Thursday, February 11, 2016

How To Choose Yoga Meditation Mats (No Matter What Style You Practice)

Whether a beginner or not, having the right yoga meditation mat is essential. Why? Because the right yoga mat allows you to better perform different yoga exercises. But here pops up one important question – How to choose the right one among the many yoga meditation mats available on the market? Well, the answer is pretty simple – understand yoga meditation mats. And in doing that, we are here to help you. Let's go over the different types of yoga mats and materials and see which is the best one. 


Yoga Style


The best and easiest way to determine what type of yoga mat you need is by taking into account the yoga style. This doesn't mean that you can't use the same yoga mat for other yoga styles, but it's just easier to choose a mat that suits your practice and body type.

  • Basic Yoga Classes
    If you are a beginner or simply a person who prefers gentler practice, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a yoga mat. Instead, you need to look for something that is comfortable and stable. However, if you are not sure that yoga is the right type of exercise for you, then you should choose something more affordable. Just keep in mind that the cheapest mats doesn't offer the same stability as other, but still are perfect for beginners.

  • Flow/Vinyasa Classes
    Obviously, this type of style is more advanced and requires constant movement, meaning that it requires a mat with great traction. If your mat is slippery you won't be able to focus on your exercise as you will be constantly readjusting your hands and legs, which is pretty annoying. So, what you can do is to look for non-slippery mat with great dry and wet traction.

  • Restorative Or Yin Classes
    These type of classes are more serene and don't involve active muscle engagement. Why? Because they use the force of gravity to bring about deep releases in your muscles and fascia. These classes require seated postures or even lying on the ground, so for this type of yoga style you will need to choose thicker and comfortable mat that is at least 5 mm thick.

  • Heated Classes
    If you practice one of these yoga styles: Moksha, Bikram, Hot 103, Summits, etc., then you are probably already aware that there is a lot of sweating in these classes. Because of the whole sweating, most people use a towel on top of their yoga mat to absorb the sweat. When it comes to choosing the right yoga mat for this style, consider one with "closed-cell" construction, as this type of mat doesn't absorb too much sweat.
    Instead placing a towel over your mat, you can always treat yourself with the amazing towel/mat that can be machine washed after each and every use. Amazing, right?

Yoga Mat Materials

  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
    PVC is the original and the one most commonly used material for creating yoga mats. Since these types of mats are a hydrocarbon product – plastic that contains phthalates it is carcinogen and contains too many toxins. Obviously, these types of mats are not appropriate and not the safest option for everyday use.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Yoga Cushions Australia: Choosing Without Failure!

Practicing yoga is a wonderful way to release the stress you accumulated during busy days at work. But did you know that sitting for long period of time while meditating can be rigorous for your body and physical condition. You are likely to become uncomfortable and feel the pain in your back, not only when sitting in your office in front of your computer doing the everyday tasks, but also while practicing sitting yoga exercises. Everything depends on your spine's ability to maintain the natural curves and the structure of your joints.
To ease the meditation session of the yoga practitioner the market has gone far beyond our imagination in offering plenty of yoga equipment that each should put in the buying cart. Yoga cushions Australia wide range supplies us with, are divided into three types according to their shape. Colour and size vary due to preferences of the individual.

  If you want the cushion to meet your needs, choose one without failure, and here is how:

  • Zafu and Zen pillows. Zafu is a name for traditional and round pillow, that is filled with organic buckwheat hulls and its high is about 12.7 cm. Many people find this pillow height sufficient for comfortable sitting. Zen cushions, on the other hand, are almost the same height as Zafu ones, except that they have a rectangular shape. If you are a type of person that prefers more support while exercising, then opting for Zen pillow is your best choice. There is an interesting fact about these specific pillows and that is that they are adaptable. If cross-sitting does not work well for you, turn your cushion (your choice) on its side, place it between your thighs and sit with your knees bent.

  • Another cushions Australia market greatly offers are the V-shaped yoga pillows. This type is quite similar to the previous type and is filled with organic buckwheat hulls too, except that they are a matter of personal preference. If you practice sitting meditation daily, V-shaped pillow can work just fine, because it slants downward so that it supports your entire leg and at the same time encourages your pelvis to tilt forward. A lot of people opt for this type as their favourite one, but you will have to check and see if it works the same for you and your meditation needs.

  • At last, Zabuton cushions are a little bit different that Zafu, Zen and V-shaped type. These meditation mat has been used for centuries as an everyday sitting cushion among the Asian nation, especially the Japanese. They are wide with a rectangular shape that measures 50/70 cm on a side, are several centimeters thick (when new) because they are filled with cotton, and they come with a removable cotton cover. Zabuton cushions can be purchased in three sizes, starting from small, medium to large size, and can be used alone or under Zafu or Zan.
    Using this specific kind can work miracles and can create more comfortable surface while you meditate. Having your ankle bones, knees and feet pressing against a hard floor can become painful within time, that is why it is recommendable every yoga practitioner to place one underneath the cushion in order to create some extra padding. Your ankle and knees will be thankful, that is what we guarantee you.