Using Extra Thick Yoga Mats: A Guide

What is Yoga

As mentioned earlier, yoga is considerably one of the most popular physical activities practiced today. Known for its supposedly relaxing moves that calm both the body and mind, yoga slowly became a staple in the health and fitness circle. But what exactly is yoga? 

Yoga originated as an Indian meditation practice that combines various styles of physical postures and breathing techniques with meditation and relaxation. Rooting from its 5000-year-old Indian philosophy, yoga now become a popular form of exercise, and meditation molded into one. While the original yoga principle did not focus on the physical aspect, yoga exercises emphasize posture and poses that help develop control, balance, and flexibility. Some of its most known poses include the tadasana, urdhva hastansana, uttanasana, maulana, and dandasana which is ideally done on a comfortable thick yoga mat

Benefits of Doing Yoga

Considering the popularity of yoga, it is only important to go through some of the most significant benefits of doing yoga on a regular basis. This list includes the physical, psychosocial, and mental benefits that can be achieved through yoga exercises:

• Decrease stress
• Relieve Anxiety
• Help fight depression
• Reduce inflammation
• Improve heart condition and health
• Reduce chronic pain
• Promote better sleep quality
• Improve flexibility, balance, and stability
• Improve breathing
• Relive migraines
• Increase strength
• Promote healthy eating habits and lifestyle
• Improve quality of life

How to Clean Your Extra Thick Yoga Mat

Now that we know the origin as well as benefits of doing yoga, the next thing that you would have to know is how to use, clean, and maintain the quality of your thick yoga mat. Considering that the yoga mat is the primary space where you do your yoga workout, there is no doubt that the mat is riddled with germs, sweat, and odor from your exercise. With that, here is how you can properly clean your yoga mat:

Regular Cleaning

• After every use, make it a habit to spot-clean both sides of the yoga mat by using a yoga mat cleaner or a mix using a couple of drops of mild dishwashing liquid and 2 cups of warm water.

• With your cleaner in hand, spray the thick yoga mat with the solution and wipe the surface with a soft cloth.

• To rinse the mat, simply pat the surface using a damp cloth.

• Remember to lay the mat flat or hang it to dry fully before rolling it back into the yoga bag.

Deep Cleaning

• At times, spot cleaning may not be enough. Thus, it is also important to know how to deep clean your thick yoga mat.

• Once your yoga mat starts to smell or has a stain, it is important to deep clean it immediately.

• For hand-washable yoga mats, use cold water and mild soap in order to get rid of the stain and smell.

• For machine washable mats, simply clean the mat on a cold gentle cycle.

• For yoga mats that cannot be soaked, wipe the surface with a solution made using a mix of one-part white vinegar and three-part water and rinse using a soft, damp cloth.

• To dry your yoga mat properly, remember not to put it in the dryer but simply lay it out to air dry.

Other Tips for Maintaining Your Yoga Mat

Although cleaning your thick yoga mats is a step in the right direction, there are still a few things you can do to extend the life of your mat. Among the things you ought to keep in mind are:

• Avoid putting your yoga mat in direct sunlight to prevent fading and brittleness of the material.

• Steer clear of harsh and potent cleaning solutions.

• Since they may cause the yoga mat's surface to become stained, avoid using skin creams or essential oils before using it.

It is recommended to let the mat completely dry before rolling it up and putting it away.