Maintaining a good grip on your yoga mat plays a significant role in efficient yoga practice, especially for beginners. A well-maintained mat ensures you have a safe and effective yoga session. Here are practical tips to help beginners enhance their yoga mat grip and maintenance.
Selecting the right yoga mat
When you begin your yoga journey, start by purchasing a high-quality, non-slip mat for your practice sessions. The texture and thickness of the mat significantly affect your grip. A mat with a strong texture provides a superior grip while the thickness of the mat affects your comfort during stretching and balancing.
Wear the right gear
Your clothing can influence your grip on the yoga mat. If you wear loose or slippery clothes, they might interfere with your grip. Instead, wearing fitting yoga clothes with non-slip fabric can create traction between your body and the yoga mat, enhancing stability and balance.
Never moisturise before yoga
Though moisturizing has numerous benefits to the skin, it’s detrimental to your grip during yoga practice. Moisturisers create a slick layer on your skin that weakens your grip on the yoga mat. As such, you should refrain from applying moisturisers or oils to your hands and feet before a yoga session.
Cleanliness is key
A clean yoga mat retains its stickiness and lasts longer. As you practice, your mat can accumulate dirt from sweat and dust, reducing its grip. Cleaning your mat after each session ensures it’s always on top form for the next workout. You can use a mild dish soap and warm water to clean the mat, or a commercially available yoga mat spray. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and allow your mat to air dry completely before rolling it up.
Break in your yoga mat
New yoga mats tend to be slippery until the factory seal is worn away. Breaking in your mat will increase the grip. There are several ways to accelerate this process: using your mat frequently, rubbing it down with sea salt, or leaving it in a warm, sunny spot can improve overall grip. But remember, it takes time and consistent practice to break in a mat entirely.
Utilize a yoga towel
A yoga towel is a great addition to your gear, offering an extra layer of grip and absorbency. These towels are made of microfibre materials that get grippier as they get wet, perfect for hot yoga sessions or people who tend to sweat a lot during their practice.
Take time to warm up
Your body, and especially your hands and feet, need to warm up before practicing yoga. Warm muscles are more reliable and can maintain a better grip. Engaging in warm-up exercises releases sweat, improving your interaction with the yoga mat by creating natural traction.
Invest in yoga gloves and socks
If you have sweaty hands and feet or are practicing in a hot climate, yoga gloves and socks can be useful. While gloves and socks may seem unnecessary, they could provide unique traction during challenging poses.
Maintain proper hydration
Hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and grip of your body on the yoga mat. Drinking enough water before your yoga session can help regulate body temperature and maintain skin elasticity. However, avoid drinking too much just before a session to avoid bloating and discomfort.
Proper mat storage
Roll your yoga mat with the top side facing outwards. This will help prevent edge curling, which often reduces the mat’s general grip. Keep your mat in a dry and cool place. Avoid exposing it to direct sun for extended periods.
Incorporate these tips into your routine to enhance your yoga mat’s grip and improve your entire yoga practice experience significantly. Remember, maintaining an excellent grip on your yoga mat is a gradual, consistent process. Patience and consistency in implementing these tips will yield desirable results in the long run.
