Original Tapas Yoga Mat
Usa-Made
Durable
Non-Slip Surface
Antimicrobial
Our most popular mat, the Original Taps Mat was the first made-in-the-USA yoga mat providing a durable, non-slip surface. It continues to set the standard and is considered invaluable for the safe practice of yoga postures. 1/8 in. x 24 in. x 68 in. Available in custom lengths. Washable
This review is from: Tapas Original Yoga Mat 1/8\" x 68\"
Yoga mats come in three basic thicknesses. At 1/8" this mat is of average thickness. At 24" x 68" it is also the standard width and length. Mats that are about half a thick as this one are good for travel or placing under a thicker mat to provide more traction. The thick mats (3/16") are about 50% thicker than this one and are designed for those who need or want extra cushion.
There are two sides to this and nearly all yoga mats. Look carefully at the 'bumps' on each side of the mat. The larger bumps are designed to face upwards to cushion your hands, feet, and knees during poses while keeping your body from dangerously slipping out of alignment. The smaller bumps are designed to face downwards to grip the floor and keep the yoga mat from sliding. Many mats have a label on one end with the name of the brand. This is typically, but not always, located on the 'up' side. The bumps will tell you for sure.
This yoga mat will increase in softness and stickiness with use. (So do most mats.) They start out mildly sticky and increase in stickiness the more they are used. You will want to wash your mat when it first arrives so as to remove the thin film they get on their surface during the manufacturing process. Instructions for washing the mat are included. Once you've washed and dried your mat you're ready to begin! After using it for a while, if you find the mat decreasing in stickiness each time you pull it out, this is the typical sign that a light coating of dust or too much body sweat has accumulated on your mat and it needs a light hand washing with very diluted soap and water. After washing, roll your mat in a thick towel to squeeze out the excess water, otherwise it will take forever to dry in the air. Then, air dry your mat unrolled, inside, and away from sunlight. (Hanging over the shower bar works nicely.)
When you first unroll your mat you will find one end to be a bit curled. Simply alternate the direction you roll your mat (top outside once, then bottom outside next) or the end you start from (curled end once, flat end next time) and you'll find it straightening out more or less over time.
I recommend buying your own yoga mat even if your yoga studio or gym provides them for you. I've worked in many studios and gyms over the years. Sometimes management has mats cleaned often, sometimes not. If you bring your own mat you always know where it's been. :o) Plus, owning your own mat may encourage you to begin valuable practice at home.
For my students who have trouble with their knees in some of the poses requiring the body weight to rest on a knee, I recommend temporarily folding over one end of the mat to get double cushion under the knee while still leaving one layer under the rest of the body. This saves you having to haul more than one mat out each time you practice which can be discouraging especially to the beginner....
This review is from: Tapas Original Yoga Mat 1/8\" x 68\"
If you're looking for a great, basic sticky mat, this is the one to get. After a year of use, mine still has that nice peeling sound when I unroll it before class. Plenty of grip as long as you stay dry. I wouldn't recommend this mat for a hot yoga class, but then, if you're taking one, you probably already know how slick sticky mats get when a bit of sweat and just the right angular momentum are applied.
All in all, a solid first yoga mat.
Enjoy, and remember to breathe....
This review is from: Tapas Original Yoga Mat 1/8\" x 68\"
I love the extra length of this mat, and it is a sturdy well made mat. I've washed it a number of times and have been using it regularly for the past 2 months but still have some serious slippage issues when my hands or feet get a little sweaty. The parts of my body that are not sweaty stick to the mat just fine (almost to a fault - so when I'm moving into my upward facing dog from chaturanga the mat sticks to the tops of my feet and slides up with me as I try to push my chest through, or in dragging my foot through for pigeon, I end up with a bunched up mat underneath me.) I think it would be my first choice mat if I didn't have issues with sweaty slippage and sticking too much when not needed. Just don't expect to take it right out of the box and be perfect for use. I'm sure as this mat gets older it will actually get better....
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