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Why is an Indian jute yoga mat used in Yoga Classes?

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It is inevitable that when you talk with someone about yoga that the conversation always goes towards yoga mats. The Indian jute yoga mat is used all over the world. Originally the people who practised yoga never used mats at all they just used the ground beneath them. These days people practising yoga, and mostly the ones in the west, like to have a soft layer between them and the floor they sit on. You do need a good grip if you do your stretches and other positions so you won’t fall off-balance, for this an Indian jute yoga mat is perfect.

It Is a Natural product

Yoga emphasizes a connection between you and the natural world, even if you live, work and take yoga classes indoors. Yoga students are encouraged to eat healthy foods, think helpful thoughts and wear natural fabrics like cotton or silk. There is a strong suspicion of man-made fabrics in many yoga circles, because it is thought that they put out hazardous fumes.

Although no yoga instructor who wants to stay in business can ban any sort of athletic mat from class, cork or an Indian jute yoga mat will be preferred. Jute is cheaper than cork because it is far more abundant. Sometimes jute is also known as “Hessian”. If you have trouble trying to picture jute in your mind, think of a burlap sack (or “gunny sack”, if you are English). Burlap is basically jute, just under another name.

Is there something wrong with Rubber Mats?

Why not bring a far more accessible rubber mat instead of an Indian jute yoga mat to yoga class? It is polite to ask the instructor first. Most of the time, there will not be a problem bringing a small rubber athletic mat to yoga class. Please bring a small one and not one that can roll over other people’s mats. Rubber mats are often sold as tai chi mats.

The problem is that rubber mats are made of latex which is something some people can be very allergic to. Lots of people have to touch the mats with their bare skin in order to perform some of the positions. If you know you have a latex allergy (and you’ll know if you do), please tell your yoga instructor as soon as possible so all latex can be moved as far away from you as possible.

The Cleaning Basic

When you use an Indian jute yoga mat you should be aware of the fact that they do get dirty and absorb your sweat and thus get damp very quickly. You will have to clean them regularly because of the natural fibers they can rot. Your Indian jute yoga mat should have come with cleaning instructions. Washing it by hand is the best thing you can do if your not sure, some will take well to a washing machine but it has to be in the instructions, otherwise wash by hand.