What a Yoga Towel and Why Does It Matter.
At the beginning of my yoga practice, I never thought that a mere yoga towel can transform my practice. I believed it was initially an additional piece of equipment. However, after falling over several times on an oily mat, I have known that it is a must-have. A yoga towel is a custom designed absorbent towel that is used to cover up the yoga mat so as to enhance grip and absorption of sweat as well as to keep the area clean. It is light, convenient to carry, and it is ideal in doing hot yoga, vinyasa, or any other activity where sweat is your greatest annoyance.
The further I practiced the more I noticed that my yoga towel would help me hold the poses longer, concentrate, and even block the sweat thinning the mat. It is not merely a matter of cleanliness, it is a matter of performance. In a more recent study by the yoga alliance more than 62 percent of the practitioners indicated that they would use towels during their practices as it helped them to be less slippery and feel more confident in their advanced practices. I can totally relate to that!
The Reason a Yoga Towel is Necessary in Any Practice.
You have probably found it difficult to avoid slipping things down in a hot yoga session when you were trying to hold a downward dog. A yoga towel is also absorbing, and therefore it does not have the embarrassing slips as it soaks up the sweat. I can recall an instance when I forgot my towel during one lesson and I spent the first half of the lesson readjusting my mat rather than doing what I was supposed to do which is to focus on my breathing. Never again!
The reason why having a yoga towel is a necessity is as follows:
Better grip: It improves grip in the form of sweat therefore providing stability.
Greater hygiene: It keeps you off the mat shielding you against bacteria and germs.
Extended mat life: It stops the sweat and oils which damage your mat with time.
Compact and convenient to clean: You can add it to the washing machine after every session.
The reviews of fitness equipment published by the Men health have found out yoga towels to be among the highly recommended accessories in home workouts since they make even aged mats to appear new once again.
Types of Yoga Towels.
Proceeding to a shopping spree to purchase one, I was not aware of the fact that there were several types of yoga towels to choose. It is not only the color and style, but other fabrics and textures are meant to accomplish special purpose. The following is what I picked up on the way:
Microfiber Yoga Towels
They are the most popular kinds as they are lightweight, highly absorbent and dry fast. Microfiber towels stick to the skin more as you sweat and are ideal to use when in the hot yogurt classes.
Cotton Yoga Towels
Cotton towels are soft and environmentally friendly in case you find it more natural. They would be good in easy or asana yoga, and may not stick so well in rainy weather.
Silicone-Backed Yoga Towels
There are towels with small nubs of silicone or rubber attached to the bottom to hold them. These would be perfect when you move a lot when practising or when you are using smoother mats.
Full-Length vs. Hand Towels
A full towel is used to cover the whole mat, and the smaller hand towels are very useful during the wiping of the sweat in the classroom. Personally, I prefer the combination of both one full towel to keep at the mat and a smaller towel to do quick fixes.
In the comparisons of brands, I tried various brands such as Manduka, Gaiam, and Lululemon. They all possessed their own characteristics though I noticed that the Manduka eQua towel was the best combination of grip, softness and fast dry technology.
The proper use of a Yoga Towel.
A yoga towel is not effective as long as you do not use it correctly. The early few occasions I carried mine to school it kept on bulging. However, I did a few tricks after talking to my instructor and trying.
Prepare it before the lesson: Spread it on your mat so that it is lying flat and even.
Spritz it a bit: When your towel is dry and your hands are not sweaty but, spray a bit of water in the top to get the grip going.
Stick it: There are other yogis who prefer to stuff the ends of the mat within the mat to make it not to slip away.
Wash it frequently: Wash it after each session in cold water and dry it in air to ensure the absorbency of the item.
Even in a small study done in a local yoga studio in Los Angeles, the people who practiced on yoga towels and did a two-week trial showed that the rate of slips was reduced by 45 percent, and there was a remarkable increase in concentration. I experienced the same difference–no further distractions, only flow.
The Yoga Towel has several advantages.
A yoga towel is not only a clean towel. Here is the way of how it can really increase your practice and make your body and mind collaborate with each other:
Enhances Stability
Mats become slippery due to sweat and that is a formula to loss of balance. Towels dry hands quickly providing a steady footing. Personally, it has simplified balancing by posing like Warrior III and Crow Pose.
Reduces Odor and Bacteria
Mats are likely to hold wettishness, oils, and bacteria, particularly in case you train frequently. A towel barrier will lessen interactions with germs. Besides, washing a towel is more convenient than cleaning your mat daily.
Improves Focus
I was able to remain longer in the moment without thinking about falling or wiping my sweat. My breaths were more profound, my moves were more fluid and I was finally in the groove.
Green and Economical.
Towels in good quality increase the life span of your mat. You do not have to change your mats very often (you just keep your towel clean) which saves money and prevents waste.
Great for Travel
Yoga towels are very small and can be folded in small bags. It is my daily traveler, and I can have a clean and comfortable surface anywhere even when I am going to the studio.
The selection of the Yoga Towel.
The selection of the ideal yoga towel will rely on the mode of practice, body type, and the comfort-level of preference. I questioned myself some questions when I was seeking mine:
Which is my preferred form of yoga?
Hot yoga requires a microfiber towel that has high absorption.
Soft towels made of cotton can be used in gentle yoga.
Do I need extra grip?
Find dots made of silicone or rubber backing in case your mat is slick.
What’s my mat size?
Measure your mat and take a towel that is of equal length and width to cover it.