| Ahimsa, or non-violence, is the first principle of yoga, | | | | Thicknesses vary, but usually they're quite thin - as |
| so it may come as a shock to learn that the tiger | | | | little as 1/8" or 5 mm. The thickest, most luxurious |
| skin was the yoga mat of choice for ancient yogis. | | | | feeling mats can be more than twice as thick without |
| It's a little more reassuring when you discover that | | | | feeling too spongy. |
| the skins they used were those of tigers who died | | | | When you're shopping for a yoga mat, there are |
| naturally, but nonetheless, the use of a tiger skin as a | | | | some key factors to look for. A mat that springs |
| yoga mat is probably not advisable for today's | | | | back quickly when pinched is likely to serve you well. |
| Western yogi! | | | | If your finger leaves a depression, it's a sure sign |
| Aside from having deep roots in Hindu mythology, | | | | that your back will, too and that the mat will be next |
| tiger skin yoga mats had all of the properties yogis | | | | to useless in actual practice. If it's passed your first |
| needed in a mat. They were large enough for | | | | test, then try unfurling it. Does it curl up badly and |
| practical usage yet easily transportable when rolled | | | | refuse to stick to the floor or can you get it to lie |
| up. When the yogi wanted to use his tiger skin for | | | | flat easily? While the sales staff may not approve of |
| the practice of hatha yoga, it naturally unrolled flat | | | | your doing a full yoga workout on the shop floor |
| without curling up on the ends. The fur provided | | | | before you make your purchase, you can at least |
| insulation and just enough padding for protection | | | | give the mat a good push with your hands to see |
| without being spongy and the leathery skin side of | | | | how well it sticks to the floor. If you end up on your |
| the tiger skin mat provided a perfect non-slip surface. | | | | face when the mat slips across the floor, try another |
| The yogi could get into and maintain even the most | | | | brand! |
| difficult yoga postures (asanas) without fear of his | | | | Just about anything you see in a store will be |
| mat slipping out from under him. | | | | available online at sites like Amazon for a better price, |
| All of these are ideal properties to look for in a yoga | | | | and often have free shipping. The extensive reviews |
| mat. When yoga first gained popularity in the West in | | | | also give you the advantage of learning from the |
| the sixties, Western hatha yogis had to improvise. | | | | experience of others who have bought the product. |
| Mexican cotton rugs and even carpet underlays were | | | | Read them carefully. |
| used with various levels of success and failure. A | | | | Finally, spare a thought for the environment. Many |
| growing market and Western ingenuity addressed all | | | | yoga mats are also environmentally friendly or neutral. |
| of the shortcomings of those early mats and today | | | | It may cost a little more, but a PVC-free yoga mat is |
| there is a large range of mats available, all of which | | | | as practical as any and is in tune with the principles of |
| work wonderfully. | | | | ahimsa. Take the time to choose your yoga mat |
| Generally, yoga mats are a little less than 6 feet (1.8 | | | | carefully and you may find that it becomes as special |
| m) long and about 2 feet (60 cm) wide - just long | | | | to you as the tiger skin mats that were handed |
| enough for the average person and just wide enough | | | | down from guru to disciple in ancient India were to |
| to provide protection when doing seated poses. | | | | them. |