HISTORY OF THE
YOGA MAT

the beginning of it all

FROM GRASS TO SOIL

Practitioners during the ancient period in
India practiced yoga in almost anywhere.
From Halfa grass under the trees to even
the hard soil of the earth, they were able
to adapt and perform.

USE OF ANIMAL SKIN

During the late 1800s, yogis opt to use animal
skins as their support for advanced positions
or yoga expressions. Imagine performing the
down dog on a deer or a tiger skin. Don’t
panic yet. Yogis were not killing an animal for
their practice. They had this belief that the
best sources were the recently dead animals.

ANIMAL SKIN & BUDDHISM

The use of deer and tiger skins was said to
be related to Buddhism. Deers can be
stubborn just like our minds usually work
especially during meditation. Deers are also
described to be soft and gentle mammals.
Using deer skins as your support during
yoga can channel your regrowth, humility,
and spirituality. Tigers, on the other hand,
are known for its might, vigor, and
willpower.

FROM SYNTHETICS TO FOAM CARPET PADDING

It was at the end of the ’60s that yoga
spread at the Western world. An English
yogini Angela Farmer that was teaching
in Germany at that time, thought of
incorporating a foam carpet padding as
an option to a yoga mat – the birth of the
first sticky mat. Yay!

STURDIER STICKY MATS

When the 1990s hit, these sticky mats
were transformed into a sturdier and
stronger yoga mat by a founder of a
certain yoga prop company.

STICKY MAT IN DIFFERENT VERSIONS

A lot of versions also emerged during this
period. Unfortunately, most of the materials
used in this period were pretty harmful to
our environment, like the polyvinyl chloride or
PVC. This component is not degradable which
means it will stay in its form in decades.

TOWELS ON YOGA MAT

Later this period, people started using
towels on top of their yoga mats. But
these towels seemed to be another
ineffective alternative because
tendencies were they always go out of
place causing a distraction to
individuals during their practice.

ECO-FRIENDLY

And then came in 2013, a group of
scientists underwent five-year research
to come up with a quality product that
was PVC-free, non-toxic and not harmful
to the environment. This biodegradable
product aims to provide the perfect
amount of durability, softness, and grip,
especially during sweat time.
And the rest is history:)

HISTORY OF THE YOGA MAT

Read more at

retreathub.com