A sticky yoga mat is a sticky yoga mat, right? Not necessarily. It turns out that some sticky yoga mats are stickier than others. Whats more, the stickiest aren't always the ones that are best for your health or your practice. So what makes a sticky yoga mat sticky? The answer is actually pretty simple. Yoga mats are made from a variety of different materials. The most common ones are made from eco-friendly materials like natural tree rubber and organic cotton. These materials are naturally sticky, and tend to attract particles of dirt and dead skin cells as you practice. The stickier the mat gets, the easier it is to attract dirt and particles. Which can make your practice feel less clean.
People in most parts of the world may think of yoga mats as a way to protect your knees from a hard floor. Or as a way to prevent slipping during a downward dog. But a few weeks ago, a video was posted on social media of a yoga class in China. The clip shows the teacher asking students to place their sticky mats on a glass table. Students then proceed to place their hands and feet on the table, causing the glass to shatter. So, are yoga mats supposed to be sticky and why would someone do such a thing?
While most yoga mats are made from non-stick, non-slip materials. Some yoga mats are actually sticky when you step on them, especially when you are practicing hot yoga. Many people may like this stickiness, finding it easier to balance or grip. But, this stickiness is not always a desired feature. Especially for those who practice yoga at home where they are more likely to slip and fall. This stickiness may be due to the properties of the material from which the yoga mat is made. Or it may be due to the oils and sweat of the person using the mat.
If your yoga mat is sticky, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. The trick is to recognize what's causing the stickiness, and then apply the right solution. The first thing you should do is to wipe off your yoga mat with a towel. If your mat isn't wet or sweaty, a light spritz of water can work well too. If you notice that your mat smells like sweat, you can bathe it in a 5% bleach solution. After you've washed your yoga mat, make sure to let it dry completely before you use it again. If you use a towel to wipe it off, make sure there's no sweat or moisture left on the mat at all.
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