The fitting no-slip yoga mat retains the physique grounded and aligned whereas offering much-needed cushioning for joints and muscle groups. Nonetheless, most mats are constituted of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or coated with protecting seals to maintain them from sticking collectively throughout manufacturing and provides them long-term sturdiness, each of which may make the floor slippery in the course of the first few makes use of. Others are designed with a closed-cell floor—nice for preserving moisture and particles out, however tougher for traction throughout a sweaty class.
Add in heated apply rooms and residual physique oils and lotions, and even the best high quality mat can initially really feel slick and unstable.
Many yogis swear by a brand new viral development—salt-scrubbing—to provide their mats added grip and stickiness.
“Salt is an effective way to interrupt that preliminary barrier of the ‘new mat feeling,’ and I like to recommend doing it no less than twice inside the first month of working towards in your new mat,” says Atlanta-based yoga teacher Freya Locklair, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP.
“I like to recommend doing it no less than twice inside the first month of working towards in your new mat.”—Freya Locklair, RYT 500
Christian Regester, SVP of product at yoga attire and tools model Manduka, says the model recommends the salt scrub technique to interrupt in its PVC-based PRO and different mats. This is salt scrub a yoga mat:
- Sprinkle coarse sea salt on high of mat
- Depart it to set for twenty-four hours
- Scrub in salt utilizing a washcloth with a small quantity of water
- Wipe the mat clear and grasp it to dry
How does salt-scrubbing a yoga mat work?
“Salt and sweat break down the highest layer of the mat, so the fabric turns into extra porous and higher in a position to soak up sweat and create traction,” says Locklair. “Over time, you will note the distinction within the areas of your mat the place you place your palms and ft, as a result of they’ll have extra of a matte look as a result of the highest layer has worn down.”
She recommends rushing up the breaking-in course of by showering earlier than class to take away residual physique and hair merchandise and utilizing yoga mat sprays and different cleansers sparingly on new mats.
“Cleansing removes the sweat that’s useful in giving your mat that ‘grippy’ feeling, which ends up in a safer and extra secure asana apply,” she explains. “Additionally, some cleaners depart behind a residue that may make mats sticky and unstable.”
As an alternative, she recommends wiping off extra moisture after apply and hanging your mat to air dry indoors, giving time for sweat and salt time to completely soak up and add tackiness to the floor.
Some mat supplies are slippier or require extra salting than others, so she suggests purchasing round for the proper mat to your explicit yoga apply. Locklair prefers an open-cell model mat (just like the B Yoga On a regular basis Mat or Iuga Professional Mat) for decent yoga lessons as a result of they want “little or no breaking in and supply extra traction.” However these kinds of mats do entice particles and moisture, in order that they have to be cleaned and changed extra regularly than closed-cell mats (like Manduka’s Professional and eKO mats.) The latter are also nice for slower-paced mild and restorative lessons, while you’re much less prone to sweat.
And when you do end up sliding round on a brand new mat, each Locklair and Regester each suggest utilizing a efficiency yoga towel to soak up extra moisture and add traction for sweaty palms and ft.
“Nonetheless, a towel does forestall your sweat from seeping into the mat and prevents the pure breakdown of the highest layer,” says Locklair. A great compromise? Beginning class with out a mat towel, after which placing one down when the floor turns into slippery.
Finally, similar to nailing that elusive pose or respiration by way of a tough asana, breaking in your new mat requires time, persistence, and apply.
