In actuality, what’s “better” is relative to your individual needs, as the intensity of your yoga practice, your weight, how much you sweat, and more, should all be factored in when making a decision about what's better to buy. What is a Yoga Mat? On the other hand, yoga mats can be made with a wide range of different materials to serve different purposes. Some yoga mats are eco-friendly, using all-natural tree rubber for the base layer. However, there are many yoga mats that are made from cheap, synthetic materials, such as foam or TPE, which are not biodegradable or recyclable either.

There’s nothing more irritating than buying a brand new yoga mat only for it to fall apart after a few vinyasa classes. Fortunately, there’s no such problem with this durable offering from the experts at Complete Unity. It’s crafted from sustainably harvested tree rubber and natural jute fibres, which means the surface isn’t the smoothest, but it is resistant to wear and tear and, crucially, it’s uber sturdy – trust us, it won’t budge, whether you’re flowing on carpet, hard wood or tiles. Keep an eye out for any mats that have our WH Lab Approved logo proudly displayed on their picture, as these items have all been given our resident PT and yoga expert’s seal of approval. Yoga props are used for different purposes to aid you in your practice. Generally speaking, they are used to provide stability and support when entering difficult poses but they can also be used to help you get a deeper stretch. Yoga props are a great tool for gradually increasing your flexibility, range of motion, and strength. Using a yoga mat and yoga rug together can also decrease your distance to the ground, offering more stability. In certain balancing yoga poses, such as standing splits, decreasing your distance to the ground by providing more height, can help you more efficiently perform the pose. Yoga mats also have the advantage of being more portable than yoga rugs. What makes yoga rugs a good option for durability can make them a poor option for portability, as the dense nature of yoga rugs can make them difficult to roll up, making them bulkier for transport.

Especially for those engaging a physically demanding routine with inversions and balances, such as those with a yoga swing , a yoga mat will be a superior choice. Benefits of a Yoga Rug While many mats such as the Yogalette are perfectly suitable for little yogis, their limited size means they don’t have much scope for longevity when your child grows up. And if they decide they want to continue practicing yoga into adolescence, we doubt they’ll still want to keep using something branded Kiddomat. Yoga mats and yoga rugs can also be used together in distinct situations where you may need extra cushion. The yoga rug can give you the natural feel on your hands and feet, while the yoga mat underneath pads and stabilizes your hips and knees.

A yoga mat is a specifically designed mat intended to aid and assist your yoga practice by providing traction, grip, and balance. A yoga mat can also be used like an exercise mat to do things such as weight training, pilates, meditation, and more. What is a Yoga Rug? Some mats are machine washable (rejoice!), in which case giving it a thorough clean is as easy as throwing it in the machine, putting it on a cold gentle cycle with mild detergent and air drying it afterwards. Yoga-Mad claims that the Warrior Plus is machine washable up to 40˚C, and while this sounds like a really handy feature at first, the fact that it can’t be put through a spin cycle means you’ll probably find yourself wiping it clean instead. It’s a little on the bulky side and not the easiest to carry around, but it’s surprisingly lightweight, portable enough to take to the gym and easy to roll up when you’re done – all at an affordable price.

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And when considering a yoga rug, you may also be keen to find out whether the yoga rug is produced by artisans in another country such as India, as an art form and an vital opportunity towards providing livelihood to underrepresented communities. There are several reasons to consider a cork yoga mat. The first is the environment – when you shave a layer of cork off the tree it actually encourages it to grow and replace it. It doesn’t get much more renewable than that. Those looking for a more natural and traditional yoga experience will benefit from using a yoga rug. The organic cotton used in yoga rugs has a very different texture than a yoga mat, and many say it feels like you’re closer to nature.

The higher variety of yoga mats is also helpful based on the type of yoga you enjoy. For hot yoga, you may need a non-slip yoga mat, while the physical nature of Ashtanga yoga or partner stretches may demand a more supportive yoga mat. Yoga Mats Have More Grip So when making a decision whether to buy a yoga mat or yoga rug, we highly recommend making the logical choice - yoga mat. Yoga rugs have been shown to offer more durability than traditional yoga mats. Since yoga rugs are made of woven materials, you can wash them in your washing machine without worry, giving it more longevity. For advanced yogis that perform headstands and other inversions, you may want additional support. Using a headstand as an example, your hands and wrists hold a lot of tension, so using a yoga mat and a yoga rug together can enhance your comfort level. Another top-quality option from our pals at Les Mills. Unlike the MBX mat above, this one is designed specifically for yoga, with a vegan leather top layer that absorbs moisture (read: sweat) and stops you from sliding around, no matter how clammy your paws are. Sure enough, our resident yogi stayed rooted in their poses during vigorous vinyasa flows, without any distracting slipping around. Music to our ears!The yoga mat vs. yoga rug debate is one that has been argued endlessly. There is often confusion about which is better to buy, the yoga mat or the yoga rug. When working out, you want your mat to provide stability and comfort, so you do not have to worry about dirt or sweat impeding your routine. We recognise this by offering over 25 different, high-quality yoga mats. Need eco-friendly? We've got it. Extra dense? That too. Our stylish yoga mats come in a range of vibrant colours to energise your yoga practice – just choose your favourite colour! For additional calm and poise, we have a lavender-scented mat in gentle purple tones. Or if you're always on the go, try our ultra-light travel mat, with fabric mesh for added strength. Our pros put a number of mats through their paces, seeing how each one performed during yoga, yoga nidra (a form of deep rest), HIIT and even weights sessions (most yoga mats double up as exercise mats). They were scored based on how grippy, comfortable, portable and stable they were (with bonus points for eco credentials), and only their favourite few made it on to this list.

Yoga mats also come in a wide range of sizes, so you are able to choose a yoga mat that fits your travel needs, whether that is simply from the home to the gym, or traveling on an airplane, or needing a yoga mat in a hotel room to loosen up. Higher Variety of Yoga Mats Even though there are distinct advantages to each, a sturdy, well-made yoga mat can offer the quintessential combination of quality and function. A standard yoga mat measures 60 x 173 cm. While the width will always remain the same, the length can sometimes vary, and it’s not unusual to come across mats that measure 182cm and 188cm. In rare cases, there are some yoga mats that are as long as 213cm. It all depends on your height. The best way to find the right length for you is by trying to do a downward-facing dog pose on a standard yoga mat. As long as your hands and feet are securely on the mat, the length is sufficient. What about price?While there are many options available, the differences between a yoga mat and a yoga rug are significant. While your choice may simply come down to personal preference, understanding the differences between the yoga mat and the yoga rug will help you select an accessory that fits your personal needs. Materials Unlike most lightweight yoga mats, the Manduka is made from rubber so you still get a good amount of grip – even if it’s a little slippy for the first few uses. Unlike most rubber mats, however, Manduka uses only sustainably harvested rubber that’s free from PVC and toxic dyes, making it a great option for eco-conscious yogis too. While yoga rugs can be comfortable when performing basic warmup exercises , yoga mats are often needed for other types of yoga, such as vinyasa flow, because yoga mats inherently have more grip. Different Types of Yoga Mats – Select Best For Your Practicing.” Health and Fitness Magazine, 2 Dec. 2019, https://www.healthnfitnessmag.com/different-types-of-yoga-mats.