The 4 reasons why starting Yoga with a cheap mat is not the best idea
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So let’s say you have discovered Yoga, and you want to give it a serious try. After all, it feels so good and its practice has many benefits which you may have already tasted. As a first step you have figured it out which classes or teacher or youtube channel you will initially follow.
Then something comes to your mind: “Mmm, maybe I should get my own Yoga mat”. You are still not sure if you would really enjoy it or be able to stick to a regular practice. Since you are a beginner, you apply some common sense and decide to look for some cheap options to start with. May be investing in a better one once you become more experienced.
But this approach, however logical, can be ironically a trap to your own practice. Here is why:
When we start something, normally we decide to go for a cheap option. After all, we are right to think that we will not be able to enjoy all the benefits and characteristics of the expensive option till we haven’t acquired more experience. To give an example. Why would I buy an expensive piano if I cannot even put properly three notes altogether. If I wouldn’t be getting all the tones and nuances that only a pair of expert hands can get out of it, right?
But in Yoga normally we miss a point. The Yoga mat wouldn’t be that piano, to follow with the metaphor. Your body and mind is the piano. As you progress in practice you will be able to take out more of your body and your mind. Not of your Yoga mat.
The Yoga mat is just a support to your practice, something to help. If you are just starting, won’t you need more help? Let’s elaborate:
When you are starting, you need more comfort.
If you open Instagram you will see plenty of yoga teachers or experienced practitioners doing really challenging poses on difficult surfaces (whether that kind of exhibition is really Yoga is a matter for another post).
But when you are a beginner, some of the foundational poses will not be very comfortable by themselves, until you get the grip of them.
So make sure you don’t add extra discomfort with your mat, choosing one with an agreeable surface and enough space (if the mat is too small you will spend part of the time readjusting not to get your body out of it, adding more distractions).
Your balance and grounding is not trained.
Initially balance is more challenging and you need better grip and grounding. Besides the comfort, be sure your mat gives you a stable, reliable surface to practice.
If your mat is getting rolled up, sliding or slippery, or so thick that you lose balance, you will not enjoy much your sesion.
Building regularity is more difficult.
Having a Yoga mat that you really like may be some extra help to build that “sacred space” for your practice and increase your motivation. Something that is much needed to build a solid Yoga routine.
You may want to stay away from toxic materials.
Many of the cheap mats (like PVC ones) are built using toxic materials. If you are working to be regular, maybe you want to avoid regular exposure too.
And to conclude, the difference of price between a cheap, low quality mat and a good one is usually not very big, but as we saw the effects on your progress can be sensible
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Take these points into account; the variety of brands, designs and materials is very extensive.
If you want to check our Yoga mats designs, visit our shop:
