An Trustworthy Oko Dwelling Yoga Mat Evaluate

A couple of months in the past, I began stepping into yoga as a delicate option to transfer my physique and calm down my thoughts. I’ve been taking lessons at the Y, utilizing their rubber and foam mats. I didn’t wish to purchase my very own till I knew yoga was one thing I’d follow.

However with every class, I’ve grown extra in love with the apply and my lecturers. I can also’t assist however really feel anxious about contracting COVID/the flu/monkeypox from communal mats—although specialists say that’s not a serious concern, particularly when you wipe them down, for the file. Regardless, I figured it was time to get my very own.

Once I first heard about Oko Dwelling yoga mats, I used to be immediately intrigued. Not like your typical rubber yoga mat, they’re made out of eco-friendly, hand-loomed cotton “utilizing the unique mat design yoga was created on,” in response to the positioning. (And so they are available numerous shades and coloration combos which are calming, fairly, and classy.) With costs starting from $168 to $188, they’re not low cost. However for a apply that’s all about intensely tuning into how your physique feels, I questioned what it may be love to do yoga on it, so I attempted one out.

The natural yoga mat I examined comes with a yoga mat bag for simply transporting it to and from the fitness center (reward!), and Oko Dwelling’s “natural cleaning soap nuts” ($24), which work as an natural laundry detergent that may preserve the dyes vibrant and lengthen the lifetime of your mat (you should use them as much as 80 instances!).

Not like rubber mats, this one is rug-like, so it feels extra home-y (as in, you possibly can virtually take a nap on it). However it’s not as plush and cushion-y in the best way a rubber or foam mat often is. When you’re somebody with delicate knees, you’ll seemingly must double it up by folding a number of the cloth over throughout any kneeling lunges, as an example.

Associated Tales

I did not discover the “subtly candy, pure odor that reduces stress” that the positioning talked about and that I used to be trying ahead to.

However one factor I really like: How sturdy it’s. I don’t fear about tearing it whereas in downward canine—sure, I’ve torn a (low cost!) foam yoga mat earlier than, and it was terribly embarrassing. You additionally received’t end up slipping and sliding, irrespective of how sweaty your palms get. This mat has ridges that assist your ft and wrists keep in place all through your circulation, and the grippers on the underside preserve the mat from shifting round.

On that be aware, the mat additionally doesn’t make noise whenever you change positions, like common mats typically do. (As somebody who simply feels awkward, I used to be grateful AF for this.)

Different laundry-list particulars: It’s product of natural cotton, is allergen-free (aside from the latex grippers on the underside), and weighs simply 3.4 kilos, making it straightforward to move. The corporate additionally claims these mats are ethically made and that the grip will get higher as you sweat. So far as cleansing the mat goes, it’s no biggie: Because it’s antibacterial and antifungal, you may get away with washing your mat each three to 5 months, both within the tub or washer.

General, the home-y rug really feel has helped me really feel much less self-conscious throughout class; I really feel like I am in my lounge, not surrounded by 30 different individuals. That form of consolation is simply what I need throughout my circulation.