“The ecstasy of yoga can’t be contained by a mat,” said Dana Flynn, a director of Laughing Lotus, a yoga studio in New York and San Francisco. Many teachers in her studios encourage yoga students to practice without a mat. But there’s more to it. It seems there’s an underlying feeling that the mat is seen as a status symbol and a way to mark your territory to these particular yoga practitioners. It’s also viewed as unhygienic and bad for the environment.
Who can argue with that? Most mats are made of a synthetic plastic-type product and while more and more “green” mats are being made available, the cost of producing and shipping the mats does have some impact on the environment. And, using studio mats after they’ve been used by other people always seems a little germy, even though any reputable yoga studio will let you know the mats are cleaned between classes.
But have you ever practiced without a mat? It’s a bit strange.
There is a certain comfort level to being on your mat, when in an unfamiliar space. It’s a rectangular area of space that is all yours which is nice in an environment where space is minimal and class attendance is high. The mat is a boundary, a sort of marker, to your neighbor that can be crossed but there is an unspoken understanding it’s by invitation only or sometimes, by accident, if space is tight. So, there is a bit of a territorial feel but I’m not so sure that is a bad thing. I don’t know about you, but there are times when that little bit of mat cushion is welcome, like when I’m in sirsasana (head stand) or any time I’m going for a forearm balance. Then there’s also the big looming question of, “What if you show up with no mat and the floor is dirty?” Yuck.
I can get on board with the “idea” of practicing without a mat, especially when I hear it put like this by Alex Schatzberg of Yoga Vida, a studio in Greenwich Village. “The idea of practicing without a mat is idyllic in that the yoga practice in its essence requires nothing at all except your body.”
Yes, I agree…totally…at home, on my clean floor, by myself, in my own practice.
I have to admit, though, I have discovered through teaching yoga at outdoor yoga events and in regular classes at a park, it’s often easier to trade the mat in for a big blanket or toss it aside completely than it is to try to use it. There’s a sense of freedom that comes from being outside doing yoga and a synthetic mat with some stickiness simply doesn’t fit. Plus, if the ground is even a little bit uneven, the mat tends to bunch up and protrude in odd places.
So, I’m curious. Tell me, what do you think? Would you feel comfortable tossing your mat?
7 Comments
I agree, I love yoga much better of the Mat!
1
October 30, 2010
ya i think they r okay.
2
November 01, 2010
In the gym group exercise room, definitely use a mat. But outside it depends on the surface. On a deck, I use an Indian blanket under my mat. On the sandy beach I use a beach towel. In the grass, no mat:)
3
November 06, 2010
I think that yoga practice without a mat is closer to ancient traditions, to use only your body and nothing more.
4
November 09, 2010
I like using my sheepskin! It gives you padding when you're on your knees or sitting for meditation. Although I must say that having a mat to stop you slipping can be very handy.
5
November 15, 2010
having not done yoga very long, it does give me some comfort and confidence to have my soft blue rectangle always there under me, but i definately see why some do not need one
6
January 03, 2011
Roll on summer,doing yoga in the mud or on an icy cold floor is not the best way to do a practice! I've been hunting for a bulk load of mats for my classes but I don't have much funds, I'd much sooner have natural fibre mats/eco friendly & not containing metal.Can I find any though!I'm sure I'll get what is needed in the end.If we can astral project I'm sure we can do our yoga practices well no matter what material we are standing on.
7
February 28, 2011
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