The yoga mat is a yogis prized possession. We become so attached, emotionally, to our favourite mat that we end up keeping it for longer than we probably should.
I am prime example of this. I’ve had my beloved yoga mat for almost a decade, it’s seen daily practices, train journeys, plane journeys, a teacher training, sandy beaches, dusty floors and buckets and buckets of sweat!
I’ve taken care of it, I’ve cleaned it religiously and I’ve really really loved it. But now it has this Sarah shaped print in the middle and it quite obviously time for a change.
But your perfect yoga mat it a challenging thing to find, like Goldilocks we are all looking for one that is just right. Not to bouncy, not too slippy, not too heavy.
I recently got to try the new Manduka Prolite Yoga mat and I can honestly say it’s a dream. Retailing at around £70, which is about average for a decent yoga mat, this beautiful mat is my new favourite thing to practice on, ticking all of my must haves when it comes to a yoga mat.
Some tips for ‘breaking in’ a new yoga mat (so it’s not too slippy)
- Cover it in salt, leave on for 24hours
- Wipe salt away it damp cloth
- Always roll your mat top side out so the ends lay flat when you practice
- buy some chalk for Amazon, talc won’t work the same as it’s diluted for softness
It helps to clean your mat after each practice so your sweat doesn’t damage the material. You can buy a ready mat spray or make one yourself out of your favourite essential oils. I like to mix tea tree with peppermint and water to clean mine.
Invest in a mat bag to keep your mat protected whilst travelling from class to class. This is the place where you create magic, transform yourself, learn more about yourself and grow. Keep your yoga mat special and sacred so your yoga journey can be even more beautiful.