Yoga Mats

Marykaa · 04-19-2006, 02:33 PM

I tried the teacher's mat this Monday and found it was much safer, in that it didn't slide and was long enough.

I'm looking to buy one, but would like to know what's important. I notice there are different thicknesses.. I only plan to do 2 hours a week.. will I ware through a thin one? anybody know of a good online place to order one? anything else I should know about yoga mats?

thanks!

ShannonB · 04-19-2006, 04:46 PM

I really don't see you wearing through a thin mat. I think the main difference between different mat thickness is actually just how much padding it gives you. Since one of the primary functions of the mat is grip, it seems to me that you'll wear off the surface of any thickness of mat as quickly as any other. So get a thicker one if you like more cushion, a thinner one if you need to pack it small to carry it around.

Re: ordering online. I recently got a new one online, but I learned a valuable lesson! Don't order from the States if they intend to use a courier company to send it up here to Canada! If they send it via mail that's fine, you'll get dinged by customs on the way but it's not bad.

Mine came via UPS though and they charged me about half again my purchase as a fee for passing it through customs, and customs were charged on top of that. I was unenthused. So, order within Canada, or get them to send it via mail!

Marykaa · 04-20-2006, 08:55 AM

I was going to buy it at onlinefit.com where I bought my Polar HR monitor, but the shipping is 12 bucks so I'll look around in local stores.. my gym sells them but real thin, at 28$.

I have my left foot's metatarsals that are "sunken" so I have to wear a support in my shoes.. if I'm going to be bare foot on the mat on a hard floor I'd rather have a little thicker mat, otherwise I wouldn't care.

Thanks for the note about duties.. I noticed when I bought the Outdoor fitness that I had to pay duties.. but I thought it came by mail.. so I'm not sure that by mail they are duty free either..

ShannonB · 04-20-2006, 09:07 AM

The one I just got is a bit thicker than my first one, and I must say I enjoy the extra padding.

My other one works just fine though, and I bought it in a miscellaneous gift section of an unrelated store. (Though, I guarantee I paid more for it there than I would have at a proper sporting goods store).

The other thing about a slightly thicker mat that I like, is the extra insulation it gives from cold floors. Not an issue in the Bikram's class, of course. More relevant for when I practice at home. I think I remember you mentioning your class was a bit chilly?

Marykaa · 04-20-2006, 09:35 AM

Yes! the class just before is an Cardio-Tae-Boxe class so they keep it real cool. but also, the first time I went.. I didn't get changed after the Buns of Steel and Cardio Tae-boxe class..so you can imagine.. all sweaty and in shorts. I was actually freezing!

on thursdays I only have the yoga class so it's less of a problem.

at home I could use the camping mat I have.. but it stretches out a little.. not sure what that would do.. it quite a bit thicker.. I use it for crunches and stuff.. but not sure how it would do for yoga..

besides.. in class.. I don't want to stand out buy bringing a camping mat.

CharlieShnoskyIII · 08-17-2007, 01:41 AM

Go Marykaa! Wicked!

jfitty · 08-26-2007, 04:59 AM

I bought a really expensive yoag mat, and at the same time my sister bought a cheap one from the cheap shop up the street it has been 5 years since we bought them and to tell the truth they both look pretty much the same so I dont think there is that much diffrent except in the thickness for cushion really.