What are your yoga mats made of?

A yoga mat is a must-have for anyone who practices yoga. This is important for both those who train in fitness clubs and those who do it at home. Currently, there is a large selection of mats, and this applies not only to design, but also to materials.

Let's consider several options for modern coverings. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into account when choosing. This article is based on our more than 15 years of experience in practicing yoga and testing hundreds of different mats. In addition, we largely rely on the opinions of reputable yoga instructors, with whom we have been actively cooperating for many years.

It is worth noting that the mat should have a number of qualities that can achieve maximum convenience and comfort when performing asanas. For example, the mat should not be slippery, and this applies to both the side that lies on the floor and the one that comes into contact with the body, be sufficiently elastic, soft, but dense so as not to feel the hard surface of the floor, etc.

There are different sizes of mats, but in most cases a certain standard is used: about 180 cm in length and 60 cm in width. At the same time, the thickness may vary and range from 1.5 to 6 mm. Thicker models will not allow you to perform balancing asanas due to reduced stability.

Currently, there are yoga mats made of different types of material. Each of them has its pros and cons, which will be discussed below.


EVA (EVA) - ethylene vinyl acetate

EVA Yoga MatThe simplest and most inexpensive are mats made of EVA material, which are also popularly called "foam". Such mats are made of a modern polymer - ethylene vinyl acetate, hence the name of the material. EVA mats do not cause allergies, are lightweight, compact and easy to carry. Due to the porous structure, such mats are quite soft and comfortable for exercise. In addition, this is the most budget option for a mat. Among the disadvantages, one can note a slippery surface, rapid wear and not the highest quality synthetic material. It is inconvenient to practice yoga on such a mat due to low friction (slipperiness), and from intensive exercise the material will quickly become unusable. Due to the characteristics of the material, EVA mats can have an unpleasant odor, but it usually disappears quickly. These mats are definitely not suitable for yoga.


PVC (PVC) - polyvinyl chloride

PVC Yoga MatNext come mats made of PVC material. PVC or polyvinyl chloride is one of the most popular materials for making mats. Compared to EVA, they are more durable and wear-resistant, so they are more suitable for long-term purposes. Modern PVC mats are quite elastic, soft and dense, but the anti-slip properties of this material greatly depend on the manufacturer and the technology it uses. By type, mats made of this material can be divided into regular mats and mats made of dense PVC (HD PVC). High-density PVC mats are more elastic and durable. Those made in Europe (mainly in Germany) are more elastic, non-slip and durable. The price of PVC mats is not as budget-friendly as that of EVA mats, but their quality is much higher.

-  Rishikesh Yoga Mat
-  Rishikesh Travel

 

-  Ganges  TPE - thermoplastic elastomer More professional are mats made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Such a mat is ideal for yoga, as it has anti-slip properties, retains its shape, has a dense and elastic structure. Mats made of thermoplastic elastomer are elastic and soft, very pleasant to the touch, they do not fade in the sun and are resistant to the spread of bacteria. The disadvantages include the fact that when in contact with moisture, they become quite slippery.

 

-  OJAS SHAKTI Yoga Mat -  SHAKTI Pro Yoga Mat Rubber - rubber And finally, the highest quality and professional choice would be mats made of natural rubber. They are almost ideal for yoga, they provide excellent grip on the body, so a person will not slip even with wet hands and feet. The natural rubber mat is pleasant to the touch, has no chemical odors and does not contain toxins, heavy metals or dyes. The disadvantages include, first of all, the high cost, as well as less durability compared to mats made of artificial materials.  -  OJAS Salamander Slim Yoga Mat -  Salamander Optimum Cork Yoga Mat


TPE Yoga Mat

The thin top layer of the mat is made of cork, while the bottom layer, which is spread on the floor, can be made of various materials - natural rubber, TPE or PVC. The cork mat is not reinforced with a mesh, since the cork layer itself holds the mat well from stretching. Cork is a very "warm" natural material, it is comfortable to perform asanas on it, it has sufficient friction. In addition, patterns are easily printed on cork, they look a little faded, natural and a little like a tattoo. Cork is a fairly durable material, but it is afraid of creases. If the cork is cracked, then you just need to carefully seal the gap with any wood glue and hold it in an unfolded state until the glue sets. Otherwise, it is a fairly wear-resistant coating that requires minimal but regular care. Of course, the mat is cleaned only by hand.

 

Fast fibers have few capillaries, so they are white. White muscle fibers are several times thicker than red ones and react to the load instantly. The speed of their contraction is several times faster than that of slow red fibers. Fast muscle fibers are strong and serve for maximum short-term effort. At the same time, these fibers tire very quickly, due to which the number of contractions that can be performed when working with fast fibers is significantly reduced. From this we can conclude: the development of white muscle fibers is the development of strength qualities. Fast fibers react to dynamic, but short-term loads, so they are not designed for a large number of repetitions and monotonous movement.

What feeds white muscle fibers?
First, let's say what they do not feed on, and they do not feed on oxygen. Energy is drawn from glycogen reserves in the muscle itself, and is released instantly. Due to this, you can achieve short-term maximum effort. Fast fibers feed on carbohydrate reserves, they are glycogen and creatine phosphates. These substances are quickly absorbed and immediately give energy to the muscles.