| The mat is the most ubiquitous piece of equipment in | | | | When putting your mat away, remember to keep it |
| yoga practice. Yoga as an exercise is done with | | | | in a dry, dark, and cool place. Moisture can be |
| maximum comfort and safety by using a mat to | | | | absorbed by the mat, and this moisture can build |
| cushion and insulate the yogi, or yoga practitioner, | | | | over time, meaning you could end up with a damp |
| from the floor or ground. As such, an eco friendly | | | | mat the next time you unfurl it. This is more than a |
| yoga mat deserves attention and care. | | | | little uncomfortable, so remember to air the mat out |
| These mats are affordable but not exactly cheap. | | | | before storing it and make sure that you store it in a |
| Taking care of them will lengthen their life spans and | | | | dry place. Try not leaving the mat out in the sun too |
| maximize their utility, and can save the user money in | | | | long. A little sun time is good for removing odors, but |
| the long run. Doing so also reduces production impact | | | | too long and the rubber becomes rough and a little |
| on the environment, much like buying an eco friendly | | | | tougher. |
| mat. Caring for a mat is divided into two parts: | | | | Cleaning your eco friendly yoga mat is important to |
| storage and cleaning. | | | | avoid bacterial and residual buildup, as well as to |
| Storage means rolling your mat up and putting it | | | | prevent unsightly stains. Since you will most likely be |
| somewhere when it is not in use. There is a right | | | | practicing yoga with others in a class of some |
| way and a wrong way to roll up an eco friendly yoga | | | | description, it is best to keep your mat as clean as |
| mat. When rolling up a mat that is used for yoga, it is | | | | you can. Light cleaning can be done regularly, and |
| important to roll it such that the surface that is used | | | | uses only a little water and a cloth. Simply spray the |
| for exercise, the active surface if you will, is on the | | | | surface of the mat and rub with the cloth. Do this |
| outside of the roll. By doing so, you will make it easier | | | | for the entire mat around once a month, or more |
| to use the next time you use it. A rolled-up mat will | | | | often if you use it more frequently. For serious |
| retain some curl the next time it is laid out, so by | | | | soiling, you will need to wash the mat. Wash the mat |
| rolling it such that the used surface is outside, you | | | | with cold water and a small amount of household |
| end up with a mat that curls downward at the ends. | | | | cleanser, detergent, or even baking soda. The less |
| This is easier to flatten and use rather than when the | | | | soap you use to wash your mat, the better, since |
| corners are curling upward. To lessen the curling, you | | | | this will prevent soap seeping into the mat and |
| could also loosen the roll when you put the mat | | | | making it slippery when in use. |
| away for storage. | | | | |