Are you looking for a yoga mat? With so many different kinds of yoga mats available, finding the right map can be a challenge.

This article will help/

How To Choose A Yoga Mat – The Best Way

Searching for the perfect yoga mat? You will find that while there are a wide variety of mats available on the market, the "best" mat is the one that meets your needs.

The first thing you will want to look for in a yoga mat is a size that works best for you. Most yoga mat average around 24 inches wide, but lengths can vary widely. Lengths of 68" and 72" are fairly common, but yoga mats can typically range from 60" to 75" in length. A shorter mat may be appropriate for kids, people with smaller frames, or in situations where portability is important. A longer mat will allow you to perform a wider variety of poses more easily. For instance, it is nicer to have your face on a mat than on the floor in a Chattaranga pose!

Second, consider the material. You will want a material that provides good thickness, traction, and holds up over time. Cheap yoga mats are often made out of PVC and plastic materials. These are the least environmentally-friendly option, and you may not want to be in close contact with the compounds and fumes they release while practicing yoga. A newer development is the introduction of TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer) yoga mats. These are a good tradeoff between cost and eco-consciousness. While they are still relatively inexpensive, they are made from a more environmentally-friendly material that is recyclable. Some of the best yoga mats are made from natural latex and organic natural latex. The latter is usually the most eco-friendly yoga mat choice. Manufacturers of natural latex mats often have environmental offset programs to counter the manufacturing and shipping impact of the mat.

Third, consider the cost. While cost is imporant, don’t get fooled by the false economy of cheap low-quality mats. A single high-quality yoga mat that provides you with productive practice sessions is worth way more than a slightly cheaper mat. Furthermore, a high-quality mat will last longer than a series of cheaper mats that need to be replaced on a regular basis. In short, buy the best yoga mat that you can afford.

By: Dan Tien

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

We hope these tips have helped you narrow down your decisions about yoga mats. Of course, it doesn’t make sense to buy a yoga mat until you find the one that is right for you. Whatever your final decision is, YogaTrader.com can help you find the mat you need, with some of the best selection and prices online. We wish you well in your yoga practice!

Want to find the best yoga mat for you? Yoga mats come in many shapes and sizes. Let’s discover how to find your perfect mat.

Do You Prefer a Natural or Man-Made Mat?

Yoga mats come in two primary materials: man-made, and natural fiber.

There are many different types of man-made fibers used in yoga mats. As a rule of thumb, and as you might suspect, the better the quality and thickness of the man-made fiber mat, the more expensive it is.

Natural fiber mats come in many forms: jute, cork and cotton fibers are common. Some Kundalini yoga devotees prefer a mat made of sheepskin.

Benefits of Man-Made Fiber in Yoga Mats

The cheapest man-made types of mat (plastic) are not a good choice. You’ll be spending a lot of time touching the mat, and breathing the fumes that are released from some of these plastic mats. The fumes can be harmful to your health; some may even contain cancer-causing agents. So steer clear of these thin, inexpensive mats.

However, the quality man-made mats are an excellent choice. A mat made of quality man-made fiber has these benefits: it will last you for years, you can clean it easily, and you can store it without the fiber deteriorating.

Some “sticky” man-made fiber mats are excellent for beginning yoga students, because they ensure that you stay in a pose without sliding and hurting yourself.

Benefits of Natural Fibers in Yoga Mats

While cotton and rubber yoga mats last for years, some natural fiber mats made of materials like jute or cork tend to deteriorate over time. This may not worry you; you can always replace the mat.

Here are the benefits if natural fiber yoga mats: they’re environmentally friendly, and since no chemicals are released from them, allow you to practice your yoga with confidence. Cotton yoga mats are less expensive too, so if price is a concern, your cotton yoga mat is good value.

Which yoga mat will you choose? If you’re taking yoga classes, ask your teacher which kinds of mats she recommends for you, or visit a store and sniff — avoid any yoga mat which releases fumes.

Enrich your life with yoga today

Read Yoga for the New You and discover everything you need to create a yoga practice right in your own home. Transform your life with yoga.

[tags]yoga,yoga mats,yoga equipment[/tags]

Yoga mats are very important in your every day practice – with the right yoga mat, you can practice anywhere.

Sticky Mats

If you want a mat that is perfect to cover your practice area and provide steadiness when practicing the poses, Sticky Mats are just right for you. These yoga mats are thinly made and come in a variety of colors. They’re light, and easy to take with you.

The good thing about these yoga mats is that they has a guide which show you where to place your feet and hands. If you are a beginner, of course you are not yet oriented and used to the hand and foot placements. These yoga mats are just perfect in mastering those poses. These mats are helpful in preventing you to slip off and sliding.

Here’s a tip to keep the mat sticky. The technique is to sprinkle a small amount of water on the mat and let it air dry. Using sticky mats is appropriate and applicable to all types of yoga.

There are also those ultra thick sticky mats which are known as the Ultra Double Thickness Mats. These yoga mats provide cushioning and stability which is very useful in applying to some certain poses. These ultra thick yoga mats are perfect for Ashtanga practitioners as they move or jump from one pose to another.

Most people love using the ultra thick yoga mats because it provides the most convenient cushioning that no other mats can give. Practitioners use these mats in their classes.

Take yoga with you with a travel mat

Travel Mats, as the name implies are perfect for traveling. If you are the travel-type person and couldnít get away with your daily dosage of yoga exercise, this would be the perfect choice. Travel mats can be thrown in your luggage or suitcase when you are on a trip or on a vacation.

If you are practicing Ashtanga or Bikram Yoga, Cotton Mats are perfect for you. Cotton Mats are made for absorbing sweat. These cotton mats will help you to stay in shape and not slip off. If your mat is not absorbent, then it is quite dangerous because wet surface can be very slippery. The damp mat is good for gripping so that your feet and hands stay just where you place them.

The Yoga Mat Bag is a part of your daily yoga activity. It is perfect for carrying your yoga mats to work, class or anywhere you want to go. You don’t have to miss as session of your yoga practice.

The yoga mat bag has enough space for your extra clothes, water bottle and other accessories.

[tags]yoga, yoga gear, yoga mats[/tags]