Yoga

How to Roll Up a Yoga Mat? For Long Lasting

Published

1 day ago

4 October 2024

adming

Yoga is the oldest way to improve physical health and inner peace and yoga mats are essential for getting proper results, whether you are an experienced person or a new practitioner.

Taking care of a yoga mat for long-lasting is important so today I will discuss with you How to Roll Up a Yoga Mat correctly for long-lasting, cleanliness and storage. You can increase your yoga mat’s longevity and save its corners from turning or preserve its shape with proper rolling.

Importance of Roll Up a Yoga Mat Correctly

It might be possible that you wonder why I pay attention to such a small thing as how to roll up a yoga mat. But it has a huge impact on your mat’s life, durability, cleanliness and even it has impact on your health.

Let’s dig down a little deeper

Durability:

Not rolling or Incorrect rolling is the major cause of cracking mats and this process becomes quicker in rubber mats.

Hygiene:

If you are not rolling your mat it will fill with germs with time and if you are rolling it daily you are saving it from dirt and debris.

Portability:

A properly rolled mat can be easier to carry and you can easily store it.

Space:

By rolling your mat correctly, you can keep your space organized.

Let’s take a look at some of the major ways through which we can roll up mats of different materials:

How to Roll Up a Yoga Mat: The Basics

Firstly, we will discuss a basic method for rolling up a standard material mat after that we will discuss some specific types of yoga mats rolling cork, etc.

The best technique for rolling mats is made from materials like PVC, rubber, or foam.

Steps for Rolling Up a Yoga Mat:

Lay Your Mat Flat:

Put the mat flat on the ground and make sure, the side which is used for practice should be upward. Through this, we will ensure the front side of the mat remains protected and clean.

Align the Edges:

Edges should also align to make their corners safe from cracking by unnecessary bending.

Start Rolling from One End:

Now start the rolling from one end towards another and make sure both the roll edges remain in the same alignment.

Keep It Tight:

Try to put some pressure to keep the tight rolling that will help us maintain the mat structure and make it easier to transport.

Fasten the Roll:

After rolling the mat, It is recommended to use a strap or elastic band to secure it if you have one.

This is the simplest way to roll a yoga mat and it will work for almost all standard yoga mats, but if I talk about some specific material of mats like cork, it requires a little variation in this method.

Let’s take a look:

How to Roll Up a Cork Yoga Mat

All the experienced yogis already know about Cork material due to its excellent grip, eco-friendliness, and durability. And these are the basic reasons for its popularity among the people. As the cork mats a stiffer compared to a regular mat, so we need to pay some extra attention to its rolling.

Steps for Rolling a Cork Yoga Mat:

Let the Mat Air Out:

First of all, if you had a specific sweaty session on cork yoga mats then put this mat in the air to dry and disinfect. Sunlight or dry air prevents the mat from becoming sticky.

Roll from the Smooth Side:

Start rolling from the smooth side to prevent the cork from cracking or damaging as well as its cleanliness.

Start Slowly:

As we all know the cork yoga mats are a bit stiffer than a regular mat so we need to put more pressure on it to keep the rolling tight.

Elastic Band or Strap:

Cork mats are heavier so always use a proper elastic band or a strap to keep the mat rolled. This thing also helps us to move the mat from one place to another and its storage.

Store Flat if Possible:

If you don’t have space issues then it is recommended to store your cork mat flat.

These are the few steps by which we can increase our cork mat life and keep it in a good condition.

How to Roll Up a Lululemon Yoga Mat

Lululemon is a well-known brand for high-quality yoga mats and premium grip. Mostly Lululemon’s mats have a double-sided surface, one for traction and a bit softer other side.

Steps for Rolling a Lululemon Yoga Mat:

Decide Which Side to Roll:

Decide first which of the Lululemon yoga mat sides (grippy or softer) you mostly use and start rolling from the other side so we can save it from dust or dirt

Align the Mat:

Make sure, the edges are well aligned to avoid creases while rolling.

Apply Pressure:

Start the mat rolling from one side to another and put a high amount of pressure to tighten the rolling because typically Lululemon mats are a bit thicker compared to standard mats.

Secure with a Strap or Bag:

Secure your rolled mat with a strap or an elastic band and if you don’t have you can use the yoga mat bags for this purpose. By this, we can easily carry our yoga mat to transport as well as its storage.

How to Keep a Yoga Mat Rolled Up

The simplest and the easiest thing to keep your mat rolled up is the use of a yoga mat strap or elastic band. These things will keep your mat rolled as well as also save the edges from cracking. Various straps and elastic bands are available in the market at the cheapest prices.

Storing Your Yoga Mat Correctly

After rolling your mat the second most necessary thing is to store it. Always, keep these points in your mind while storing them to increase their longevity.

Avoid Direct Sunlight:

The standard materials which are still using to make a yoga mat rubber, PVC, or cork which can be degraded in direct sunlight. So, always make sure you have placed it in a cool and dry place.

Use a Mat Bag:

The better option is to use the yoga mat bags if you practice yoga in studios or outside.

Conclusion

How to roll a yoga mat seems unnecessary or a small detail but it will increase your yoga mat longevity and durability. Apart from that this way you can easily store it, secure it, clean it as well can save your space. If you have done it, your mat is ready for the next session.

Yoga

TPE vs EVA Yoga Mat & NBR vs PVC Yoga Mat

Published

3 days ago

2 October 2024

adming

TPE vs EVA Yoga Mat & NBR vs PVC Yoga Mat: Yoga is a perfect way of exercise to improve not only your mental and physical health but it is best for inner peace also, but keep in mind ideal equipment is necessary to achieve this. The most important piece of equipment is the right yoga mat for practitioners. Hundreds of yoga mats are available in the market and all of them are not equally beneficial even not equally built. Numerous materials are used to build a yoga mat.

So, today we will try to compare a few of the materials so that a person can easily finalize which yoga mat can prove good for him.

Which is better, TPE or EVA?

When we come up with finalizing the yoga mat material, a new question arises in our minds regarding the better material, TPE or EVA.

Let’s go a bit deeper to finalize

TPE Yoga Mat Material

TPE stands for Thermoplastic Elastomers a type of plastic and rubber polymers with specific properties like thermic and elastic and normally used to build sports equipment. This material is being used to build yoga mats and the major reason is that TPE can be easily converted or molded to different shapes.

Normally the yoga mats made with TPE are light in weight, durable, anti-skid and highly resistant to moisturizing. So these mats are easy to clean. That’s why they are a bit costly compared to other mats.

If I talk about the downside of TPE yoga mats, they can be slippery when wet along with they have a bit lighter smell of rubber.

EVA Yoga Mat Material

EVA stands for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate a synthetic material used to make yoga mats due to its features for example, these mats are light in weight and have great resistance to cracking. Apart from that these material mats are durable and well known for their comfort level and easy to clean due to their moisture-resistant feature.

If I talk about the downside of EVA yoga mats they have some specific odor as the material contains the chemicals. These mats normally compress with time and regular usage and even they can also lose their cushioning after a specific time. Try to avoid these mats from direct sunlight otherwise, they can be cracked.

TPE vs EVA Yoga Mats

Let’s compare the yoga mat material performance, both material mats are good in grip and anti-skid but TPE mat is much more slip-resistant compared to EVA. In the same way, If I talk about sustainability then I think TPE mat is a much better option as it is easily recyclable.

TPE vs NBR vs PVC Yoga Mat

You can read in detail above about TPE mat material.

NBR Yoga Mat Material

NBR stands for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber which is a synthetic rubber material mostly used in the automotive industry. As the material offers good cushioning and insulation for our joints that’s why yoga mats are built of this material. NBR mats are cost-effective and durable.

If I talk about the downside of NBR yoga mats, this material is built by humans so that’s why it is not very environmentally friendly compared to more organic material. As it’s built with rubber, the mats are a bit heavier in weight with poor elasticity so that’s why not easy to carry and transport.

PVC Yoga Mat Material

PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride a plastic material well known due to its durability and grip. PVC mats are much more affordable or cost-effective and it’s widely available. These mats are light in weight so can easily be carried and transported.

PVC yoga mats are cheaper as it is built with low-quality material. These mats have specific unpleasant odors. They can be slippery when wet or sweaty and do not offer much cushioning. These mats are not very popular among the users due to their drawbacks.

Which is the best yoga mat

It is a bit difficult to recommend a single material because all materials have their own features so, it depends on the practitioner which kind of exercise he has a plan to do as well as what kind of environment he lives. If the practitioner has a plan to move or travel with a yoga mat daily then definitely, the choice will be different compared to that one who doesn’t have a plan to travel with a yoga mat.

We have shared all the features for materials, you can choose any one of them that fulfills your requirements. You can read about a few more yoga mat materials here.

Is TPE Safe for Skin?

As the TPE is made with non-toxic materials that’s why it’s less likely to cause different allergies. So, it’s usually considered safe for the skin.

Is Eva Safe for Skin?

EVA yoga mat material is also considered safe for the skin but the people who are already suffering from allergies, EVA can be caused by increasing it as this material is also built with chemicals.

Yoga

Natural Rubber vs Cork Yoga Mat – which is Better?

Published

2 weeks ago

18 September 2024

adming

Yoga is a perfect exercise for the physical health and inner peace. Yoga has been practicing several years ago. A perfect yoga mat is an essential accessory for yoga lovers or practitioners. Yoga mat material matters a lot for convenience that’s why this is the most important thing to know about Natural Rubber vs Cork Yoga Mat – which is Better?

Each yoga mat material has its own characteristics. So, choosing the right material is to maintain the comfort level necessary.

Let’s go a little deeper about Rubber vs Cork Yoga Mat

Cork Yoga Workout / Exercise Mat

These mats are made of a sustainable material named Cork. Cork is a material, we get from the oak trees normally found in Italy and Spain.

Pros and Cons of Cork Yoga Mats

Cork yoga mats have a lot of advantages that’s why a huge amount of yogis prefer cork exercise mats.

Pros of Cork Exercise Mats

Lightweight – most importantly the cork yoga mats are light in weight.

Eco-Friendly – the cork material has anti-microbial characteristics so the mats built with this material are eco-friendly. Apart from this, yoga practitioners feel a natural and enjoyable comfort level Which is most important for our mental health.

Non-Slippery Surface: It has a non-slippery surface that provides an injury-free environment. Most of the yoga poses require more grip so due to the non-slippery surface, we feel comfort during such poses.

Biodegradable: Cork material is easily biodegradable and recyclable. The waste of cork is easily used to make other cork items.

Easy to Clean: As the cork yoga mats are lightweight, they are easy to clean. You can use your homemade remedies to clean it instead of buying a proper yoga mat cleaner. I have already written an article on yoga mat cleaning remedies, you can read it here.

Cons of Cork Yoga Mat

Costly – As compared to other yoga mat materials, cork yoga mats are a bit costly.

Thickness – Cork mats are up to 5-6mm maximum available in the market whereas, you can find up to 12-15mm thick mats in other materials which helps those who are suffering from joint pain.

Space: As the cork mats are not easily foldable, if you are concerned with storing space you should choose another material for a yoga mat. I have already discussed all the other yoga mat materials, you can read them here in detail.

Natural Rubber Yoga Mat

Rubber is a synthetic, long-lasting and durable yoga mat material. We get this material from the sap of rubber trees.

Pros and Cons of Natural Rubber Yoga Mats

Pros of Rubber Yoga Mat Material

Eco-Friendly & Sustainable: Like cork mat material, rubber material is also eco-friendly and sustainable. A few mats are built with a natural rubber material that makes them more environmental-friendly and a few of the mats are built with synthetic rubber that is also not bad for the environment.

Comfort Level: Rubber material offers a non-slippery and good grippy surface that increases the comfort level while performing different yoga poses. With a non-slippery surface, we remain safe from injuries.

Anti-microbial: Like cork material, rubber material also has anti-microbial characteristics. That’s why natural rubber mats are easy to clean. After the hot yoga poses, the mat may be sweatier than usual but can be cleaned easily with homemade remedies.

Cons of Rubber Yoga Mat

Odor: The bad thing about rubber is, that it has a strong smell as new which reduces after the usage of a couple of days. Another option is to leave it in natural air for a few hours to reduce its odor.

Not Easy to Carry: As the rubber material is not lightweight, the yoga mat can be a bit heavier than the other material yoga mats.

Allergy: Rubber material is not recommended for those who have any kind of allergy to latex.

Are cork yoga mats better?

If I compare it with all other yoga mat materials, the cork is a better option than the all. As the cork mats do not absorb water or sweat they will not become too dusty and dirty and are easy to clean. The last thing is that you should read the pros and cons of all yoga mat materials and choose only the one that fulfills your requirements.

Yoga Mats with Cork and Rubber Materials

A few yoga mats combined with both materials are available in the market. They are made up, with the bonding of natural rubber over the cork material. In this way, a mat with a combination of both materials has the characteristics of both. So, that can be the best option, the only bad thing is that they are costly. But the combined cork & rubber yoga mat material offers a high level of grip and stability due to a non-slippery surface.

Anyway, I have shared all the details regarding the materials so now you can easily get the answer to the question of Natural Rubber vs Cork Yoga Mat – which is Better? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

Yoga

Is an Exercise Mat the same as a Yoga Mat?

Published

3 weeks ago

13 September 2024

adming

We normally get confused while buying a yoga mat that is an Exercise Mat the same as a Yoga Mat. Usually, mats look the same to a new person or beginner but in reality, a fitness or workout exercise mat has huge differences from a yoga mat in functionality and usage.

As per studies, a normal human (who is not suffering from diseases) requires at least half an hour of exercise daily to remain in shape and healthy. A healthy body has a healthy mind are crucial for success.

Various exercises are normally practiced for different purposes like yoga for mental and physical health along with inner peace. To achieve the goals, we require some equipment and the mats are one of them.

Is the mat necessary for exercise?

No matter which type of exercises you are performing like yoga, pilates, weight loss, etc the reality is the mats help us a lot with grip and protection which is required to perform well. Especially, if you are performing yoga, you need a non-slippery surface with a proper thickness level for cushioning and joint protection.

Secondly, the type of material through which the mat is built also matters a lot for a healthy environment. Apart from that, mats save us from direct contact with the floor which is necessary to stay safe from heat, coldness, or harsh weather. So, that’s why mats are necessary during exercises.

Workout / Exercise Mat vs Yoga Mat

Yoga Mat

A yoga mat is specially designed for yoga exercises with extra support and cushioning. Non-slip with a good level of grip to stay safe while performing yoga. Apart from this, a specific level of thickness for different purposes is crucial such as a high thickness level for those who are suffering from joint or knee pains and a low thickness level for travelers. So, thickness level provides a comfort level with yoga exercises.

Workout / Exercise Mat

Whereas, exercise mats are designed to support and protect the body during exercises. Exercise mats are built with thin material with a low thickness level which is why they are usually flat as compared to yoga mats. Because in a normal exercise, we don’t require much cushioning. On the other hand, yoga mats have a higher density level whereas normal workout/exercise mats are not much dense.

Can You Use An Exercise Mat for Yoga?

This is not preferable to use an exercise mat for yoga because both have a huge amount of differences. So, you should use the different mats for both.i

Is a Pilates mat the same as a Yoga Mat?

Pilates mat and yoga mat both have a lot of similarities but still, they are different.

Pilates Mat vs Yoga mat

First of all, if I talk about mat’s thickness level, pilates mats are thicker than yoga mats because we require extra protection to our joints during high-impact movements. Usually, a pilates mat is thicker between 10mm to 15mm.

Material: In the same way, If I talk about the material, the pilates mat is built with softer and more padded material whereas a yoga mat is usually built with more grippy material for better traction during performance.

Texture: yoga mats have different textures that increase the griping level whereas pilates mats have bit smooth surfaces.

Size: Both mats are different in size concerning the poses or exercises. A pilates mat size between 185cm x 60cm whereas a normal yoga mat comes in 180cm x 60cm.

Hot Yoga Mat vs Regular Yoga Mat

The main differences between a Hot Yoga Mat vs Regular Yoga Mat are:

Support & Thickness: A hot yoga mat is thicker as in hot yoga we need more support and cushioning. Normally a hot Yoga mat is around 5mm to 6mm thick and a normal recommended mat that can easily carry during transport is around 3mm to 4mm.

Grip: a regular yoga mat is less grippy as compared to a hot yoga mat.

Material: A hot yoga mat is usually built with material that has quick-drying properties to manage moisture during exercise.

Final Words

This is not recommended to use the same mat for different exercises. Always use the mat as per your exercise means if you are doing hot yoga, you should buy a mat built for hot yoga and the same for other exercises i.e pilates, etc.

Finalize your requirements before buying any mat then you have to choose a perfect one that fulfills your needs.

Anyway, I have tried to explain today’s question Is an Exercise Mat the same as a Yoga Mat? Share your thoughts in our comments section.