Okay, so I’ve been seeing these “Ayurvedic yoga mats” popping up everywhere, and I was like, “What the heck is that?” I’m all about trying new things for my yoga practice, so I decided to dive in and see what the fuss was about.
My Ayurvedic Yoga Mat Journey
First, I did a little digging online. Turns out, it’s not just some fancy marketing term. Ayurvedic yoga mats are supposed to be infused with herbs and natural materials that are based on, well, Ayurvedic principles. You know, those ancient Indian things about balancing your body and mind.
I found a mat that claimed to be made with natural rubber and infused with things like turmeric and neem. Sounded pretty cool, and honestly, a little weird, but I was game.
When the mat arrived, I unboxed it. My first thought was, “Wow, this smells…different.” It wasn’t a bad smell, just very earthy and herbal. Definitely not like my old, regular yoga mat.
Then to test out the mat, I did my usual yoga routine that I do everyday. Here’s how that went:
- First few poses: Honestly, I didn’t feel a huge difference at first. It felt like a good quality mat, nice and grippy, which I appreciated.
- Midway through: I started to notice the smell a bit more. It was kind of relaxing, actually. It felt like I was practicing outdoors, in a forest or something.
- Savasana (the final resting pose): This is where I felt the biggest difference. I felt super grounded and calm. Maybe it was the herbs, maybe it was just the placebo effect, but I felt really good.
I kept using the mat for a couple of weeks. I can’t say it magically transformed my life or anything. But I did notice I felt a little more centered and calm during my practice. Plus, I love that it’s made with natural materials. It feels good to support something eco-friendly.
So, would I recommend an Ayurvedic yoga mat? If you’re curious, I say go for it! It might add a little something extra to your practice, and it’s definitely a conversation starter. At the very least, you’ll have a nice, natural yoga mat. And honestly, that is what I get.
