Do you know the difference between yoga mats that are available to you? If you have ever had a cheaper mat, or a loaner mat at most studios, you will find that the mat stretches as you put pressure on it in two different directions, for example Downward Dog or Warrior 2. Also, your feet and hands are more likely to slide. This makes a huge difference in the quality of your practice! If you are just beginning in your yoga practice, it is hard to spend $40-50 on a yoga mat, when you are not sure you will stick with it. However, not spending $40-50 on a good mat will quickly lead to your frustration with yoga and giving it up anyway. Since we go barefoot in class, and it is the only prop that you need to purchase, think of your mat as a good pair of tennis shoes. Would you spend only $10 on your tennis shoes, if you were about to start a new exercise program?
There are two yoga mats that are top of the line. Manduka and Jade Mats are the most sought out ones. The difference between the two comes down to how they are made. Manduka is made with a closed cell structure. This means that if you sweat all over it, the sweat wipes off and does not soak into your mat. This is a great selling point, as you are not carrying around a mat that smells like all of your yoga practices. Manduka's can also be easily hosed off in the shower to be cleaned. Just throw it over the shower, use a body puff with a little bit of dish soap and give it a good scrubbing. Rinse it off when you are done. Jade on the other hand has an open cell. It is like a sponge. It will soak up any sweat or liquids. What I have seen is that Manduka's can honestly last you a lifetime. I have had mine for 6 years, with a daily practice, and it still looks almost brand new. Jade mat's however will need to be replaced every few years.
As for different versions of the Manduka mats, I prefer my Pro-Lite mat over the Pro Black series. The Pro-Lite is lighter and easier to take with me to classes, but thick enough for padding under my knees. The Pro-Lite weighs 4lbs compared to the Pro weighing 7lbs.
There are two yoga mats that are top of the line. Manduka and Jade Mats are the most sought out ones. The difference between the two comes down to how they are made. Manduka is made with a closed cell structure. This means that if you sweat all over it, the sweat wipes off and does not soak into your mat. This is a great selling point, as you are not carrying around a mat that smells like all of your yoga practices. Manduka's can also be easily hosed off in the shower to be cleaned. Just throw it over the shower, use a body puff with a little bit of dish soap and give it a good scrubbing. Rinse it off when you are done. Jade on the other hand has an open cell. It is like a sponge. It will soak up any sweat or liquids. What I have seen is that Manduka's can honestly last you a lifetime. I have had mine for 6 years, with a daily practice, and it still looks almost brand new. Jade mat's however will need to be replaced every few years.
As for different versions of the Manduka mats, I prefer my Pro-Lite mat over the Pro Black series. The Pro-Lite is lighter and easier to take with me to classes, but thick enough for padding under my knees. The Pro-Lite weighs 4lbs compared to the Pro weighing 7lbs.
RSS Feed