Why Do I Need a Yoga Mat?

Why do I need a yoga mat, it’s a most asked question by new yoga practitioners. Let’s start to explore the concern. Yoga mats are more than just mats because they provide dedicated space for exercise along with comfort, stability, and most importantly hygienic environment.

Cushioning is the major reason behind the usage of a yoga mat. Several people use the mat only for this purpose. Yoga has numerous poses or exercises in which we put pressure on our joints such as knees, wrists, or elbows and a yoga mat helps us to easily perform these exercises with comfort without facing any injury. Due to the mat’s padding, we remain in comfortable states over the hard floor, especially for those exercises in which we have to lay down on the back, or the knees which can be uncomfortable or harsh.

Stability and grip are the secondary reasons behind yoga mat usage. Yoga has a bunch of exercises in which we need a strong base or foundation to maintain balance, and most of the time it becomes difficult to perform over the slippery floors without sliding. As the mats are built with anti-skid material we can easily maintain our balance during yoga. This thing also reduces the risk of injury.

A hygienic environment is also necessary to stay healthy and we got it through the yoga mats. I think each of us doesn’t want to come in contact directly with the germs or the sweats of others during yoga class in the studio.

Why Are Yoga Mats So Expensive?

A wide range of yoga mats with different prices are available in the market. But why are yoga mats so expensive? Several factors are exactly the reasons for its cost such as material and quality, brand reputation, thickness, size, and some other features.

Some material mats are expensive due to their durability, long-lasting, eco-friendly, and biodegradable features such as natural rubber or foam yoga mats. High-quality mats or branded mats are built using these materials due to better cushioning as well as grip. These are the things that we need in certain yoga poses.

The manufacturing process also has a great impact on yoga mat prices. We experienced that some mats are extra efficient and well-known due to their extra comfortability, and non-toxicity because they have an extra layer for better cushioning. Usually, well-known brands make these kinds of yoga mats that’s why they charge more. These mats are perfect for those who are suffering from joint pains.

Few premium quality mats have better moisture-wicking properties, which is required during hot yoga. These material mats absorb sweat quickly and efficiently which doesn’t make the yoga mat slippery. Lastly, a well-established yoga mat brand charges extra due to its brand reputation. Because they have to maintain their quality and reliability. A few companies also offer different warranties, replacement options, and a lot more with better customer service that increases its cost.

Can I Do Yoga Without a Mat?

Now, let’s move to another common question can I do yoga without a mat? Yes, you can even yoga mats have been introduced for the past few decades or a century. Before this, yoga was practiced without a mat. The need for a mat depends on what type of yoga exercise you are going to perform and where.

Suppose, you are practicing yoga on a clean carpet do you need a yoga mat? The answer is No. Because the carpet will provide you the support for balancing or stability as well as cushioning for your joints. And you will not have the slipperiness. But if you are practicing yoga on a slippery surface or hardwood floor, here doing yoga without a yoga mat can be dangerous for your joints because it can lead you to injury. In this case, you will also not be able to perform all the yoga poses.

In the same way, outdoor yoga is a whole different scenario. You can perform yoga without mat easily in some places such as in a park and on grass. Because it will provide you with all the necessary characteristics that a yoga mat has. But if you are trying over a floor, obviously it is difficult to perform, and lastly, most of the public places are filled with dust or dirt that can lead you towards allergies or other health-related issues.

How to Do Yoga Without a Mat?

Doing Yoga Without a Mat

Yes, it is 100% possible and feasible but before it keep these things in mind while doing yoga without a mat:

Appropriate Surface:

You need to choose a surface on which yoga can be performed without any injury. The surface should not be too hard, otherwise, you will have a slipping issue that can lead to injury and it should not be an unhygienic, dirty, or dusty floor otherwise you will face different health issues in the future instead of physical fitness. Secondly, you should select or practice only those styles that can be done without yoga mats or yoga blocks.

Towel

If you don’t want to use a yoga mat and still have your consideration on hygiene, you can use a yoga towel as an alternative to a yoga mat. Something is better than nothing. The towel will provide you with a little amount of cushioning for your joints.

Appropriate Pose:

You should perform only those poses that don’t require extra cushioning and support. And if you are bound, you should modify certain poses to avoid injury. For example, poses in which we put pressure on our joints that require more care on hard surfaces. Instead of it, you should focus on seated or lying poses in which we don’t have much concern with balancing and slipping.

Several people enjoy yoga by experiencing direct contact with the floor because it gives you a sense of freedom and you feel more connected to nature. You may feel a deeper sense of mindfulness by doing yoga without a mat just you need to pay extra attention to slipperiness and your joints during yoga.

The downside of Doing Yoga Without a Mat

Doing yoga without a yoga mat is possible but with limitations and risks. You can practice limited yoga poses only those that don’t need to put pressure on your joints and don’t have the risk of injury. Because you don’t have a good amount of cushioning and lack of grip. And If take the risk of doing all the yoga poses without a mat, you can put yourself in danger. You can face different health-related issues, different kinds of allergies, or injuries. So it is not recommended. Instead of it, you can use a cheap or inexpensive mat for yoga practice.

Best Cheap & Inexpensive Yoga Mat

Let’s discuss what you should look for in the best cheap & inexpensive yoga mat. Several yoga mats are available at affordable prices with decent quality.

Top factors need to be considered while searching for the best cheap & inexpensive yoga mat.

Thickness with Cushioning:

A mat should have a sufficient amount of thickness as well as cushioning. Usually, a yoga mat with 4-6mm thick is a good option concerning cushioning and it will also not become bulky to carry and travel. We have already discussed the best yoga mat thickness in detail. You can get help from this article.

Gripping & Non-Slippery:

The second most important thing that we need to consider is its gripping level. A mat should not be slippery. Several Cheap & Inexpensive Yoga Mat offers a decent level of grip or non-slippery surface which is most important for stability during yoga.

Non Branded Yoga Mats

If you want to reduce the yoga mat prices, you can move towards non-branded yoga mats or lesser-known brands. These brands offer very competitive prices along with premium mat features. If you are not satisfied with this option, you can wait for the new year or other events when almost all brands offer sales or different deals.

Conclusion

It’s a fact yoga mats are expensive but they have a lot of features that support our yoga campaign to achieve the goals without injuries.

Doing yoga without a mat is 100% possible but with limitations and risks of injuries. A better solution for all these problems is to move towards lesser-known brands or non-branded mats with the necessary features to stay comfortable, risk-free, and well-focused on your practice.

We have described several reasons why yoga mats are expensive and why do I need a yoga mat. Share your views in the comments section.