A yoga mat is really the only thing that you tend to use on every yoga workout. It cushions your feet and gives you stability during some of the stretching moves. This mat is a full 1/4" thick and provides great cushion for your yoga routines.
First, a note about all yoga mats. Because of what they are made of, they tend to have a chemical type of smell when you first get them. This is normal! You simply air them out for a few days, perhaps wipe them down with soap and water, and this will dissipate. It's like breaking in a new pair of boots - you have to go through that initial phase.
I found the mat to be really wonderful. It is cushiony enough that it supports me in a variety of poses, whether I'm standing, kneeling, laying down, stretching. It is far better than doing yoga on a bare floor - whether that might be wood, stone, carpet or whatever. The cushion is really important for many poses.
Even though it has that nice cushion, it is also stable too. You feel quite firmly planted when you are doing balancing positions. It's not like you are trying to balance on top of a trampoline.
The mat is a good middle ground between "resistant to sliding" and "too sticky". You can readjust your feet when you need to - but if you want to plant your hands, it helps keep your hands in place.
I also really like that the mats comes in a wide variety of colors. People are more likely to exercise if they really like their exercise equipment. If you love green, go for green. I got the light lavender and really like it. To me it is calming and relaxing. Whatever color energizes or relaxes you, you probably can find it here.
The mat might be a little bulky to carry around with you, but you can get a lighter mat for use when you travel. This one is just perfect as an at-home mat, to really give you a solid base for whatever level of yoga you are currently at.
Highly recommended! YogaAccessories (TM) 1/4'' Extra Thick High Density Yoga Mat (Phthalate Free) - Dark Blue
I bought this yoga mat about a month ago and have used it over a dozen times already. As soon as I got the mat in the mail I opened it, washed it with soap and water and hung it to dry for two days. This is something my teacher recommended as she says it helps because new mats tend to be less sticky and washing helps break them in faster. The first couple of times I used the mat it was still a little slippery. My hands slid out alot when I was in downward facing dog, but the mat seems to be improving with time. That's why I am waiting to write this review. I love the mat; it's breaking in very well. The thickness is really nice especially when doing boat and when rocking on the spine...I don't feel the floor and therefore no pain. The extra length is also nice...it gives me more room. All in all it's a great mat, and for the price it's even better. And I loved the color selection. I went with burgandy and my unique color sticks out in class...helps me find my mat if I leave the room and come back, and it also helps me in the locker room when there are 3 dozen women with mats (mostly pink I might add). Great mat, highly recommended...just give it time to get broken in!
The thickness of this mat is very comfortable. It's much better than the 1/8" mat which I find it too thin. This 1/4" mat gives me enough padding when I sit, and it doesn't throw me off balance when I stand. I also like the length of this mat which is 4" longer than the standard size mat. It's so good to have so much room to stretch when I lay down. Item arrived within the delivery estimate time. Very prompt service.
I am a daily yoga practitioner who purchased two of these mats in different colors. I was looking for a bargain, and I was encouraged by the high customer ratings. I am very disappointed. First of all, Yoga Accessories did not send me the items until 3+ weeks after I had ordered them. I had to write two e-mails to them. I received replies that they were sorry, they had been meaning to write me and tell me that the colors I had wanted were out of stock and did I want to select other colors. Then, when I did that and finally received the mats, they had a sharp, unpleasant chemical odor that has failed to disappear even after many days of use. This is bothersome during yoga, and I have to light several scented candles and incense sticks to mask the odor.
Perhaps WORST of all, the mats are not sufficiently sticky to hold asanas. For example, my hands slide 1 mm per second in correct Downward Facing Dog pose. It should be noted that I do not have sweaty hands and never have. This is very frustrating because this slippery mat basically defeats the purpose of what it was created for: proper positioning and hold of yoga poses. I have not had this problem with other mats for which I have paid slightly more money.
The only advertising that is true is that the mat is, indeed, slightly thicker than other mats I have owned. But that really doesn't make much of a difference if one cannot hold a pose on the mat.
Despite my correct usage and storage of it, I absolutely do not recommend this product. Find a better quality yoga mat if you need the mat for actual yoga. This one might be appropriate only for other sports like aerobics or jumping rope. I almost hurt myself slipping out of a pose on this mat.
I really enjoy this mat. It was my first yoga mat so I wasn't sure what to expect. If you're trying to decide which one to get as your first, you won't be disappointed with this one! It's thick, well-made, pretty (I leave mine out in my work out room all the time), and it's a GOOD size. I'm a plus size woman (for now) and I find it's plenty big enough. I'm also 5'8'' and think the length of it is great. I didn't think it would make much of a difference (it is on carpet anyway), but it did. Not only does it make a mental difference to have my own little area to do my stretches, but it just makes stretches better for some reason! - Exercise - Wii Fit - Yoga - Exercise Mats'
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