If you’ are going to do yoga, there is one piece of equipment that is so useful, you could call it essential: the yoga mat. Chances are, whatever studio you take your classes at has mats you can use, or at least rent. It makes more sense to buy your own, though. For one thing, you have more control over cleanliness if it’s yours. For another thing, if you go to a studio where you’d have to rent your mat, eventually buying your own will more than pay for itself.
Yoga mats are sometimes called sticky mats, because they are designed to keep you from slipping and sliding around. They provide traction as well as cushioning. Yoga mats are very inexpensive. You can buy one for as little as $25. Given how low the price is, you don’t need to worry about the investment—you can get one as soon as you start taking yoga classes. You don’t have to wait and see if you are definitely going to stick with yoga.
The mat probably costs about the same as two classes, maybe even a little less than the price of two classes. Bear in mind that if you even do yoga just to test the waters and see if you like it, you will almost certainly want to practice at home. A yoga mat of your own will make practicing at home much more feasible.
The standard size for yoga mats is 24 inches by 68 inches. Yoga mats tend to be rather thin. A synthetic mat will cost about $25. Mats made from natural materials, such as rubber or jute will cost more. These may cost somewhere in the range of $50 to $70. Most yoga studios sell mats. They are also available at most sporting goods stores these days, and good ones can also be found in abundance on the Internet at one of the many yoga supply online stores. Yoga has become massively popular and that has made it very easy to find yoga accessories just about everywhere. You may find that even your local drugstore carries yoga mats.
Some yoga studios will let you keep your mat at the studio. If not, you might consider a yoga mat bag, or a strap so you can sling it over your shoulder. If you sweat a lot, you might want to have a yoga mat cleaning spray so you can clean it after class. These sprays are available online and at some retail stores.
You may find that one you first buy your yoga mat that your sticky mat really isn’t all that sticky, but rather is significantly toward the slippery end of the spectrum. Normally, this problem will go away as you break the mat in by using it. If it doesn’t, or you are impatient, washing it may help. Just wash it in the washing machine with a little bit of detergent and that should do the trick and make your yoga mat slip-free.
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