Benefits of Using a Yoga Mat

The origin of yoga can be traced back more than 5,000 years ago to Northern India and there are many benefits to be gained from practising yoga in our modern times - both physically and mentally

A key benefit of using a yoga mat is comfort - having a soft surface to practise on is obviously much more desirable than having to stand, kneel or lie on a hard bare floor. A mat lets you carry out your various yoga poses without the risk of injuring yourself or experiencing discomfort on your knees, elbows and other parts of your body.

Most yoga mats are slip-proof, allowing you to practise your moves safely with no risk of sliding on the floor. Some mats have a greater level of stickiness than others making ideal for styles of yoga which involve complex and complicated poses. A mat really is the best accessory to provide the grip your help your toes, fingers and hands require.

Another significant benefit of using a yoga mat relates to traction. It's vital to have good traction when you are carrying out poses and a mat certainly provides that. Without adequate traction you would run the risk of sliding or falling. Feeling confident that your feet are steady and stable allows you to focus on your breathing and concentrate more on your yoga moves.

A yoga mat will help to keep your body warm and energy flowing through your body will not be passed to the floor. A mat offers a desirable cushioning effect. A mat will allow your muscles to retain their warmth, which ultimately makes bending and stretching more pleasant and safe.

These mats are carefully designed to offer just the right amount of depth to protect your knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, head and neck. Mats with a layer of memory foam are ideal for relieving pressure points in all yoga poses.

Yoga mats have just enough depth and springiness to help improve your balance. Their soft surface lets your feet or hands sink in slightly to allow better support.

The majority of yoga mats are very durable and are capable to standing up to the wear and tear directed at them by even the most dedicated yogis. 

Owning a mat also allows you to create your own clearly defined area to practice. If you attend a yoga class you will quickly see the benefit of everyone unrolling their mat to do their workout in the own designated area of the room.

Most yoga mats are easy to clean and many are machine-washable. This means you can attend each yoga session with a clean mat which is free of germs and sweat from previous workouts.

As you can see there are many advantages to using a yoga mat - these mats are made from a range of different materials including sticky foam, jute, cork, hemp and natural rubber - so it makes sense to take some time to find the mat that's just right for you.