It’s fair to say that a standard yoga mat is a little bit bulky if you’re planning to go backpacking or heading abroad for a holiday. The perfect solution is a travel yoga mat, and while they may not offer the same protection against the floor, they
do create a perfect workspace so that you can keep up your yoga practice, no matter where in the world you find yourself.
Travelling Can Be Hard on the Body
Yoga is a great way to counteract the strain the body takes when travelling. Whether you are flying going by train or sitting on a bus, we know that being sedentary is not good for the body. You can get really stiff, and it’s important to get your muscles moving. Sightseeing can also take its toll, especially if you are spending longer walking than you would normally. Finally, you also need to factor in dietary changes as everything tends to be a little bit off balance in a new country. Keeping up with your yoga practice, even when you are travelling, is very good for ensuring the body remind supple and free from aches and pains.
Why Bother with Travel Yoga Mats?
Of course, the question often arises, why bother with a yoga travel mat? Surely you can just manage with a blanket, or if you are lucky enough with your destination, do yoga in the sand and meditate to the sound of the waves hitting the shore. The thing about yoga mats is that they offer an element of grip; even the thinner and more portable travel yoga mats provide a safe space to exercise. They may not offer as much protection between you and a hard surface, but they do still serve a very important purpose. Travel yoga mats have been specifically designed to combine the best elements of portability with the very best sticky and grippy surfaces that make yoga a lot more pleasurable. Seeing your travel yoga mat also acts as a little bit of a push to remind you just how important your yoga practice is. Being on holiday can be incredibly distracting; there’s so much going on and lots to see and do, so often, yoga practice can slip. However, as we’ve already mentioned, travelling and sightseeing can really cause the body to object. Ensuring that you keep your yoga practice regular and on target can seriously relieve any potential aches and pains you may otherwise suffer.
Choosing the Perfect Travel Yoga Mat
There are a few different elements you should consider before settling on the perfect travel yoga mat. You should consider your travel arrangements, whether you are just going to one location and staying or are going to be constantly packing and on the move.
Travel Yoga Mat Weight
Luggage restrictions can make travelling expensive, so if you want to ensure that your yoga mat does not cause a weight problem. The lightest travel yoga mats tend to be around 2 pounds; some weigh even less. You need to also weigh up the pros and cons because the lightest yoga mats will be the thinnest, and some people are happy to put up with a little extra weight to have more comfort between them and the ground.
Travel Yoga Mat Foldability
Foldability is just such a good word, but equally, it’s a very important factor when it comes to selecting the best travel yoga mat. Most studio-style yoga mats roll upper transport, and for some people, this might actually work because they can be stored underneath a large backpack using straps to secure them along the bottom. However, if this isn’t going to be an option, you want to check how well of the mat folds so that you can determine how best it’s going to fit into your luggage.
Travel Yoga Mat Stickiness
The next thing to take into consideration is the grit offered by your travel yoga mat. You will also see yoga blankets for sale, and these aren’t the same. Yes, they may solve the bulk problem and offer a small packing solution, but they are not designed to be used as yoga mats and therefore do not have the same amount of grip. The good news is that there is plenty of choices, and you will be able to find a good travel yoga mat that works for you.
Travel Yoga Mat Eco Rating
Carbon footprint and being environmentally friendly are very key topics at the moment. Yoga follows a philosophy of a Hamza, which is defined as practising a lifestyle of non-harm. So for many yogis, it’s very important that the yoga mat and other props are all sustainable and Do Not damage the environment. This means looking for something made from an environmentally friendly material.
Here are a couple of our best sellers to get you started.
Jade’s lightest mat in standard & Long length.
Great for travel or for those who like closer contact with the ground. Available in a variety of colours.
Through its partnership with Trees for the Future, JadeYoga plants a tree for every yoga mat you buy.
Jade mats contain no PVCs, heavy metals or ozone depleting substances. All components are approved by FDA for use in rubber in continuous content with food.
The velvet microfibre surface becomes grippy under sweat and moisture, while the natural sustainable rubber base grips to the floor – no more bunching up! At 1.5kg, it is lightweight and folds into a small square (the same size as a jumper!), so say goodbye to those packing woes!
Non toxic water based inks and dyes created vivid fashion forward designs and limited edition prints which the base is crafted from bio degradable rubber.
Brand New and Revolutionary Top Surface Coat offers unparalleled Grip. Yoga Studio’s Grip Travel Yoga Mat has an innovative moisture-absorbing design made to increase the grip with increased moisture. The mat features double-sided technology. The top side of the mat, the “sticky” side, is made of an Eco-polyurethane (PU) material which absorbs moisture (hence the grip).
The bottom side is made from clean, natural and responsibly sourced rubber, which provides more cushion and unparalleled grip on the floor.