How to increase your Zen and never again slide in Downward Facing Dog

Last Sunday, I taught a Zoom yoga class away from my home studio on a borrowed yoga mat. The mat was nice looking but oh-so-slippery compared to my own mat. There I was, in Downward Facing Dog, sliding instead of grounding.

That got me thinking: you might be frustrated with yoga because you lack the right equipment. That frustration might keep you from regularly practicing yoga, which would be a shame. You would be missing out on the fantastic benefits of yoga.

Top three benefits of yoga:

• Enhances Flexibility and Strength: Our bodies naturally lose flexibility and muscle strength as we age. Yoga, with its range of postures and poses, can help counteract these changes. Regular practice can improve overall body strength, maintain joint health, and increase flexibility, assisting with mobility and reducing the risk of injury.
• Promotes Stress Management: Our lives are full of stressors, including career pressures, family responsibilities, and health concerns. Yoga's emphasis on mindful movement and deep breathing can help manage stress levels, improve mood, and enhance overall mental well-being.
• Supports Cardiovascular Health: Heart health becomes increasingly important as we age. Yoga, particularly styles that increase heart rates like Vinyasa or Ashtanga can help improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, and maintaining a healthy weight. Even gentler forms of yoga can contribute to heart health through stress reduction and improved breathing techniques.

Another benefit of yoga is that it requires little equipment: a mat and an optional set of yoga blocks. So let's not skimp on the quality of our yoga mats.

We're all juggling a million things and budgets matter, but skimping on your yoga mat might be holding back your Zen. The proper yoga mat keeps you from sliding and gives you just the right cushioning.

Of course, if you're on vacation or don't have access to a yoga mat for other reasons, a carpeted area or even a bath towel can fill in. But if you have a regular yoga practice, investing in a high-quality yoga mat can make a big difference.

It's like Neil Gershenfeld, a physicist and professor at MIT, said:

“Give ordinary people the right tools, and they will design and build the most extraordinary things.”

Now, we're not building rocket ships here. But our bodies are doing extraordinary work on those mats, wouldn't you agree?

Let me share with you the top three mats favored by yoga teachers. These three mats consistently earn the most votes in Facebook groups for yoga teachers. They are what most of my fellow yoga teachers and I use. These mats might cost a bit more, but believe me; they're worth every penny!

Top 3 yoga mats favored by yoga teachers:

• Manduka Pro: An all-around yogi favorite. Good grip; 1/4" thickness (the thickest of the three mats); multiple lengths (71" or 85"); and lifetime guarantee. Costs $138. Negative: it's a heavy mat (7.5–9.5 pounds depending on the length you choose), so not great for carrying on a commute.

• Jade Harmony: The environmental choice (and my personal favorite). Excellent grip; 3/16" thickness; multiple lengths (68 ", 71", or 74"); weighs about 5 pounds; made in the USA out of natural rubber, and the company plants a tree for every mat sold. Well-priced at $92-99. Negative: the rubber smells quite a bit initially; it should not be exposed to UV light, therefore not great for outdoor yoga or storing it in your car.

• Liforme: Favorite among hot yoga practitioners. It claims to be the "grippiest yoga mat on the market"; has markings for proper alignment; 5/32" thickness (the thinnest of the three mats); 73" long; weighs 5.5 pounds. Negative: you might find the alignment markings distracting; they cost $140.

Yes, these mats are pricier than your low-end yoga mat, typically made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam. But consider the benefits:

• better grip
• better alignment
• better practice
• (and better for the environment than PVC mats)

Can you put a price on your peace of mind (and non-slip downward dogs)?

You might also want to invest in a special towel if you sweat a lot during yoga. My favorite one is the Yogitoes yoga mat towel. It's a grippy towel you place on top of your yoga mat. It works great for catching sweat drops and keeping your yoga mat clean and grippy. You could also put it on top of your existing slippery mat to make it less slippery without investing in a new one.

Next time you step on your yoga mat to relieve stress, do it with the confidence that you're equipped with the right tools. Because, as we've learned, extraordinary things happen when ordinary people like you and I get their hands on the right gear!

So, stay cheerful, stay resilient, and say 'No More' to those sliding woes!

Best, Christine

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