How to Design a Mat for Yoga

Hatha Yoga Child Pose

Mass-produced yoga mats are readily available these days, thanks to B.K.S. Iyengar, one of the founders of modern yoga, who popularized the use of props. But some practitioners prefer to make or customize their own mats. Whether you have specific physical requirements---tall, broad-shouldered, a need for extra cushioning, wish to economize, or simply want a unique mat to match a personal practice, this guide will outline what you need to do.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Decide what kind of practice you will do on this mat. Standing poses, seated, forward bends, backbends, meditations, all of the above? "Classic" yoga mats---the ones B.K.S. Iyengar prescribes for general practice---are made of nonskid material and are 24 inches wide, 68 inches tall and one-eighth of an inch thick.

2. Decide on materials. Classic mats are made of nonskid rubber; the original mats, in the 1980s, were cut from rolls of carpet backing. Later, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) was used, especially for the thicker mats. These days you have more choices. Rubber is wonderful for practice, but if you would rather have a more ecologically friendly mat, a sticky TPE (thermal plastic elastomer) mat is now available that it is fully biodegradable. Jute, natural rubber or wood pulp are also great options.
   If in Step 1 you decided on a specialized mat---say, for seated or supine poses or for meditation only---you may wish to make your mat from a thick, flat blanket or even carpeting. In this case, choose a durable, heavy material that stays put and does not bunch up when you move. Do not choose a synthetic plastic which outgasses fumes. A sitting mat needs to be made of inert and stable material. Also, if you are binding or sewing the edges, do not double the material or add bulk; this will interfere with your poses and create uncomfortable lumps and bumps.

3. Measure dimensions. If you are over 6 feet tall, your mat should be at least 71 inches long rather than the 68 inches comfortable for those who are shorter. If you are extra flexible and will be doing extended poses such as Hanumanasana (the splits), your yoga mat will need to measure at least double the length of your legs, plus the width of your torso at the hips, back to front.
   Do not forget to consider your shoulders. A mat for a person with extra-broad shoulders, such as a swimmer, should be at least 27 inches wide instead of the typical 24 inches.

4. Consider what thickness of mat is most comfortable for your body and your practice. A slender woman in her 60s will often be far more comfortable using a mat thicker than the classic three-sixteenths of an inch; five-sixteenths of an inch is good for someone who needs cushioning but does not have balance problems. Someone with balance issues would be better off stacking two mats for seated poses than wobbling around on an extra-thick mat in standing poses. Travel mats, which need to be light, can be one-eighth of an inch thick.

5. 

   Now for the fun part: the visuals! What color makes you feel happy each time you see it? Is there a pattern that has special significance for your practice? If you can't immeidately decide on a color, bring a few of your favorite pieces of clothing into your practice area and do a pose while looking at each to help you decide. If you will be bringing your yoga mat to class, you may wish to sign it (use indelible marker) or draw a yoga symbol on it, such as an "Om."

Tips & Warnings

• Will you be making one mat or several? Classic yoga mat material is available online in rolls of 103 feet. Mat cutters are also readily available for about $15.

References

• Ecologically Friendly Mat Materials and Advice
• The Cheapest Alternative--"Classic" Mat Roll