Kundalini yoga is one of the challenging yoga practices. Maybe because it involves all forms of subtle energies. When practicing this form of yoga you will need physical strength, strong concentration, and good mental balance all at the same time.
When practicing any form of yoga, one of the important items to have is a yoga mat. So the same goes for Kundalini yoga practice. You will need a yoga mat that will provide comfort, balance, and stability for your poses.
finding the right Kundalini yoga mat can be time-consuming and challenging. Therefore, you don’t have to worry anymore. I have researched and come up with some of the best yoga mats for Kundalini yoga practice.
List of the Top-Rated Yoga Mats for Kundalini Yoga Practice
In a HURRY?. Here is a quick preview of my top-rated Kundalini yoga mats.
Kundalini yoga is derived from Sanskrit word Kundal which translates to “coiled energy”. It is a combination of movement, breath, and sound. This form of yoga was first introduced in the late 70s by Yogi Bhajan.
The whole idea of Kundalini yoga is that it is believed that energy is gathered at the base of our spine and through the practice of the Kundalini yoga, we are able to bring that energy up the spine through the seven chakras and out the crown of our head.
The practice of Kundalini I filled with really challenging breath exercises that are companied with asana and meditation. The growth process of Kundalini yoga is a natural unfolding of your own nature.
The main purpose of Kundalini is to increase your self-awareness by unblocking your chakras and keeping your mind silent. This will enable your energy to flow freely.
According to Yogi Bhajan, its like a snake that will need to shed some old skins to be more of who you are.
The ancient teachings of Kundalini yoga were only taught to royalty and nobility for thousands of years secretly until Bhajan brought it to the west in the late 1960s and began teaching it publicly. It’s only in recent years the practice has gained popularity.
Do You Need a Yoga Mat for Kundalini Yoga?
A yoga mat is not an absolute necessity for Kundalini practice. However, most people use one to provide a cushioning for their body and grip for their hands and bare feet. Yoga mats come in different sizes, thicknesses, and colors.
There are various thicknesses of yoga mats available. The most common ones are 4 mm and 6 mm. You can find much thicker and thinner ones depending on your preference.
If you have joint pains, you might want a thicker yoga mat to provide enough comfort for the joints. These mats are also made from various materials such as PVC, natural rubber, cork, foam, etc.
These are some of the best yoga mats for Kundalini yoga practice. You can basically choose the mat with the best padding for you. If you have sensitive knees and ankles, you probably will want to choose a mat with adequate padding to support your joints.
1). Zura Eco-Friendly Combo Yoga Mat
ZURA was founded in 2016, creating high-performance yoga mats and accessories to celebrate your mind, body, and spirit with the tools to take yoga from a practice to a lifestyle.
The Zura yoga mat is made of natural materials that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and it’s ethically produced and designed with mother earth at the top of the priority.
It features an absorbent top layer that comes built-in with the mat, eliminating the need for a yoga mat towel, which can scrunch up and distract you from your flow. It’s made of a vegan microfiber that naturally improves traction as you work up a sweat.
The core is made of all-natural, recycled rubber that grips whatever surface it’s on, letting you flow seamlessly without disruption.
The more you sweat, the better you grip. To give you the best traction, at the beginning of the practice, simply wipe down the surface with a damp cloth or a splash of water.
This yoga mat is travel friendly and it also comes with a carrying strap for easy handling. It has a 71” x 26” dimension with 3.5 thickness.
If you have read some of my articles already, I am sure you might have come across this mat. This is because Manduka yoga mats are some of the best in the market in terms of durability and quality.
Yes, they might be a bit pricey than most yoga mats, but they are worth every penny you invest in them. You can use the Manduka PRO mat for a long time and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
This yoga mat is made of PVC material that is of high quality and durable.
There are a lot of beautiful bright colors and two extra-long sizes to choose from. Each mat is 6 mm thick and the sizes are; 71″ x 26″ and 85″ x 26″. They are long to fit any body type. The thickness is also adequate to provide support for any body part including those with sensitive bodies.
The Manduka yoga mat is also certified by OEKO-TEC to be 100% free of toxins and harmful chemicals.
The surface of the mat is a high-density closed-cell surface. Closed-cell surfaces are able to prevent sweat seeping into the cushioning and bacteria, germs, and other dirt from staying on the surface.
You can easily clean this Manduka yoga mat of any dirt by simply wiping it down with all-purpose mat wash after every practice to keep it clean.
This mat can also be used on almost any floor because of the grip it has with your body and the floor. As you practice more and more, the surface of the mat gets better.
Pros
High quality and durable mat
Closed-cell surface to prevent germs built up and sweat seeping into the cushion
thick mat
Many colors and two extra-long mats to choose from
The Heathyoga mat is made of TPE material which is the combination of natural rubber and plastic. This latest technology is an improvement of the traditional yoga mats. It is free of latex, PVC, or any harmful metals and it’s certified by SGS.
There are three beautiful vibrant colors to select from and one extra-large size; 72″(183cm) x 26″ (65cm). It only weighs about 2,8 Ibs. With a thickness of 6 mm, you have good support for your delicate parts to give you the comfort you need.
It also has a double layer structure that is designed to provide optimal grip and the non-slip texture makes it suitable for many forms of yoga.
The yoga mat also has a body alignment system to help you focus and adjust your hands and feet to the accurate positive and keep your body in the proper alignment. A good aid for those who might just be starting out.
Pros
Body alignment system
Extra-long yoga mat
Free of latex and toxins
Lightweight
Cons
some people with not proportional bodies may find the alignment system distracting if our whole body doesn’t align with it.
The IUGA yoga mat is another TPE yoga mat that is designed to be grippy and non-slip just like the many yoga mats in the market. It has a double-sided non-slip surface so you can do your Kundalini practice.
The natural eco-friendly TPE material used is non-slip and odorless so you don’t have to be worried about odor during your practice.
The grippy surface which is made of a bone pattern on the underside prevents sliding on the floor by providing a solid grip with the surface. You can, therefore, have more vigorous practice with confidence.
The mat is longer than the standard yoga mat. It has a dimension of about 72″x 24″x 6mm. The 6 mm thickness makes it comfortable for your hands and knees to allow you to balance while posing.
It is a durable and lightweight mat that you can take with you anywhere. It only weighs 2 Ibs.
This all-purpose yoga mat is very affordable and can be used for different forms of yoga and exercise. If you are a low budget and need something that can do the job but very low cost. Then the BalanceFrom GoYoga all-purpose yoga mat will do the job.
It has a moisture resistance technology that makes it easy to wash. With a dimension of 68″ long 24″ wide and thickness of 1/4 thick. You have different colors to select from to choose your favorite color.
It’s a high-density foam material that can comfortably cushions your spine, hips, knees, and elbow on hard surface floors while ensuring you maintain your balance.
This yoga mat comes with a 2-year warranty in case of manufacturing faults and other issues that might be company-related, you can always reach out to the company.
As I initially mentioned above, Kundalini yoga was formerly only taught to royalty and men of nobility until recently it became public. There are many reasons why this yoga is beneficial to those who practice it.
Here are some of the benefits of Kundalini practice.
Improve Your Mood
Research has shown that regularly practicing Kundalini yoga increases the production of serotonin- the happy hormone in your brain. You know that feeling you get after an intense yoga session that leaves you sweaty.
Build Strength
Kundalini is a great way to strengthen and tone your muscles. This because with yoga you can hold each posture for an extended period of time. Intense breathing techniques are also incorporated and this can build your core strength.
Enhance Memory and Focus
Another research has shown that Kundalini yoga can impact cognitive functioning positively by my boosting both your concentration and memory.
Lower Your Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
The deep breathing techniques used during Kundalini practice can decrease the risk of hypertension. Taking long, slow breaths calm your autonomic nervous system and reduce stress. This thereby lowers your blood pressure and pulse rate.
Boost Your Metabolism and Digestive System
It improves your suggestion because, through the combination of breath and postures, Kundalini yoga is able to strengthen your core and diaphragm. It can also speed up your metabolism.