Barefoot Yoga Jaisalmer rug (2nd row left) spotted in a Jois Yoga class.

Posted under Mysore Practice Rugs, Styles of Yoga

Jois Yoga Shala’s grand opening photos show many

Barefoot Yoga Mysore Practice Rugs in use in all their glory.

Posted under Mysore Practice Rugs, Yoga Studios, Yoga Supplies

Goa Practice Rug

Sold out for several months and back in stock are our popular and versatile Mysore Practice Rugs . Traditionally used for Mysore style Astanga yoga practice in India, and also excellent for any athletic or sweat-producing yoga practice like Bikram or Vinyasa flow, these decorative and tightly woven cotton rugs have been around for centuries and are considered to be the first mats ever used for yoga practice in India. Mysore rugs are one of the more eco-friendly yoga mats available as they are completely biodegradable and PVC free.

The rugs rest nicely over any Yoga Mat and most floor surfaces, adding extra cushion for sitting postures and better traction and stability for standing postures. They’re also great for outdoor practice without a mat, so grab your Practice Rug and go outside to enjoy a beautiful day!

Posted under Mysore Practice Rugs, Yoga Supplies

We recently came across a great posting on the Consumer Reports Health Blog about choosing eco-friendly mats for your yoga practice. The article may be from 2008, but it’s certainly still relevant and worth sharing!

The posting makes a good point about how eco-friendliness can range from mat to mat, as can the price, due to the cost of materials used. Some mats are certainly more eco-friendly than others, though all are considered better for the environment and your body than mats made from PVC.

At Barefoot Yoga Co., we strive to offer a wide array of possibilities, from the extremely environmentally friendly “Original Eco Yoga Mat” to mats made from TPE and PER. We also offer other alternatives, such as our Mysore Practice Rugs.

We encourage our customers to buy “green” whenever possible and to find a yoga mat that works for your practice. Feel free to contact us at info@barefootyoga.com or by calling 877-227-3366. We are happy to answer any questions about our products.

Namaste!

Posted under Eco-Friendly Yoga Products, Mysore Practice Rugs, Yoga Supplies

It’s not always easy finding the right yoga mat for your particular body and practice; everyone is truly unique! However, one thing we highly recommend is having patience with your new mat, before giving it the boot.

Nearly all mats on the market today, including the eco-friendly yoga mats, have a breaking in period. This period can vary, depending on the mat, usage, exposure to certain elements (think sun or salty, ocean air), and extra steps the owner can take to speed up the process. New mats nearly always have a factory layer on them that needs to be wiped off, prior to usage. The factory layer is there so that when the mat is unrolled for the first time, it doesn’t pull itself apart. The layer can be easily wiped off with a wet towel.

Here are a few other options for removing the factory layer and speeding up the breaking process:

1. Wipe the mat down with a heavily diluted vinegar/water mix or biodegradable soap/water mix. This will help remove the factory layer, as well as eliminate common mat odor. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly, as to not create a new slippery residue on the surface.
2. Salt Scrub – wipe your mat down with a mixture of salt and warm water, using a cotton cloth. Then rub again with just warm water to remove any excess salt.
3. Leave the mat unrolled in a very warm room for a few days to help the surface become stickier.
4. Use your mat! Working the material via your practice and wiping it down after each use will help break in the mat.

Normally, mats will get better and better the more you use them. If you’re having trouble finding a new mat that provides enough stickiness, even after the breaking in period, you may want to consider an alternative. We suggest using a Mysore Practice Rug or Skidless Yoga Towel, both of which can be used in conjunction with a mat. Another option would be the Yoga Grips, which are also great for traveling.

Please always feel free to contact us via email or phone for yoga mat advice.

Namaste!

Posted under Mysore Practice Rugs, Yoga Supplies