with this conclusion You must ensure that your mat contains a type of anti-slip material located on the bottom that sticks to the floor.
That may assist you to stay where you are while you try to maintain your positions during yoga class. He wants to feel that he has a fixed base and that he will not move on the floor.
To be comfortable during your yoga class or workout sure you need the best yoga mat, but you need also best quality yoga pants
we hope that our review will help you in that.
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How Do You Clean And Maintain A Yoga Mat
Cleaning your yoga mat is easy. You can make use of a terry cloth rag or a damp sponge together with a spray bottle to apply a mixture of water and dish soap for cleaning.
You can wipe the soiled parts of your mat with this solution and rinse it off with clean water. You can finally hang your mat outdoors and let it air dry.
Best Foam Mat: Heathyoga Non Slip Yoga Mat
This TPE foam mat is dense and comfortable. At a super affordable price under $50, this is a great option for beginners or for those with a latex-allergy. I especially love the body guides on the surface of the mat to keep beginners aligned in poses.;
This mat is large and wide with a diamond-shaped grip on the top. The ultra-grippy underside that stays put on any flooring type. Your knees and wrists stay super comfortable in the dense foam without sinking in or denting the mat. Its also nice and stretchy so it wont tear against the resistance of the powerful Downward Dog. And a carrying strap is included!
Pros
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Other Factors To Consider When Choosing A Yoga Mat
Other than the length and width of yoga mats, there are still some factors that you should consider when looking for a new yoga mat.
You should certainly consider where you are going to practice yoga. If you are going to practice yoga in the comfort of your home, you can go ahead and choose the yoga mat size that is most suitable for your height. Remember, you want a yoga mat from which you wont slide out during your practice.
On the other hand, you wont get that much flexibility at a yoga studio, as they tend to be small and crowded with other practitioners. That instantly means that you should be mindful of others, so it might not be a good idea to bring an ultra-long and ultra-wide yoga mat to a studio. Of course, that applies if the yoga studio you are practicing in is regularly full of people and has less space.
Other than these, always consider what your budget for a yoga mat is. With all that in mind, you will be able to choose a suitable yoga mat for your height.
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We hope that you learned how long should your yoga mat be, depending on your height. Now, we want to notify you that we can design custom yoga mats for you free of charge.
Have any questions about yoga mats or the practice itself? Dont hesitate to contact us via email or live chat.
What Size Of Yoga Mat Should You Choose
When it comes to choosing the right size yoga mat, simply use your own physical dimensions to guide you. As someone who is 5 9, I personally prefer a 24 x 72 mat. That gives me three extra inches to play with.
If maximum comfort is your goal, select a mat that is 1-3 inches taller than you are. If youre six feet tall or more, you may want to think about trying an 84-inch mat.
Folks who are on the bigger side or have especially broad shoulders may want some extra width as well. Its frustrating to start a new physical activity like yoga and then find that its gear wasnt designed with you in mind! So consider a 28- or 36-inch wide mat in that case.
Consider also whether youll be practicing yoga at a studio or doing a home yoga routine. At home, you have the freedom to choose any size you like, whereas if you visit a small yoga studio, a massive mat may not be best.
While you probably wont get kicked out for bringing a 36 x 84 mat to a studio, having such a large mat that requires an additional foot in each direction could be annoying to your fellow classmates. Then again, thats only a concern if your class is completely full on a regular basis and floor space is at a premium.
Also keep in mind that longer and wider mats will be slightly more expensive as well, due to the extra material required. So budget is always a factor.
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What Is The Standard Yoga Mat Size
An average yoga mat should be 24 inches wide and 68 to 72 inches long . This is the yoga mat size people feel most comfortable practicing on. To translate this into height metrics, 68 inches equals 58, while 72 inches equals 6 feet. That means that the standard yoga mat will be suitable for most of the population.
When it comes to the thickness of yoga mats, there are different categories. Lightweight yoga mats fit for carrying around are usually 1,5 mm thick. Standard yoga mats start from 3 mm of thickness. If you have back or knee pain, or just want overall better balance, there are 4 to mm thick yoga mats.
Even if you are 6 feet tall , the comfort of yoga practice will significantly increase if you get a yoga mat that is a few inches longer than your actual height.
However, the standard yoga mat size will be an excellent fit for you if your height is below 6 feet.
Is A 6mm Yoga Mat Suitable
A standard yoga mat measures around 3 to 4 mm in thickness. A 6 mm mat is, therefore, a suitable option. Pilates mats are actually thicker than this but they are also heavy and bulky.
The most important thing to consider when choosing thickness is whether a mat sufficiently protects your body parts from strain or damage. Because 3 to 4 mm is the industry standard, a 6 mm should be suitable for most people.
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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 longer yoga mat; if your joints give you trouble, choose a thicker yoga mat of 6-10mm; and if you will practice in the park or on the sand, choose a cotton yoga mat 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: 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.
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Other Tips To Consider
When searching for your top mat option in reference to size consider also where you practice. If you regularly attend classes in a studio, especially one that is crowded, this may dictate your need for a larger mat to provide more space between you and another person.
A mat serves as your own oasis as well, and allow you to center yourself in a space you have personally claimed. This is important when you practice surrounded by distractions to help keep you focused and grounded.
Some other things to keep in mind:
- The size of the mat may also determine how easy it is to take it with you. Larger mats will weigh more, but convenient carrying solutions also exist.
- Be sure your mat is padded enough, but not overly padded that you find yourself struggling with balance.
- Choose a mat that is reflective of you! Many come in fun colors, patterns, and various materials that fit your own environmental awareness and comforts.
- Be sure your mat has a good grip to help keep you from slipping while you hold difficult poses.
- Look for value, not budget. Quality mats are available in a wide range of prices, but you still want to look for one that will last and not fall apart with regular use. They are meant to be used regularly and should hold up to being used and move from one place to the next.
How To Choose A Yoga Mat
This article was co-authored by Ellen East. Ellen East is a certified yoga instructor and owner of Studio 4 WholeHealth in Hartwell, Georgia. She received her 200RYT certification from Yoga Alliance and has been a yoga practitioner for over 25 years. This article has been viewed 118,247 times.
If you’re interested in yoga, you’ll need a mat. Yoga mats come in a variety of lengths and textures and are made from many different materials. If you want a yoga mat, you should consider a variety of factors. Think about your personal needs, especially in regards to the type of yoga you perform. You should also think about the type of material you want. Also, think about the physical aspects of the mat, like texture and thickness.
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