Yoga Mats
What to
Look for in a Thick Yoga Mat
 Yoga is fast
becoming a very popular form of exercise. Practically
anyone can begin yoga no matter their age or size. And the
best part is you don't need a lot of equipment to
participate. About the only thing you want to have when
you practice yoga is a thick yoga mat.
Yoga mats come in different sizes and materials as well as
colors and patterns. I guess since there isn't a lot of stuff
involved, manufacturers have made yoga mat design an important
factor. Colors and patterns are nice but what is really
important about a yoga mat is the material is made out of and
the thickness.
A thick yoga mat is
something you want to have while practicing your yoga poses to
cushion your body from the floor. Many yoga poses involve
having you put your full weight on your knees and spine while
they are on the floor. This can become quite uncomfortable if
your yoga mat is too thin.
So, what constitutes a thick yoga mat? Not as much as you might
think. A thick yoga mat is 1/4 inch thick whereas a regular
yoga mat is 1/8 inch thick. So we're really only talking an
eighth of an inch difference. But an eighth of an inch can make
all the difference in the world. Thick yoga mats will tend to
be a little bit heavier than regular yoga mats due to their
thickness. But they are still fairly manageable to carry.
Next you will want to look for a yoga mat that has "open cell"
construction. This means the mat will be less slippery and will
also have less of a rubbery smell that most yoga mats have
right out of the box. Thick yoga mats come in many different
materials but most are made out of synthetic rubber. There are
natural yoga mats made out of cotton, jute and natural rubber.
If the saving the environment is important to you, there are
many options to choose from.
The main thing to remember when choosing a thick yoga mat is
you want your mat to be 1/4 inch thick. Then decide on what
type of material you prefer and lastly, decide on a color
and/or pattern for your thick yoga mat. Remember, you'll want
to be able to pick it out among a dozen or more other yoga
students when you're in a class!
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