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What is a Manduka Yoga Mat?

When you are just starting out with yoga, you might not want to spend a lot of money on the equipment, just in case this turns out to be a short-lived fad that does not work with your lifestyle. At this point, purchasing basic yoga equipment is fine: budget-friendly but adequate for the purpose, and good enough to give you a good idea of what yoga is like. However, if you become serious about your yoga, training as an instructor, or practising one of the more vigorous or time-consuming forms of yoga, then cheaper products might not stand up to scrutiny quite so well.

What Can Go Wrong?

Thin cheap yoga mats will quickly lose their bounce or tear with the repeated rolling and unrolling as you go to and from class – or even just from use, as your toes grip and hold onto the fabric of the mat. Yoga mats can also absorb a lot of sweat over the weeks, and in time, this can give cheaper yoga mats an unpleasant smell and oily texture, no matter how well you clean them. This is where a Manduka yoga mat comes into its own.

What is Manduka?

Manduka, named for the ‘frog pose’ or mandukasana, is a company that strives to improve the practising experience for yogis, students and beginners all over the world by supplying the very best yoga equipment that can be ethically and environmentally sourced and produced. The company was inaugurated in 1997 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. It produces a world-class standard of yoga mats, work-out and post work-out towels, yoga clothing, and various blocks, blankets and straps that can help newcomers achieve those perfect positions.

What are the Mats Made From?

There are several ranges of Manduka yoga mat, and they are made from a variety of products. The traditional Pro range of mats (the originals) are made from eco-certified PVC, while the Eko range is made from non-Amazonian sourced rubber. They are made with yoga in mind, designed to be comfortable and supportive as well as non-slip and grippy, resistant to sweat and easy to clean and carry when not in use. The company’s ethos is based around reusing and recycling: each of their work-out towels is made from eight recycled plastic bottles.

Why Should I Buy One?

You might be put off by the price tag of a Manduka yoga mat, but you should not be! This is because Manduka offers a life-time guarantee with many of their yoga mats – but few of them ever need to be called upon! The mats are sturdy, and should you manage to wear holes into the surface of the yoga mat, compromising its non-slip integrity, then you can simply get in touch to have a replacement sent out. So, should you buy a Manduka yoga mat? If you are serious about your yoga, practice more than three times a week, or indulge in lengthy, strenuous sessions: then yes, you should! It will save you money in the long run!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels