How to Roll Up a Yoga Mat? For Long Lasting

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.