Manduka 71-Inch PurpleLite Travel Yoga Mat

Features

Light 4-1/2 pounds for easy transport to yoga studio or retreat
Non-stick, grip prevents slippage due to perspiration
Provides stability on hard or soft surfaces
Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows from hard floors
Superior wear and longevity

Description

The PurpleLite Travel Yoga Mat from Manduka is designed for high performance, but in a lightweight version that's great for taking on the road. It travels as easily to a nearby yoga class as it does to a yoga vacation retreat. Like all of our mats, the Manduka PurpleLite Travel Yoga Mat is designed for performance, longevity, and comfort. Its surface resists slipping when wet from perspiration, its firmness resists bunching and remains flat even when practicing on carpet or with sticky feet. Unlike most other mats, the Manduka PurpleLite Travel Yoga Mat has a specific top and bottom surface. These mats have been designed to last a lifetime (or two). The 71-inch PurpleLite Travel Mat is 24-inches wide by 71-inches long by 3/16-inch thick and weighs approximately 4pounds.

Durable, lightweight, same texture as Manduka black mat

This Manduka yoga mat is lightweight enough to carry back and forth to the studio, or pack for a retreat. Definitely better for using back and forth to class than the black mat would be. I favor this one because it is much easier to transport and store and I do not notice any loss of comfort from the slight difference in thickness (3/16" instead of 1/4"). if you are taller or heavier than average, do very vigorous yoga workouts, or have particularly sensitive joints, you might prefer the manduka black yoga mat, particularly as it comes in an extra long style. but I found this mat at least as stable (perhaps more so), and more versatile, just the thing for a secure and comfortable support for yoga. another option in using this mat is to lay a cotton yoga rug on top of it. the cotton absorbs sweat and can be washed easily, so your mat will last even longer and you get a more natural feel against the skin during practice. cotton rugs are the traditional support for yoga, particularly ashtanga, and this mat and rug combination is often recommended by fine teachers as the best way to get the best of both worlds.

It is a tremendous step up from the garden variety $20 mat. You may not need to shell out the extra $20 unless you have really sensitive joints/bones. With that in mind, I think this mat would suit most people's needs. When practice on a hardwood floor using this Manduka yoga mat and was completely comfortable. This Manduka yoga mat is very effective for more sweat inducing forms of yoga. However, it is not fool proof. A person could still slip if he or she sweats profusely.


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Manduka eQua Towel

Description

Manduka eQua Towel is the "next generation" in eco-conscious, multi-purpose towels. Extremely lightweight, yet durable and super-absorbent, the eQua micro-fiber towel outperforms ordinary cotton or polyester towels - on the mat, at the gym, on a mountain, or on the road. For yoga, eQua is the ideal "rug" to keep you and your mat hygienic and slip-free. Quick drying in minutes, use it as a warm-down shawl after practice. For working out, eQua provides the perfect moisture-wicking wipe for the excessively sweaty. And for the space-challenged traveler, the compact eQua, in its re-useable mesh bag, is an ideal road companion. The large towel lies over your yoga mat to add traction to sweaty palms and feet, while the small towel is great for the face and hands. Like all Manduka high performance products, the Manduka eQua is designed and tested by people who live life full and expect the most from it. Manduka eQua a towel for life.

Features

Eco-conscious towel for working out
High-quality microfiber material is lightweight and super-absorbent
Provides ideal hygienic and slip-free surface for yoga practice
Acts as ideal moisture-wicking wipe for sweaty exercises
3 sizes; XL, L and S available

Amazon.com Product Description
The next generation in eco-conscious, multipurpose towels, Manduka's eQua towel is ideal for practicing yoga or working out at the gym. The towel is extremely lightweight, durable, and super-absorbent, helping it outperform ordinary cotton or polyester towels. For yoga, eQua is the ideal "rug" to keep you and your mat hygienic and slip-free. Plus, it dries quickly in minutes, so you can use it as a warm-down shawl after practice. For working out, eQua provides the perfect moisture-wicking wipe for the excessively sweaty. And for the space-challenged traveler, the eQua and its re-usable mesh bag is an ideal road companion. Soft and natural to the touch (with no PVC nubs), the high-quality microfiber towel is even resilient enough to survive countless washings.


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Manduka 85-Inch Yoga Mat

Features

Superior wear and longevity
Non-stick, grip prevents slippage due to perspiration
Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows from hard floors
Measures 26 inches wide by 85 inches long by 1/4-inch thick

Recommend for anyone who is 5'10" up

With the extra-long yoga mat, none of these issues is a problem. The Manduka yoga mat is solid and dense, and stays put on the floor no matter what I do. It cushions really well, but because it is so dense it is no problem to balance or move on the mat. The extra length allows me to move with confidence, knowing I won't run out of room or slip off the mat. An additional benefit of the Manduka 85-Inch Yoga Mat is that it allows you to change your starting position on the mat somewhat, so that the small area worn by your feet is not the same every practice. In other words, you can spread the wear over a larger area to make it last even longer. The surface is plenty sticky for normal yoga, and if you do a hot yoga class or sweat a lot you will likely want to have a towel anyway. No complaints about stickiness.

As for weight, it seems that if you are big enough to need an extra-long yoga mat you are probably plenty strong enough to carry it around.

Now let me make a case for why this mat is actually a good value:

"I have only been practicing yoga for a year (three 1-hour classes a week), and in that time I have purchased two mats for $30 each. One I've already worn out (material broke down from use) and the second one is on its way to wearing out. If I buy a third $30 mat I am now up to $90 in just over a year. The Manduka yoga mat will last a lifetime and will make your practices better. And at $85, it's cheaper than any single club in my golf bag (and I carry 14 of those). So my opinion is: suck it up and spend the money. It only hurts for a minute and you'll forget all about it the first time you step onto this mat!"

Manduka Yoga Mats

Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat

Description

The Mat from Manduka is an innovative yoga mat, designed for performance, longevity, and comfort. Its surface resists slipping when wet from perspiration, its firmness resists bunching and remains flat even when practicing on carpet or with sticky feet. The Manduka Yoga Mat is exceptional for cushioning your spine, hip bones, knees and elbows from punishing hard floors and its durability is superior to any mat currently available. Unlike most other mats, the Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat has a specific top and bottom surface. These mats have been designed to last a lifetime (or two). The Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat is 26-inches wide by 71-inches long by 1/4-inch thick and weighs approximately 7 pounds.

Features

Superior wear and longevity
Non-stick, grip prevents slippage due to perspiration
Provides stability on hard or soft surfaces
Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows from hard floors
6.5 pounds; 71 inches long; 26 inches wide

Worth Yoga Mat; Nice Grips, Perfect Cushions!

Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mats come in three basic thicknesses. At 1/4" this one tops even the thickest sticky mats. Roughly the thickness of two average mats together, this one will help cushion all those bony parts and not bunch up the way two mats together always seem to do. Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat is not only thicker, it's denser to boot. It's cushion without mushiness.

This one is the kind you buy, find a place for, and leave it there. Also note that the roll this yoga mat makes is huge, something to consider if between practice storage space is an issue. The "thick" mats at 3/16" will still provide extra cushion without the hassle but if you've tried them and they're still not enough, this might be the way to go. Mats that are about one third as thick as this one (1/16") are good for travel or placing under a thicker mat to provide more traction. The average mats are about 1/8". Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat is also two inches wider than the average mat.

There are two sides to this and nearly all yoga mats. Look carefully at the bumps on each side of the mat. On most mats, the larger bumps are designed to face upwards to cushion your hands, feet, and knees during poses while keeping your body from dangerously slipping out of alignment. The smaller bumps are designed to face downwards to grip the floor and keep the yoga mat from sliding. With this mat it's slightly different. Manduka yoga mats have a unique dotted bottom surface that holds the mat in place during your practice. It looks unlike any other mat you've ever seen. This mat also has a brand label on one end.

You will need to wash this mat once before using it the first time to remove the coating. Instructions for this are included with the mat. Manduka yoga mat will increase in stickiness with use. They start out mildly sticky and increase in stickiness the more they are used. If you find yours decreasing in stickiness each time you pull it out, this is the typical sign that a light coating of dust or too much body sweat has accumulated on your mat and it needs a light hand washing with very diluted soap and water. After washing, dry your mat unrolled, inside, and away from sunlight. (Hanging over the shower bar works nicely.)

When you first unroll your mat you will find one end to be a bit curled. Simply alternate the direction you roll your mat (top outside once, then bottom outside next) or the end you start from (curled end once, flat end next time) and you'll find it straightening out more or less over time.

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How Yoga Mat Important

The most important item for your yoga pose is a yoga mat. To add to the life of the mat, a way to protect a mat is to always put it in a safe place like a yoga bag.

First of all, the reason why yoga mat is such an essential item to your exercise is because it will keep you stabilized your yoga poses. Good yoga mats will fit to the floor perfectly with out any wrinkles on the front face of the mat. It will be able to help you to smoothly slide your lower body, stabilize your arms, or comfortably maintain a Standing Pose without slippage.

Secondly, take into consideration that the thickness of the mat might help you. Are you concerned about a chronicle physical pain or a knee pain? A thick mat should give you enough cushion to better protect any recent or recurring pain. However, before starting anything, it is always best to consult with your yoga teacher who can give you better guidance.

To lengthen the life of a yoga mat, it is best to keep it secured and clean by always storing it in a yoga mat bag and to wipe it down every now and then. During your practice, you will surely pick up filth and hairs from the practicing room. A simple way to clean your mat is to use a recycled rag with a mild soap to rinse your regularly used mat.

Yoga Equipment ; Basic to Start

Yoga Equipment, Tools, and Props may not be required when practicing Yoga but they have always been useful aids to practitioners. It is essential to feel relaxed and comfortable when doing the poses.

The most commonly used and most easily recognized piece of yoga equipment is a yoga mat. Of course, there are many other types of equipment that exist, including blocks, bolsters, straps, grips, inversion slings, and more.

Yoga has been called one of the fastest growing sports. However, it is non-competitive and each individual player works at his or her personal level.

Basic yoga equipment comprises of equipment like mats, blankets and eye bags. Then the second type of yoga equipment that includes supportive tools like belts, blocks and bolsters.

Your Yoga Mat can either be a large thick towel or rug, or a special yoga mat that is designed by different companies and sold in sports shops. The majority of yoga mats that are used are made from cotton or polyester latex. There are more expensive mats and less expensive ones, so you have to search around for the quality and type you want to invest in.
Foam Block: Foam blocks are used for beginners to extend their reach. Foam blocks should be dense enough to support your full weight.

Yoga Belt: Made of cotton or nylon, these wide belts help support and align your back and also to extend your grasp. They really aid in the stretching of your muscles especially the hamstrings

Blocks: Like blankets, blocks are props to make yourself more comfortable and improve your alignment. Blocks are great for standing poses in which your hand doesn’t reach the floor.

Straps: Straps are particularly useful for bound poses if your hands do not reach each other, and for poses where you need to hold onto your feet but cannot reach them.

Another piece of yoga equipment you may want to consider is a book or DVD for beginning yoga students to walk you through the different exercises. Even if you are taking a yoga class, it can be nice to have a reference at home in case you have questions or aren't clear on how to assume a particular posture.

Serious yogis may want to invest in the following yoga equipment:

* An inversion sling is a specialized piece of yoga equipment that helps to relieve back pain by facilitating low back muscle stretching and providing additional spinal traction. Slings can also be used to stretch shoulder, chest, and groin muscles.
* Yoga ropes are wall-mounted devices that help you develop strength and flexibility. They assist in the practice of backbends or forward bends, make it easier to stretch your shoulder muscles, and help to create spinal traction.