Top 5 Features of a Great Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is about more than creating a space for you to practice your poses. It’s a tool that supports your body and gives you grip to achieve that prime form (while staying safe and comfortable, of course). Yet the best mat should be so much more.
What makes the best yoga mat?
1. It Aligns With Your Health and Values: You practice yoga to promote your health and wellness. Your yoga mat should do the same.
So instead of using those PVC mats that are destructive to your health, think about using a natural rubber one that won’t harm your body. A big bonus: This sustainable material won’t damage the environment so it fits your eco-friendly values.
2. It Shows Your Personality and Style: Can you believe that 97 percent of yoga mats are plain? They have no design. Sure, maybe some come in a fun color, but that’s about it. You’ll find a small percentage of mats with a design but many of them feature uninspired shapes, psychedelic patterns or otherwise distracting designs. Worst of all, you often have to compromise function to have an eye-catching mat.
A great yoga mat should enhance your practice while spreading beauty. It should show your yoga class your personality and help you get into the right state of mind every time you hit the mat.
3. It Keeps You In Place: Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how attractive your yoga mat is if it doesn’t get the job done. From Warrior II to Downward Dog, the ideal mat should hold you perfectly in place so your body and mind get the most out of your yoga practice.
Since most yoga injuries are caused by slipping, it’s essential to find a mat with grip that safely holds even in your sweatiest moments.
4. It Supports You: The perfect mat will support you when you’re kneeling or lying down just as much as when you’re standing. It should support your joints and body in any position. For the most comfortable workout, it’s ideal to use a mat that’s at least 4mm thick with a solid cushion.
5. It Gives You Space: When you’re spreading out along the floor or stretching your arms out as far as they’ll go, it's common to need more space than the standard 68”-long mat. An extended mat with a length of 72”, or 6ft, seems to be ideal for performing any asana without limits. Bonus: A longer mat helps keep people out of your personal space!
A yoga mat is about more than creating a space for you to practice your poses. It’s a tool that supports your body and gives you grip to achieve that prime form (while staying safe and comfortable, of course). Yet the best mat should be so much more.
What makes the best yoga mat?
1. It Aligns With Your Health and Values: You practice yoga to promote your health and wellness. Your yoga mat should do the same.
So instead of using those PVC mats that are destructive to your health, think about using a natural rubber one that won’t harm your body. A big bonus: This sustainable material won’t damage the environment so it fits your eco-friendly values.
2. It Shows Your Personality and Style: Can you believe that 97 percent of yoga mats are plain? They have no design. Sure, maybe some come in a fun color, but that’s about it. You’ll find a small percentage of mats with a design but many of them feature uninspired shapes, psychedelic patterns or otherwise distracting designs. Worst of all, you often have to compromise function to have an eye-catching mat.
A great yoga mat should enhance your practice while spreading beauty. It should show your yoga class your personality and help you get into the right state of mind every time you hit the mat.
3. It Keeps You In Place: Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how attractive your yoga mat is if it doesn’t get the job done. From Warrior II to Downward Dog, the ideal mat should hold you perfectly in place so your body and mind get the most out of your yoga practice.
Since most yoga injuries are caused by slipping, it’s essential to find a mat with grip that safely holds even in your sweatiest moments.
4. It Supports You: The perfect mat will support you when you’re kneeling or lying down just as much as when you’re standing. It should support your joints and body in any position. For the most comfortable workout, it’s ideal to use a mat that’s at least 4mm thick with a solid cushion.
5. It Gives You Space: When you’re spreading out along the floor or stretching your arms out as far as they’ll go, it's common to need more space than the standard 68”-long mat. An extended mat with a length of 72”, or 6ft, seems to be ideal for performing any asana without limits. Bonus: A longer mat helps keep people out of your personal space!
The Artletica Yoga Mat: Beautiful + Functional
Introducing an innovative yoga mat that gets you compliments and keeps you in perfect form.
Artletica designed a new yoga mat that offers all the features of an ideal mat. The Artletica mat combines art and athletics. We designed our mats to provide the best function for a superior yoga experience and beauty through calming, inspiring patterns.
Function
- Made of sustainable natural rubber, it's good to your body and the environment.
- With technologically advanced grip, it keeps itself and you in place -- regardless of heat, sweat and other conditions.
- At 5mm thick, 24" wide and 72” long, it provides enough space and support in every pose.
Beauty
Our mats get you noticed. They make you stand out. Expect your yoga class to ask you where you got yours. Yet the beauty is also for you. Every time you lay out your mat -- whether you're at a yoga class or practicing at home -- we hope our unique artistic designs make you smile.
Function
- Made of sustainable natural rubber, it's good to your body and the environment.
- With technologically advanced grip, it keeps itself and you in place -- regardless of heat, sweat and other conditions.
- At 5mm thick, 24" wide and 72” long, it provides enough space and support in every pose.
Beauty
Our mats get you noticed. They make you stand out. Expect your yoga class to ask you where you got yours. Yet the beauty is also for you. Every time you lay out your mat -- whether you're at a yoga class or practicing at home -- we hope our unique artistic designs make you smile.
What people are saying about us...
Sometimes finding the inspiration to practice yoga can be challenging. So I find different ways to ignite that fire within me. It usually involves throwing on some good music, drinking copious amounts of coffee and unrolling my beautiful Artletica yoga mat! As an artist, I love and appreciate things that are aesthetically pleasing. Not only is this mat beautiful, but it’s absolutely functional. It’s insanely grippy and eco-friendly! What more can you ask for?
Stephanie Jensen - @yogawithsteff
My new mat from Artletica is really is the best mat I’ve ever practiced on... the texture feels amazing and I didn’t slip at all. I love how it has heaviness to it. You can just tell it’s top quality. I’ve practiced on Manduka (which everyone has) and I say I prefer Artletica. Goes without saying that it is also the most beautiful mat I’ve ever practiced on.
Colin Oakley - @colinoakleyyoga