I recently tried a new yoga mat from a very popular brand that shall go un-named. To catch you up, I have had the same Manduka mat since 2011, but because I am a huge fan of YogiToe's towels that go over the mat, my mat has not disintegrated over the years. At least thats my theory, or maybe it's a deeper, underlying, attachment issue. Regardless, I tried a new one because it was gifted to me and because why not!? I was not pleased. I'm not sure if it was because it needed to be worn in or rubbed down, but it was TOO sticky. I barely had to use any internal support, also know as Bandha's, The mat gave a insane false sense of support which I can see why students might like, but only because they are unaware of what it should feel like. The mat also prevented ease with jumping back to Chaturranga, which now I might see why no one likes to try it!
I believe there are pros and cons for sure, and a slippery mat is awful too, but there is such thing as too much stick. Bikram gets a bad wrap for the carpeted floors, but they are there for a reason. Rather then relying on the stick of the mat or a hard floor, by stepping out onto the carpet for some poses, students are forced to use our own internal strength.
In the Ashtanga practice, students use a Mysore Rug to absorb sweat, but it's texture is still allowing you to use your own strength. I read a detailed analogy from the Ekaminhale Blog, comparing sticky mats to chairs, and it's definitely something to think about.
"My favourite comparison to illustrate this is the sticky mat and chairs. Because in the West almost no one sits on the ground a lot of us have lost the physical ability to do a flat footed squat. The technology of a chair supports our bodies and then we lose the ability to get into that shape. They haven’t spent their lives using chair technology so the body hasn’t lost the ability to go into the shape.The sticky mat is the same thing. That “extra grip” is like the chair. It’s technology that is supporting your body and removing some of the work necessary to support yourself. Work that in my experience is essential to a strong and healthy practice. Not everybody is going to be able to do a full squat right away. If you have been using chair support for 30 years you can’t expect to get into a full squat overnight. The body doesn’t work like that. It takes time to adapt.Slowly when our bodies are faced with a little more challenge they gain strength. This is known as the S.A.I.D. Principle. Specific Adaptations To Increased Demands.It took me 3 years to get to the point where now I always have my rug down right from the start. Still on some days but very rarely I use the spray bottle to wet it if I notice I don’t have the strength.So for some people that extra grip of a sticky mat is necessary in the beginning if the challenge of a less grippy surface is too much. No problem. One day at a time. "
If we take a moment and think back to Yoga's origins, there were no towels, sticky mats, yoga socks or anything for that matter. Sticky mats are considered a prop, and while props are OK to start with they aren't something we want to rely on.
Dear Yoga Brand's everywhere this consumer is disappointed but also thankful I took the opportunity to try a new mat. I'm not saying go toss out your $80 yoga mat, but maybe find a YogiToes towel or Mysore Rug to put on top. We come to the mat so often, lets make sure we're getting the most from our practice. Love you, LP.
