Why Use Yoga Mats?
Out of all the props available to yoga practitioners, the yoga mat is the most essential. Mats are not only important for stability and safety; they also help yogis remain comfortable and focused during their practice.
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Stability
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Good mats are made from sticky nonslip materials that keep your hands and feet glued in place during your yoga practice. Not only does it disrupt your concentration when your body is slipping and sliding across the floor, but it's also dangerous. If you are in an inverted or balancing pose, a slip of the hand or foot could land you on the floor.
Comfort
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For most people, lying or sitting on a soft yoga mat is more comfortable that trying to relax on a wooden or cement floor. Being at ease and free from the distraction of pain is important for meditation, an integral aspect of yoga practice.
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Space
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Yoga mats help clear space, both physically and mentally. When you roll out the mat, boundaries are established, allowing you to focus on energizing your body as it moves through that space. On a more literal level, yoga mats guide you through certain poses. Instructors often tell you to place your hands or feet at a certain location on the mat to help you execute the pose.
Modification
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Yoga mats are useful for adjusting your body when a pose is painful or too strenuous on your body. Suza Francina, a yoga instructor who also authored a book on the practice, recommends rolling the mat and placing it under the knees to open the joints during sitting poses. Mats also can be folded and placed beneath the heels for added stability during standing poses.
Specifications
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Most yoga instructors recommend purchasing a thick nonskid mat. Standard mats are 24 inches wide, 68 inches long and one-eighth of an inch thick, although taller people can find longer mats. Quality, inexpensive mats are sold at discount stores and popular sporting good stores; they also are available for purchase online.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Beverly
