How to choose your yoga mat for the practice of Ashtanga & Vinyasa
I recently received several questions from a regular Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga practitioner asking me which mat was best suited for his practice. As a practitioner of this dynamic yoga style myself, I know from experience that choosing a good, non-slip, comfortable mat for performing asanas is not an easy task.
I thought it was an opportunity to write this little article, to help you choose the right carpet. Without further ado, discover these little tips that will not only help you not to make a mistake with the material, but also to maintain it well to make it last longer!
What yoga mat material should I choose?
Despite the feats of strength of the various manufacturers to use the most organic materials as much as possible, good old PVC remains the most durable and resistant material for a yoga mat. Ashtanga being one of the styles of Yoga that puts your mat to the test, choose a PVC mat if you want to reassure yourself about its lifespan. The record holders for lifespan are the Manduka BlackMat PRO and PROlite mats, which are guaranteed for life! It is particularly recommended for intensive practices. If you are a fan of natural rubber mats, characterized by extreme grip, you will be able to find what you are looking for among the Jade Harmony Professional mats , which are undoubtedly the most resistant natural rubber mats currently. Personally, I opted for a Jade Harmony Orange, lighter to transport and for ethical reasons. Since the brand also plants trees for each mat purchased!
What thickness is suitable for Ashtanga - Vinyasa practice?
Jumps, Vinyasa, inverted postures are all good reasons to have a thick yoga mat… Your joints will thank you! However, if 6mm mats are the thickest, they are often very heavy, and not really made for transport… More than 3 kilos, that's starting to be a lot! You can then opt for slightly less thick mats: yoga mats between 4 and 5 mm thick allow a comfortable practice of Ashtanga, reducing the weight of the mat almost by half... Rest assured, this does not mean that the mat will be less resistant! The thickness of a mat is above all a question of weight and comfort…
Which side of the yoga mat to use?
Most Ashtanga mats are quite technical and offer two different sides: the upper side, made for the grip of the hands and feet, often resembles that of fabric and is generally not smooth. The lower part, which is often smooth but sometimes has studs, has the main purpose of adhering to the surfaces on which the mat is placed (wood, cement, parquet, sometimes carpet)... Try to use the right side of the yoga mat, this can improve your grip and allows the mat to be forgotten so you can focus only on your practice!
How can I be sure I won't slip?
PVC mats for Ashtanga are often "closed cell". This means that sweat or water do not penetrate inside the mat, that it is a "waterproof" product, unlike rubber mats. As a result, the mat can lose grip if you sweat a lot (those who have rubbed shoulders with Bikram know what I'm talking about). This is why many practitioners use a Yoga towel in addition ... It behaves in fact the opposite: the wetter it gets, the more grippy it becomes! Perfect for those who tend to sweat ... Manduka offers very beautiful towels for this purpose; the Yogitoes.
And the maintenance of my Ashtanga mat?
To take care of your Ashtanga mat, clean it regularly by hand (not in the washing machine) with a cleaning product and a damp cloth or sponge (not with a lot of water either). Once dry, roll it up with the outer part on top, then store it flat. This allows the corners of the mat to always remain flat when unrolled. Furthermore, given its "closed" structure, avoid piercing it or accidentally opening it (scissors, cutters lying around... bad idea!), and it should last you for years!
What do you think? Do you have any tips to share too?
