Which Yoga Mat for Beginners?
What does a beginner’s yoga mat look like? (Almost) To the same mat as a yoga mat for seasoned yogis! The type of yoga mat depends more on the style of yoga practiced and the frequency of practice than on the level of practice! Factors such as your musculature, your degree of perspiration and the fragility of your joints can also influence the choice of the yoga mat for beginners. Discover in this article the different types of mat coverings and the different materials of composition of the mats to be privileged according to the yoga that you will practice.
I TRANSPIRE ->
Choose a rubber and microfiber or cork yoga mat.
If you perspire a lot during your practice, we recommend you to choose a yoga mat with a micro-fiber covering like the Performance Yogom. It is a floor mat with a natural rubber base that is very stable on the ground so that you practice safely and the mat does not come off the ground during your session! Its coating looks like a microfiber towel. It is often compared to the nubuk or suede material of shoes or peach skin because it is a soft and absorbent material. Ideal for those who sweat and need an absorbent material to avoid slipping. Unlike all slippery plastic materials that should be avoided if you tend to sweat. On a microfiber type coating vYour hands and feet will be slowed down and will adhere to the surface thanks to the humidity. Beware of latex allergies with natural rubber.
Rubber and cork mats
A rubber and cork yoga mat can also be a great product for you if you tend to sweat. You’ll enjoy the same floor stability as the Performance mat described above with a different, more natural feel. The big advantage of cork is that it is anti-microbial and rot-proof. Great when you sweat! Yogom’s cork yoga mat is made in Portugal and its base is made from recycled rubber from the shoe industry in Portugal as well. It is the most ecological yoga mat on the market!
I DON’T SWEAT OR SWEAT VERY LITTLE ->
Choose a rubber or foam yoga mat
Conversely, if your hands and feet are dry and you sweat, choose a TPE-based non-slip mat like the Yomad or a very non-slip rubber mat like the Star.
Yoga mat in TPE foam
If you sweat little or not systematically the Yomad mat is a great compromise. Its textured coating is well anti-slip (rated 2/3) with little or no perspiration. It is a very comfortable and light yoga mat but above all without toxic products. You will also find body markers (hands and feet) on Yomad mats as well as all the other ranges to learn how to better position your body in the postures. This mat is also highly recommended for Pilates and sports without sneakers.
Rubber and polyurethane yoga mats
If you don’t sweat or if you sweat from time to time, the Star yoga mat is a universal mat that fits you. It is truly the most non-slip mat on the market. It has a 3/3 rated grip and is totally non-slip! If grip is your number one criteria, don’t hesitate!
If you don’t sweat a lot or very little and not at the beginning of your practice, don’t take a microfiber cover that you might find slippery, at least if you counted on it to stay 10 minutes in the dog with your head down 😉
PVC yoga mat
We do not recommend PVC, which is a slippery and sticky material, whether you sweat or not. Moreover it is a material that is not ecological.
2- ARE YOU MUSCULAR?
I AM MUSCULAR
If you are muscular, you will tend to sheath more easily or even automatically in the yoga postures. You will rely more on your body and muscles to distribute your energy to be well anchored on your mat and not to slip. You don’t necessarily need an ultra non-slip or thick carpet. You can therefore consider all types of carpets regardless of their covering. In your case, the criteria of perspiration, practice and frequency will be more important in the decision than the thickness.
Perhaps in your case the sensation of touch will be taken into account.
If you are sensitive to touch, choose a soft or natural coating and not a sticky, toxic plastic coating. On the other hand, if you are looking for a soft but not completely smooth feel to have some grip, prefer a rubber eraser (less sticky than PVC and non-toxic) like the Star Mat or with small reliefs (the compromise between soft and non-slip), like the Yomad yoga mat .
A LITTLE BAD!
If you are not very muscular and not very athletic you will want to rely on your mat to keep you from sliding down the hill! We. We recommend a yoga mat with good non-slip properties (2/3 or 3/3). Your learning of yoga will be facilitated, you will progress faster and especially you will not hurt yourself! In this case, choose a Yomad or Star carpet.
Discover our article Why I slip on my yoga mat in which we explain why you slip because it’s not always the fault of your equipment!
Enjoy free shipping and a carrying strap included with every Yomad, Star and Performance mat.
3- What thickness according to your joints
Fragile joints
If you have weak joints, especially in the knees, you should definitely choose a thick mat, otherwise your sessions will not be comfortable and you will not want to practice. The comfort of practice is a very important element in the choice of the yoga mat for beginners. In fact, especially if you are a beginner, you are not used to spending an hour on the floor!
In this case, equip yourself with a Yomad mat of 6 mm thickness .
You can also be interested in rubber and microfiber mats that fold on themselves without damaging the coating (as shown here). You have a 4mm rubber mat which is a material that has a very good density (almost as comfortable as the Yomad 6mm) and by folding it you get 8mm of rubber under your knees: remember this trick!
Beware! In fact, you should look more at the density of the carpet material than at its thickness.
Indeed a yoga mat in TPE is much denser than a yoga mat in PVC in which you sink. Not only will your knees hurt with a low-density mat like the PVC ones, but you will also lack stability in balancing postures. Density is therefore an important decision factor.
The TPE is a very dense material which brings comfort and cushioning for the knees and good stability in the balances!
LOW-GRADE JOINTS
In case you don’t tend to have soft joints, no need to dwell on the thickness criterion. You will even have the luxury of watching more the weight of the mat and opt for a light mattress to carry. Discover the Travel range: ideal because thin, light and foldable if you often travel or bike to your class or your yoga or sports session.
NOT VERY FRAGILE JOINTS
In case you don’t tend to have cushy joints, there is no need to dwell on the thickness criterion. You can even have the luxury of looking more at the weight of the mat and opt for a light mattress to carry.
Also think about your preferences in terms of feel (do you prefer a rubbery or textured, smooth and soft feel?) as well as your profile (do you tend to sweat on your hands and feet or do you have dry hands and feet and tend to slip?).
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Yoga blanket
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SHAKTI YOGA COMBINATION (Copie)
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Carpet transport bag (Copie) (Copie)
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4- Ask yourself what type of yoga mat you like to practice
First of all, you need to ask yourself about your type of practice: do you practice gentle, dynamic, fluid or even dancing yoga or static yoga?
YOUR LEVEL
- Are you a beginner? If so, prefer a non-slip mat, which will be easier to start with because it will help you to anchor yourself in many postures requiring it (Yomadrange or Star range from Yogom).
- If you are more experienced or if you practice a dynamic and fluid yoga like Vinyasa, turn to a product with a smooth coating (touch peach skin like the Performance Yoga Mat ). This is important because you will need to be able to keep up with the flow transitions that require fluidity. Plus, you probably have a good anchor in the ground so you don’t need the flooring to help you not slip in postures. Your energy allocation already does!
- For multi-taskers (several types of yoga), choose a medium non-slip equipment, that is to say a good compromise between comfort, weight and grip (Range Yomad or the Cork Mat)
- And if you practice more gentle yoga (Yin Yoga, Nidra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Restorative Yoga, mediation), choose a soft and pleasant covering, for example in cotton, sheep’s wool ( Softness range ) certified by Oeko-Tex or in microfiber (Range Performance).
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Bolster Yoga Wool
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Meditation cushion wool
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Natural wool yoga mat
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When choosing a yoga mat, you must first take into account the type of yoga you practice to find the right product for your needs!
Choosing a Yoga Mat for dynamic practices
For intense yoga practices like Bikram,Ashtanga, Rocket yoga or dynamic Vinyasa, you’ll need a smooth, soft yoga mat that will give you fluidity in the sequences and grip through sweat. A mattress with a microfiber peach skin cover is also suitable for seasoned practitioners who have a good anchorage and sheathing to prevent slipping, or for people who sweat a lot. For example, the Performance is ideal for this type of practice as well as the Recycled Cork Yoga Mat. If you practice this type of yoga but are just starting out, opt for TPE or natural rubber equipment for more grip and anchorage.
Which mat should you choose for static and versatile yoga?
For more static yoga practitioners such as Hatha,Ashtanga or for beginners or multi-taskers, you should choose a non-slip mat adapted to all types of yoga and all contexts (see the Star). If you don’t sweat, this type of equipment with a good “grip” and anti-slip is also very well adapted. If you sweat, the cork yoga mat is also very recommended.
What type of yoga mat for gentle practices?
If you practice more gentle yoga(Yin Yoga, Nidra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, meditation, relaxation…), prefer a soft touch equipment. It doesn’t have to be very non-slip, but it does have to be comfortable! For example, the Natural by Yogom is specially designed for this type of practice: 100% natural, made of Merino wool and Oeko-tex certified.
Finally, the most important thing is to look for a yoga mat that is right for you! Be sure to ask about the characteristics of each mat so that it corresponds to your practice (Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Nidra or even Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Hot Yoga…).
5- How to choose a Yoga mat according to the frequency of practice?
Your frequency of practice will also guide you in choosing your yoga mat, a yogi practicing occasionally will not have the same needs as a yogi practicing daily!
Which yoga mat for which frequency of use
The more you practice, the more you will have to invest in a resistant, solid and qualitative mat (in this case, forget the first prices which do not last and are damaged quickly). If you practice daily or regularly, we advise you to take a mattress with a natural rubber base which is very solid and resistant. For occasional yogis, you can afford to choose a foam mat (e.g. TPE like the Yomad from Yogom) which will be more than enough.
How long does a yoga mat last?
As for a pair of skis for example, unfortunately technical performance does not necessarily rhyme with durability. You may want to consider a technical yoga mat that is very non-slip and therefore more expensive but may not last a lifetime.
In other words, the equipment wears out, which is normal but does not detract from its technical performance. The more you take care of it, the longer your mat will last but maybe not all your life, this is also why it is interesting to choose an ecological and maybe recyclable or biodegradable equipment.
In short,the surface can be very important for your practice. So ask yourself the right questions: about your type of practice, the type of feel you are looking for (very non-slip vs. soft) and your profile. And above all what is most important to you! Do you prefer a carpet that is pleasant to the touch, even if it is less non-slip, or a mat that is very non-slip, even if it loses some of its comfort?
Discover on our online store all the necessary equipment for the practice of yoga, meditation, pilates and fitness. Find a selection of the best non-toxic, ecological yogas, all with an excellent quality-price ratio. Practice in comfort no matter what style of yogas you practice. You can even equip yourself with a kit with mats, bricks and straps which are the essential items to go and participate in a class in the gym or studio.
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