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Does The Yoga Mat You Use Really Matter?

January 13, 2015 By Monica Stone 7 Comments

It most certainly does!

Over the weekend, I left my Manduka mat at one of the studios I teach at. It’s about 30 minutes away from where I live, and I’m only in that area once a week to teach yoga, so it would have been completely out of the way for me to go and grab it. 

I have two other mats I can use, so I thought why not.

Practice is about non attachment anyways, right?

I grabbed one of my older mats, and started practicing. I knew that my hands would start to slip in Downward Facing Dog, but I had no idea of the pain I would feel in some of other postures!

Upward Facing Dog was the most irritating since it is an integral part of the transitions between postures. Usually, I can just move from Chaturanga to upward dog, then over to downward dog.

This hurt my feet so bad that I had to stop in plank, and flip each foot at time to avoid pain and my toes becoming raw. 

The next issue was Janu Shirsasana B. This isn’t the most comfortable posture to begin with, but I do it pretty easily these days.

Janu B

 

Not on my thin dinky mat!

It hurt my foot so bad to sit on it that I just did three breaths and moved on. 

I had a realization that when people complain about this posture in my classes it’s most likely because they have a thin mat that has a very short life span. In fact, it’s probably worn down pretty far which might make it worse. 

Headstand. That was a treat (kidding)! Headstand is a posture where ironically, you don’t want to press into your head. You want to have all of the weight in the shoulders and hands. It’s actually important to never go up into headstand unless you are strong enough to slightly lift your head off the ground. Otherwise, you could be compressing your neck. Regardless, the mat was so hard on my arms, and I could feel the solid floor underneath my head. Yikes!

headstand

When someone asks me, “What’s the best yoga mat?” I always answer with the Manduka Pro. There is no question or hesitation. Usually, I try to have a few different recommendations because it’s a little pricey, but because I am certain this is worth the investment, and it has a lifetime guarantee, I don’t need a backup. I actually don’t even recommend that certain mats are better for different styles of yoga, the Manduka is best for everything! 

Now I have yet another reason to tell you to ditch the dinky mat and go with the Manduka!

Check out their site because they do have less expensive mats, and if you want to opt for something more in your price range, you MUST go with Manduka!

Lots of Love & OM,

Monica

Filed Under: Instruction

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

« Schedule In Your Yoga Practice Will Keep Your Life Organized ( Plus Three More Steps)
Tratak: Meditate by staring into a candle flame. »

Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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