Solace Yoga Mat
Monday, March 8th, 2010 at
7:39 am
- The latest in high tech mats
- Especially good for hot yoga
- Dimensions 74″ x 29″ so it is large enought to cover a mat!
- Like a practice rug only better with more texture for yoga
- Now in three colors
Product Description
The Solace Mat features a richly woven texture that aids in traction and absorbing perspiration. This is like a woven fabric rug, yet thickly textured. It is not made of plastic like most mats but is a different mat altogether. Maintains its color, beauty and non-skid backing after numerous machine washings. Dimensions are 73″ by 29″.
Filed under: Yoga
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I am disappointed with this yoga mat, I do not recommend it. It is slippery and hard to use. After storing it for months, I now use it as a rug.
Rating: 2 / 6
This yoga mat is nice if you are looking for a larger than average size mat. You don’t have to worry about your head or feet handing over the edge. The padding in nice for a little extra cushion on your knees.
Rating: 4 / 6
If you is looking for a mat that provides absolute grip for your hands and feet, this is not the mat for you as it is NOT a sticky mat. However, if you are looking for a mat that will help you transition from a sticky mat to a mysore cotton mat, this mat is perfect.
I needed a mat that would grip the floor but not my feet when doing vinyasa yoga! I also wanted the ‘relative’ instability of a non-sticky mat to maximize core work as well as upper/lower body strength (as opposed to having a mat which gripped my feet and hands, minimizing strength building). I tried the mysore cotton mat but realized I did not yet have the needed strength (core, upper, and lower body) needed to use such a mat without losing my balance! This mat meets my needs perfectly!
One side grips the floor so I don’t have to keep the mat in place with my feet. (When I used it on carpeting, it did not slip as some ‘sticky’ mats will.) With this feature, I don’t have to worry about the mat slipping and causing me to lose my balance. Yet the other side is soft but bumpy cotton which does not grip my feet. Instead, I have to use my core and body strength to maintain balance.
I have two in my exercise room (which has a concrete floor). I use them on top of a bamboo mat for extra cushioning without compromising my need to build strength. The bamboo sticks to the floor while the solace mat mostly sticks to the bamboo but has some instability. When doing floor work (eg yin yoga), I simply double-up the 2 mats to make 1 for more cushioning. I have a 3rd which I use on hardwood floors.
Since my focus is not HOT YOGA, I do not know how it would work for that style. My focus is strength! I move slowly (but steadily)through sun salutations and hold standing asanas as this increases LM. I want my feet to move with ease..not stick to the mat. However, my exercise room is in my garage where the temperature can be in the 90′s and the humidity can be in the 70′s on some days! In spite of two fans, I will sweat profusely on those occasions. While my former sticky mat would get too wet to use, the solace mat would absorb the perspiration easily.
In the beginning, I found it difficult to make the adjustment from the sticky mat (which minimized my use of core strength)to this mat. In fact, for the first few weeks, I slipped until I learned how to use my core, feet, and legs to hold standing asanas. When I finally learned how to do so, my arches ached until I built up adequate strength in them. Now I don’t notice my feet..except to use their stength to hold the asana! If you are not ready to focus on using your own core strength to do standing asanas, do not get this mat. However, if you are ready, the ‘solace’ mat is perfect.
I have now been using this mat for 4 months…on a daily basis. I have washed it (in the washing machine … in cold water on the delicate cycle) and air-dried it. It came out like new except for being a little more ‘nubby’ from being air-dried. I loved it more this way as my toes have more to grip.
Some have complained about the price. However, for a mat that is easily transported, absorbs moisture, and can be washed in the washing machine, it is a real bargain! ((I folded it into 4 sections, packed it in my suitcase, and used in on our Cruise to Alaska.)
Rating: 5 / 6
The mat is soft and comfortable, but is completely impossible to use for Vinyasa or flow yoga when you aren’t sweaty. Your feet simply do not stick to the soft mat, making downward dog and other basic postures very difficult. I have not yet tried it for hot yoga, but suspect it will only work once I’m soaked with sweat. I think the mat will work well for meditation though, since it’s so soft and comfortable. I went with a jute mat instead.
Rating: 2 / 6