Do I really need a travel yoga mat?
In my quest to squeeze more yoga into daily life, I picked up the Prana Transformation Travel Mat to, well, hopefully transform my yoga practice. I used to think that traveling with a yoga mat was, well, totally unnecessary – seriously, what did the ancient yogis do? They definitely did not need an ultralight, super absorbent, micro-fiber, slip-free, eco-friendly travel mat to practice yoga. But now my thinking has evolved and I can see the advantage.
A yoga mat represents actual yoga practice. It’s like having a little safety zone, a space all your own that no matter where you are, you can focus on your breath and movement without distraction. If I travel with an actual mat, I am likely to do much more than just a few warrior poses in the woods or a few bridges on the hotel room floor and as a result be much more pleasant to be around!
So on to the actual mat…
The Prana Transformation Travel Mat is made from natural bonded rubber with a lightweight recycled polyester blend upper. The mat weighs about 1.5 pounds and folds up nicely to stash in your suitcase or backpack. The mat is very thin, so don’t expect much cushion, but it is perfect for impromptu yoga sessions in the sand, grass, or on the hotel patio.
The Transformation mat offers fantastic traction when wet, so it’s also great to place over your regular mat during hot yoga class. I’ve been using the travel mat for 6 months now and it still looks new despite being used over desert prickies, rocks, and sand.
The mat does hold onto water, but it dries quickly in the sun. I’ve had no problems with the mat holding stench, but I wash it with water with a few drops of lavender oil in it every so often. Only complaint is that it can bunch up some when you move, so you have to smooth out the mat on occasion.
All in all the Prana Transformation Travel Mat is a great, lightweight, absorbent, yoga mat that lets you take your yoga practice on the road with you. The mat is available in a fun assortment of patterns and colors and would make the perfect gift for your favorite travel-loving yogi.
Where can I find it?
The Details
- Lightweight travel mat made from a recycled polyester blend with a 100% natural rubber base
- Folds up compactly to stash in your suitcase or backpack
- Available in all sorts of fun colors and patterns
- Great traction when wet making it perfect for hot yoga
- 68 x 26 inches and 1.5mm thick
- Weighs 1 lbs, 10oz