Best Travel Yoga Mat UK: In the modern age, Yoga has become an effective practice to create peace, flexibility, and balanced mental and physical life. It provides a sense of relief from the tensions of our hectic routine life. Yoga mats make our practice easier. We found these mats helpful in the tough and stretchy movements due to their specific structure.

If you travel frequently and do not want to create a gap in your practice then it is necessary to have a reliable travel yoga mat. In this guide, we will deeply explore the best travel yoga mats and also provide sufficient information about the leading brands available in the UK.

Things to Consider Best Travel Yoga Mat UK

When you are moving towards choosing the best travel yoga mat uk, there are some important factors that you must keep in mind because all yoga mats are not of the same quality. Specially travel yoga mats have some important and different traits than the other ones.

1. Weight and Portability

When you are going to select your best travel yoga mat, the first and foremost thing is its weight. A travel mat must be lightweight so it becomes easy to carry it anywhere. If you have a lightweight and high quality travel mat then it is convenient to roll up and it will not take so much space in your luggage. Ideal travel yoga mats typically weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds which are basically in demand.

Now modern yoga mat companies designed them with a carrying strap or bag just to make them more reliable for you. This feature is not only useful in their easy transport but also remarkable in its protection. Its smart size prevents to create a mess in your suitcase.

2. Thickness and Cushioning

In the common observation, the thicker yoga mats offer more comfort and support as compare to the thinner ones. They are typically suitable for those who need extra padding for their joints on hard surfaces. On the other hand, the travel yoga mats are often thinner than the standard ones because of their different demands and needs.

As we already discussed the travel yoga mat must be thin and lightweight to resolve the problem of carrying it. The best travel yoga mats tend to range from 1.5mm to 5mm thick which makes them easy to transport without any discomfort.

3. Grip and Stability

Another important and considering factor about the best yoga mat is its grip. It must be provided with a stable and non slippery surface that can improve your performance even if you are drenched in sweat. This feature will be very effective in building up your confidence while you are practicing more dynamic or sweaty styles of yoga like Vinyasa or Ashtanga. It prevents us from the risk of injuries.

Most of the yoga mats are prepared from high-quality, non-toxic materials such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), natural rubber, or PVC that offer superior grip. These types of surfaces reduce the tension to slip and provide good and reliable support and grip to your feet and hands. You will feel secure during your practice, no matter the environment.

Often the best travel yoga mats feature textured surfaces to enhance grip, then it does not matter whether you are practicing on slick hotel floors or outdoor surfaces.

4. High quality material and Eco-friendliness

Another considerable factor about the travel yoga mat is that it must be made of high quality material and durable which must withstand for a long time. A traveling mat does not only face the frequent rolling and folding but also bears different environmental changes. When you have to carry on your yoga practice anywhere then you will prefer such types of mats that can be able to withstand the exposure to various climatic ups and downs.

As we are all well aware of the increasing environmental risk, in this condition we ought to choose mats made of eco friendly materials. We should avoid the traditional mats made from eco conscious materials like natural rubber, jute, or TPE. Many yoga mat companies offer mats prepared with biodegradable materials free from harmful chemicals. These mats are much better than PVC mats.

5. Easy to Clean

A travel yoga mat must have the quality to clean it easily and fastly. When you tend to practice yoga at various locations then its cleanliness might become challenging for you. To keep your concern in mind we just prefer to select the best travel yoga mats that can easily be washable in a machine or wipeable with a damp cloth. Such kind of mats can comfortably deals with dirt, dust, and sweat and will be helpful to save your time and effort.

Top Brands for Best Travel Yoga Mat UK

We have many yoga essentials brands that offer the best mats in the UK, but there are selective ones that do not compromise on quality. Here we will provide you with the details of the top brands:

1. Liforme

Liforme is a very popular and well reputed yoga mats brand which attract people due to the superb quality of its mats. It offers environmentally friendly and biodegradable mats that is the prime importance and demand of this age. These mats are absolutely free from toxic materials. This brand also perfectly meets the needs of travelers and provides them with their desirable yoga traveling mats.

2. Gaiam

Now we are going to move to another brand that is Gaiam. It has gained the priority and favor of the masses due to its budget friendly trait. It provides the best travel yoga mats that are well known for their lightweight and durability. These mats are made with PVC having features like easy to carry and clean. At just 1.5mm thick, it offers the perfect balance between portability and comfort.

3. Manduka

Manduka is also a worth considering brand in UK that is actually popular due to its durability and cushioning. It offers mats that are made with natural rubber which provide excellent support while you are performing difficult and stretchy movements. These mats have a non slippery surface that is perfectly suitable for your good performance even if you are so sweaty. These mats are the best choice for those who need extra cushioning on rough and tough surfaces. They are easy to transport and roll up even if you travel frequently.

4. Jade Yoga

Jade Yoga mats are also become the interest and demand of many yoga lovers. They are made of non-toxic, sustainable, and natural rubber which provides extra and remarkable grip. They are so comfortable and lightweight. If you are looking for a washable and eco-friendly mat then Jade Yoga mats will be a good choice.

5. Lululemon

Lululemon does not need any introduction regards yoga products. It offers premium quality yoga essentials which is the major reason for its popularity. Its travel yoga mats are of top quality that not only provide grip and cushioning but are also lightweight, compact, and highly durable. They are so versatile that they are equally suitable and useful for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

Conclusion

At the sum up of these precious suggestions for the Best Travel Yoga Mat UK, we just want to say that the right understanding of the travel yoga mats is the key to the perfect choice. When you have found all the explained factors in your mat, then you must not waste your time thinking about its selection. It does not matter whether you are a frequent traveler or simply visit somewhere, choosing the right and perfect yoga mat is crucial to carrying on your practice.

All the above mentioned brands tried their best to meet your needs. Top ranked brands like Liforme, Gaiam, Manduka, Jade Yoga, and Lululemon provide high-quality Best Travel Yoga Mat UK that offers the perfect balance of comfort, ease, durability, weight, and portability and facilitates cleanliness.

What is a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program? A 200 Hour yoga teacher training program is a course that consists of basic techniques that are essential for learning yoga training. This program is recognized by Yoga Alliance which is an international organization that is famous for providing yoga training worldwide.

This program enables a person to be recognized as a Registered and certified Yoga instructor. It generally provides basic yoga training skills such as training in yoga philosophy, yoga anatomy, proper alignment, and a complete knowledge of the yoga teaching field.

Yoga experts have introduced many different styles of yoga and each of these styles offers a 200 Hour yoga teacher training uk session, so you can choose any style according to your choice.

There are two most common styles of getting training in a 200 Hour program which are joined by a number of people.

These styles include:

200 Hour vinyasa yoga teacher training

200 Hour yin yoga teacher training

Each of these serves different purposes and objectives.

Types of 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program 

Many styles and skills can be learnt during a 200 Hour yoga teacher training uk session. You can choose your desired style as per your taste. This program will shape your teaching and practice.

Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training

At first, 200 hour Vinyasa yoga teacher training session is the most common training program which involves an adaptive and continuous process. It focuses on coordinating and balancing your breath while moving and also enables your body to create a dynamic flow so that you can smoothly shift from one pose to the other.

This training session also laid emphasis on your physical strength, elasticity of your body, and focused breathing, so that you can learn proper alignment for each pose.

In this 200 Hour online yoga teacher training session, you will learn so many skills such as:

1. Firstly, the basic principles of creating such movements that are safe and innovative.
2. Secondly, how to balance your breath and meditation during your vinyasa practice.

Yin Yoga Teacher Training

If you prefer a bit slow, gradual and mindful yoga practice, then a 200 hour yin yoga teacher training session might be the best choice for you to learn. This is a strongly nurturing and calming yoga training style that lays stress upon refreshing and relaxing pauses in your poses so that you can stretch your body peacefully and gently.

This will create a sense of mindfulness and serenity. The basic purpose of yin yoga is to keep your tissues and hormones in relaxing mode so that you can release your tension. That is why we can call it a deep relaxation session, which is a must for a yoga instructor to learn.

Through this yoga learning session, you will be able to learn the following things such as:

Firstly, the impact of a slow and mindful process on your body movements.

Secondly, a series of benefits of longer pauses and passive postures.

Thirdly, how you can guide your future students through a life-changing process of self-learning and relaxation.

However, both of these programs can be organized in a number of styles and ways.

A 200 Hour Yoga Instructor Training Session Must Have

A 200 Hour online yoga teacher training session usually consists of an organized learning framework that aims to provide you a basic understanding of balancing techniques.

Philosophy of Yoga and Basic Ethics

During your yoga training, it is necessary to know about the historical roots of yoga. You may get guidance from significant yoga related books for example; Bhagavad Gita and Sutras of Patanjali etc. These roots also describe key ethical principles for yoga instructors to learn.

Anatomical Study

The anatomical study of the human body is an essential component of an effective yoga teaching practice. This study provides a detailed explanation of the muscular and skeletal systems of humans. It also describes the joint movements to prevent harm and injury.

Teaching Method

During their training session, yoga instructors can also learn how to organize a class as well as how to do academic planning. The instructor must have effective communication skills. This methodology training will help you to become an aspiring and compassionate yoga instructor.

Practice as a teacher

A passionate yoga teacher must have practical experience because it is a key component of a teacher’s training. This practice involves conducting regular classes, receiving feedback from students, and learning how to arrange a disciplined yoga session.

Essential 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Books

Your yoga training is incomplete if you don’t read these famous yoga books. These books can help you a lot in understanding the key aspects of the roots of yoga.

Below we have discussed certain books that are recommended by expert yogis:

The Heart of Yoga, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Light on Yoga for enhancing personal yoga skills. to get a deep knowledge and understanding of the key principles of yoga and significant Asanas.

The Key Muscles of Yoga by Ray Long is A book regarding details yoga anatomy which is essential for understanding body mechanics in each movement, which will lead to preventing harm and damage.

These 200 hour yoga teacher training books will help you a lot in enhancing your skills during training.

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Cost Idea

200 Hour yoga teacher training cost depends upon various factors. These factors can be location, the credibility of the institute, your travel expenses, etc. Usually, the cost ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.

Location:

Location is an important factor. If you want to get training in some famous places, then it may be a little more expensive for you due to travel expenses.

Certification and Registration Fees:

If you want to get registered with some well-known institutes like Yoga Alliance, then you may have to pay certification and registration charges additionally.

Books and Other Materials:

You may have to bear expenses like the cost of yoga training books and any additional materials like props which you may use during practicing yoga techniques. The cost of these materials may be expected as between $100 to $300.

Benefits of Completing a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Let’s discuss some benefits of yoga training session:

This session can lead you to significant personal growth and open new paths of wellness for you to grow.

Here are some of the key benefits in a nutshell:

Practical Development:

The disciplined environment of a yoga class and the friendly nature of your instructors and fellows will have a great impact on you. You will definitely witness personal growth in your practice.

International Growth:

It can provide you with a lot of career opportunities as you grow in a network of fellows and instructors.

Teaching Skills:

You can learn so many things for example; how to organize and maintain classes and how to create a friendly bond with your students so that they can ask questions to you without any hesitation. It can help you boost your confidence level while teaching. The experience of this useful session may help you to discover many new things about yourself.

Conclusion

These courses or programs will help you a lot in different senses like enhancing capabilities, skills and personal growth. You will get certification and become eligible to teach yoga throughout the world. Just start your career as a yoga instructor and the knowledge will help you throughout your life.

How to Use Yoga Blocks: Yoga blocks are essential equipment that helps to strengthen your yoga practice by providing support and alignment in performing various movements and Asanas. The usage of these blocks is helpful and necessary for beginners as well as for yoga experts also. These blocks not only provide flexibility in your movements but also act as support systems in strengthening your postures and positions.

Here we will discuss different and unique ways to use yoga blocks, their benefits, and types, and also detailed instructions on how these yoga props could enhance your yoga practicing skills.

What Are Yoga Blocks?

Yoga blocks are simple tools that are designed to help you support your body movements while performing different yoga poses and postures. These tools are made up of foam, rubber, or wood mostly available in rectangular form and usually about 9 inches in length and 6 inches in width.

Their structure is made up in such a way that they can be used on different sides to provide support to the body of a yogi. These yoga bricks provide the necessary help and support in deepening your stretches and improving your alignment. In this way, these yoga blocks provide stability and strength to your skills.

Benefits of Using Yoga Blocks

Stability and Balance:

As discussed earlier, these Yoga Blocks are helpful in offering support in poses and postures where you need to balance your body without straining. It enhances your skills so that you can keep your focus on your alignment.

Flexibility:

Through these Yoga blocks, you can perform your movements with more ease and flexibility. It brings the floor nearer to you which allows you to perform even more complex and challenging poses.

Alignment:

Yoga Blocks can reduce the risk of injury by providing aid in regulating proper alignment so that you can practice yoga more skillfully and safely.

Strength:

In some poses, yoga blocks can make the situation more complex which results in building more strength and enhancement of your learning skills.

Boost Confidence:

These Blocks are very helpful for beginners in achieving postures that might be a bit difficult for them to attain and they might otherwise avoid such movements. In this way, yoga blocks play an essential role in boosting the confidence of a yogi.

Choosing the Right Yoga Block

Yoga blocks are divided into various categories on the basis of the material used and each type has its own advantages:

Foam Blocks:

A type in which blocks are composed of form. These blocks are lightweight and soft. They are less expensive and can easily be used by anyone whether a beginner or an expert. They provide gentle support in performing various tricks but sometimes they prove to be less reliable for the performance of complex poses.

Cork Blocks or Rubber Blocks:

These blocks are a little more firm and rigid than foam blocks, and therefore they are considered more reliable because they are heavier than foam blocks.

Wooden Blocks:

Wooden Blocks are the heaviest blocks that can provide maximum support and stability. They are usually much harder and therefore may be less comfortable for beginners.

You can read out previous piece of content for finding the best yoga blocks.

How to Use Yoga Blocks in Key Yoga Poses

Now, let’s just take a look at how to use yoga blocks more skillfully.

1. Uttanasana – Forward Fold

Forward fold or Uttanasana is the most common pose where yogis use the yoga blocks. Due to lower back stiffness in a forward fold, it is a bit hard to reach the floor. So, at this point, we can use a yoga block for support and to get help to reach nearer to the floor.

How do you use a yoga block in Uttanasana?

Before bending at your hips take place the yoga block in front of you. Now start Stretching your arms forward, and then put your hands on the block. Use the block to provide support so that you can lean into the stretch and relax your muscles.

2. Anjaneyasana – Low Lunge

While doing Anjaneyasana or Low Lunge yoga poses, a yoga block can prove to be very helpful. Because while performing this pose, the most challenging thing is to maintain balance, in such poses, yoga blocks can provide stability.

How do you use a yoga block in Low Lunge Poses:

Firstly, place a block beside your front foot. Then lunge your hands on the blocks for more stable movement. Adjust the block height as needed by you according to your capacity.

3. Trikonasana – Triangle Pose

In Trikonasana or Triangle Pose, the most difficult thing is to maintain proper alignment to reach the floor with stretches.

How do you use yoga blocks in the Triangle Pose:

At first, place a block outside your front foot to provide support to your hand. You can adjust block height as per your flexibility.

4. Setu Bandhasana – Bridge Pose

In Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose, it is essential to use a yoga block so that it can provide support to you to maintain your position carefully.

How do you use yoga blocks in the Bridge Pose?

Option 1 (Support):
Place the yoga block under the sacrum area, Sacrum is the area above your tailbone. When you lift your hips then rest of your weight will be on the block. In this way, it will provide you with support.

Option 2 (Challenge):
In this position, place the block between your knees, and then lift the block as much as you can which results in lifting of your hips. This will enhance your inner strength, especially the strength of your thighs.

5. Virasana – Hero Pose

Virasana which is known as Hero Pose is a little bit complex pose for those who have less flexibility. You can feel a little bit of discomfort in the knees.

How do you use yoga blocks in Virasana?

Use yoga blocks to avoid any mishaps. Place the block between your heels and now you can start sitting down on the block, now the blocks will provide support to your weight and you will be safe from any problem.

6. Bakasana – Crow Pose

Bakasana which is also known as Crow Pose is a pose to maintain balancing positions therefore it requires a lot of strength and effort. In such kinds of poses, yoga blocks can be used to help in attaining the required positions.

How do you use a yoga block in Bakasana :

Before placing your hands at shoulder width on the floor place a yoga block in front of you. Now start placing your head on the yoga block along with try to lift your feet off the ground.

7. Matsyasana – Fish Pose

Matsyasana is a soothing and calming pose also known as Supported Fish. It helps in unfolding your chest and shoulders. We use the yoga blocks in it for support to our spine and head.

How to Use:

At first, just place a block in a horizontal direction under your shoulder blades and lay down on it.

Other Creative Uses of Yoga Blocks

Yoga blocks are not only used in particular poses but they can also be used creatively to enhance your yoga skills and practice:

Strength-Building Exercises:

Yoga blocks can also be used for strength-building techniques. You can use them by placing a block between your thighs in certain poses such as a Chair Pose or a Bridge Pose as we have discussed earlier.

Core Work:

Let’s talk about the Boat Pose which is also known as Navasana. This pose involves holding yoga blocks between your hands or legs to maintain the required positions more efficiently.

Deepen Your Flexibility:

In positions like Butterfly Pose or Baddha Konasana, you can place a block under your knees to support your legs. In such poses, these blocks provide intense support and improve your body’s flexibility.

Conclusion:

When you start learning how to use yoga blocks effectively it can open up a new path of wellness for you which enhances your comfort and strength in yoga practice. These simple pieces offer you great strength and help you a lot in making complex positions more convenient.