YOGA MAT
By “sanyukta kaushik”
When I was only thirteen, the journey started. I added a yoga mat to my routine and started practicing some yoga poses when kids of this age were adding one more candle to their cakes to become teenagers. That yoga mat, which is commonly known in India as DARI, was then my closest friend. I typically do some Yogasanas and yogic kriyas recommended by our family Guru while also relaxing my body. I still recall the good times I had with my colorful yoga mat in the mornings. It shielded me from the floor’s harshness As time went on, a new mat took the place of my old one. But whenever I did yoga that day, I noticed a change in my energy. And I understood that the location, time, and yoga mat must all be the same for yoga practice. I can only share what I have personally experienced.
YOGA Dari (THICK COTTON MAT)
For me, a small, supple piece of foam used for exercise is a yoga mat, often referred to as an exercise mat. As you might have imagined, yoga was traditionally practiced on mats. Yoga is essentially impossible without a mat. In addition to shielding your joints from a hard floor, the surface is sticky enough to hold you immobile in awkward positions.
Ancient Indian Yoga Mats
As recommended by the Bhagavadgita and the Shvetashvatara Upanishad as suited for achieving enlightenment, meditational yoga was once practiced in India on kusha grass, a hard surface on earth without any cover, or on a rug made of deer or tiger skin.
my family guru
The Beginnings of The Contemporary Yoga Mat
When yoga first became popular in the West, many practitioners practiced on hardwood floors with towels or cotton mats. Because of this, it took strength to maintain one’s balance in standing poses. Feet tended to skid on these surfaces.
Yoga Mat Materials and Durability
You have a variety of options when choosing the material for your yoga mat, ranging from affordable PVC to sustainable natural rubber. The price, weight, grip, and durability of the mat will vary depending on the material you select. Generally speaking, thicker carpets outlive thinner mats.However, the material that the mat is made of also affects how long it will last.
PVC is a plastic-based substance with outstanding floor traction, is incredibly durable, and is also simple to maintain. PVC mats can, however, become slippery when you perspire a lot since they are not absorbent. Those with latex sensitivities will benefit from PVC’s lack of latex, although it is not as environmentally friendly or biodegradable as other materials.
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a synthetic mixture often comprised of rubber and plastic polymers. Some TPE mats are totally recyclable, making them potentially more environmentally friendly than PVC. TPE mats nevertheless provide good grip despite generally being less durable than PVC mats of the same thickness.
Eco-friendly and all-natural mats can be made from a number of materials, such as jute, natural rubber, and organic cotton. Eco mats are a little less stable on the floor than other options, but your body will still have traction thanks to their organic texture.
Why Would One Use A Yoga Mat?
You’re likely to feel some discomfort when performing any floor exercise, including yoga, ab exercises, and stretching. Humans naturally have bony, pointed joints, such as the elbows, knees, and lower back. It hurts and increases your risk of injury when certain body parts are put under pressure on a hard surface.
A mat shields your floor from harm while also safeguarding you. You don’t want it to sustain harm, whether it be the floor of your living room or a completely equipped home gym. When performing ab exercises with a kettlebell, such as Russian twists, you run the risk of losing control if you push yourself too hard and leaving a dent or mark on your floor. Any impact you throw at a high-quality, thick yoga mat will be absorbed, preventing harm to your house.
Using a mat while exercising on carpet will shield your skin from potential friction burns.
Using A Yoga Mat Has Benefits
Yoga
Of course, you can do yoga on a mat. When you’re stretched out in risky postures, it keeps your joints and floor safe and helps you maintain your lock-in. You’ll undoubtedly trip up when attempting a novel or challenging stance at some point. When this does occur, a high-quality mat will prevent you from harming yourself. What more could one ask for?
Stretching
You probably need to stretch if your muscles feel tense, weak, or exhausted. A yoga mat is your friend because the majority of stretches require lying on the floor. To improve your mobility, you can also use a mat.
Exercises Done On the Ground
Pushups, situps, glute bridges, and other exercises. A mat will be a terrific addition to your home gym if you often perform floor-based activities there. Exercises that put pressure on your lower back and involve leg raises and Russian twists are also excellent for working your abs dynamically. You’ll be more comfortable on a soft, thick mat, which will allow you to exert more effort and advance your workout more quickly.
When choosing a yoga mat for bodyweight activities, the dimensions are one item to take into account. On some mats, your hands and arms won’t fit comfortably enough to perform push-ups. The Muscle Squad training mat is 610mm wide, which is more than enough to perform push-ups on while not clogging up your home gym.
Do I Need A Yoga Mat?
A yoga mat is undoubtedly an excellent piece of equipment to have in your home gym if you practice yoga, stretching, floor exercises, and ab work. In addition to being very effective and adaptable, they are also affordable, small, and straightforward. You truly can’t go wrong with a mat because you will always need one.
In conclusion, my yoga mat isn’t just a piece of rubber; it’s my sacred space, where I find solace, strength, and a deeper connection with myself. It’s a foundation for my physical and mental well-being, a canvas on which I paint my intentions, and a constant reminder that my journey to inner peace is as essential as the air I breathe. Each time I unroll my mat, I step into a world of mindfulness and self-discovery, embracing the present moment and leaving behind the chaos of the outside world. So, here’s to my yoga mat—not just an object, but a companion on my path to a balanced and harmonious life.
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