Rubber Yoga Mat

This review is from: Gaiam Tree of Life Yoga Mat
I have had this mat for three months, using 3-4 times a week for a 1 hour class, and it falling apart, coming into pieces all over, and now on my clothes. I have never had this happen with a mat, and I have three other ones I still use that are nearly 5 years old. But this was a gift and I guess I broke it in! And I am only 158lbs and not used in a power yoga class…just a standard Astanga.
This review is from: Gaiam Tree of Life Yoga Mat

Upon purchasing this mat I was very pleased, loving the design and stickiness. I have only been doing yoga for 5 months and my mat is already stretching. I was not sure what to look for in a mat, and should have done some research first. When in down-dog my mat stretches and sort of bunches up in front of my fingers and behind my toes. It has also never flattened completely.
This review is from: Gaiam Tree of Life Yoga Mat
I’ll be honest this is my very first yoga mat but I can’t believe I waited so long to get one. This mat is good and sticky. It really helps me reach my full length in various poses such as downward facing dog and even bending forward in cobbler’s pose etc.

I have noticed a smell of plastic when my nose is pushed up to the mat but no other time. I do not have any sensitivity to chemical smells but I do live in a house with someone who does and he can’t smell a thing. I have only had it a few days; however I expect the smell will eventually be undetectable even up close, much like a new car.

The color is very pretty, a soothing green with a light greenish-yellow tree. The tree is screened on. Some people may feel this is a bad thing as screened on images sometimes begin to peel off. This image appears to be very secure to the surface and I have no such worry.

This review is from: 1/4 Inch Ultra Thick Yoga Mat
I bought this yoga mat about a month ago and have used it over a dozen times already. As soon as I got the mat in the mail I opened it, washed it with soap and water and hung it to dry for two days. This is something my teacher recommended as she says it helps because new mats tend to be less sticky and washing helps break them in faster. The first couple of times I used the mat it was still a little slippery. My hands slid out alot when I was in downward facing dog, but the mat seems to be improving with time. That’s why I am waiting to write this review. I love the mat; it’s breaking in very well. The thickness is really nice especially when doing boat and when rocking on the spine…I don’t feel the floor and therefore no pain. The extra length is also nice…it gives me more room. All in all it’s a great mat, and for the price it’s even better. And I loved the color selection. I went with burgandy and my unique color sticks out in class…helps me find my mat if I leave the room and come back, and it also helps me in the locker room when there are 3 dozen women with mats (mostly pink I might add). Great mat, highly recommended…just give it time to get broken in!

I really enjoy this mat. It was my first yoga mat so I wasn’t sure what to expect. If you’re trying to decide which one to get as your first, you won’t be disappointed with this one! It’s thick, well-made, pretty (I leave mine out in my work out room all the time), and it’s a GOOD size. I’m a plus size woman (for now) and I find it’s plenty big enough. I’m also 5′8” and think the length of it is great. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference (it is on carpet anyway), but it did. Not only does it make a mental difference to have my own little area to do my stretches, but it just makes stretches better for some reason!

This is my first yoga mat and I think it is great. I got the orange color and it is perfect. It is the best price I could find. I did not find it to smell of vinyl unless you put your nose right on it. It also was not slippery. I find the cushioning to be helpful on my hard floor. Next time I think I would spend a big more money to get a wider mat. That would be helpful for when I do things on my sides. I am right at the edge of this mat which is 24″ wide. A few more inches would be better.