The Best Yoga Mats from Yogi Essentials for Ashtanga Yoga: PU Rubber, Cork and Jute
Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous, dynamic style of yoga that combines a set sequence of postures with controlled breathing. This intense form of yoga is very demanding on your body, as strength, flexibility, and endurance are essential. During an Ashtanga practice, it is important to have a yoga mat that not only provides grip, but also enough support and durability to handle the intensity of the postures. At Yogi Essentials, we have a selection of high-quality yoga mats that are perfectly suited to the demands of Ashtanga Yoga. In this blog, we discuss the benefits of PU rubber, cork, and jute yoga mats and how they can enhance your Ashtanga practice.
What is Ashtanga Yoga and why is a good yoga mat important?
Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic and physical style of yoga that involves performing a set sequence of postures in a fluid flow. This practice requires strength, stamina, and discipline, which means you’ll need a yoga mat that provides traction to prevent slipping and supports your body. Because Ashtanga Yoga is also a repetitive and physically demanding practice, it’s important that your mat is durable and can withstand heavy use.
At Yogi Essentials we offer three types of yoga mats that are ideal for Ashtanga Yoga: PU rubber, cork and jute. Each material offers unique benefits that help support your practice and help you perform the poses correctly.
Benefits of PU Rubber, Cork and Jute Yoga Mats for Ashtanga Yoga
1. PU Rubber Yoga Mats: Super Grip and Professional Quality
PU (Polyurethane) rubber yoga mats are known for their excellent grip, even during intense and sweaty sessions. These mats offer maximum stability, which is essential for the challenging postures and flowing transitions of Ashtanga Yoga.
Benefits of PU Rubber Yoga Mats:
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Excellent grip, even in wet conditions: PU rubber mats provide exceptional grip, even when your hands or feet get wet from sweat. This is perfect for Ashtanga Yoga, where you are constantly moving and produce a lot of sweat during practice.
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Firm Support: PU rubber mats provide firm support and cushioning for your joints, giving you comfort during intense poses such as warrior and balance poses.
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Durable and wear-resistant: These mats are resistant to wear and tear, even with daily intensive use. They retain their shape and performance, which is important for a consistent practice.
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Professional Quality: PU rubber mats are often used by experienced yogis and in yoga studios because of their longevity and superior grip.
2. Cork Yoga Mats: Natural, Antibacterial and Grip-Enhancing
Cork is one of the most eco-friendly materials for yoga mats and offers excellent grip, especially during sweaty yoga sessions. Cork mats become grippier as they get damp, making them perfect for an intense Ashtanga Yoga practice.
Benefits of Cork Yoga Mats:
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More grip in wet conditions: Cork offers a unique property where the material becomes grippier as it gets damper. This means you’ll have more grip during intense, sweaty Ashtanga sessions, keeping you stable during poses like downward dog or planks.
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Antibacterial: Cork has natural antibacterial properties, which helps keep your mat clean and fresh, even after heavy use.
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Environmentally friendly: Cork is a renewable, biodegradable material, making you a conscious choice for both your own health and the environment.
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Firm Cushioning: Cork mats offer a good balance between firmness and cushioning, protecting your joints during intense poses without sacrificing stability.
3. Jute Yoga Mats: Natural, Breathable and Eco-Friendly
Jute is a natural, breathable material that pairs perfectly with yoga mats for yogis looking for a sustainable, eco-friendly option with plenty of grip. Jute offers a rugged texture and breathability, ideal for Ashtanga Yoga.
Benefits of Jute Yoga Mats:
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Eco-friendly and sustainable: Jute is a natural material that is both strong and biodegradable, making it an ideal choice for yogis who value sustainability.
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Breathable and natural: Jute mats have a breathable texture, so you don't get the feeling that you are lying on a synthetic surface. This provides extra comfort, especially during intense sessions where you sweat a lot.
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Good grip and stability: Although jute offers slightly less grip than PU rubber or cork, it still has good anti-slip properties, keeping you stable in dynamic Ashtanga poses.
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Rugged Texture: The rough texture of jute provides a natural, organic experience that enriches your practice and provides a firm foundation while performing challenging poses.
Which Mat Is Right For You?
Choosing the right yoga mat for Ashtanga Yoga depends on your personal preferences and the specific needs of your practice. Here are some considerations to help you make the right choice:
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Grip and stability: If you prefer maximum grip, especially during sweaty sessions, a PU rubber mat is the best choice due to its superior anti-slip properties. Cork offers a natural, grippy option as you sweat more, while jute offers good, stable support with a natural texture.
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Natural Materials: For yogis who value sustainability and natural materials, cork and jute mats are excellent choices. Both offer eco-friendly alternatives with excellent grip and comfort.
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Durability: PU rubber mats are extremely durable and designed to last, even with heavy daily use. Jute and cork also offer long-lasting durability, but have the added benefit of being natural and biodegradable.
Conclusion
The right yoga mat can make all the difference in your Ashtanga Yoga practice. At Yogi Essentials, we offer a selection of PU rubber, cork and jute yoga mats that are perfectly suited to the intensity and power of Ashtanga Yoga. PU rubber offers unparalleled grip and durability, cork provides natural traction and antibacterial benefits, and jute offers a breathable, natural texture for added comfort.
No matter which mat you choose, at Yogi Essentials you will find the perfect yoga mat to support and enhance your Ashtanga practice. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced yogi, our mats will help you move through your yoga sessions with confidence, stability and comfort.
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