Nowadays, many people wonder whether I should practice yoga or meditation on a mat or if I can do this without a mat. To answer this simple question, we must understand ancient yoga practices. Our ancient yogis practiced yoga in places like deep jungles or caves completely cut off from society, where they could connect with their inner selves. But if you ever see images, scriptures, or art effects of ancient yogis, you will notice that they were sitting on some animal fur for their practices. Yes, yogis at that time would use animal skin or basic cloth, for which they needed a bit of cushioning. However, there is a deeper scientific reason but why ancient yogis used fur or why we are using mats at this time. Even at the institute, when we have a class, mats are spread around the floor.

Why is a yoga mat necessary?

The reason for this is that when you do asanas or meditation on the floor, your body loses prana, or energy. When you practice these yogic techniques, you should gain more prana, but practicing directly on the floor will have a reverse effect. Body temperature would drop. If we lie down on the floor due to the coolness of the floor, as a result, in order to raise the body’s temperature, our body will be forced to use the conserved sugar and oxygen at a higher rate than usual. As a result, the sugar called glycogen that is stored in the muscles of the body would be used unnecessarily. Also, your lungs would be forced to work harder than usual. Nowadays, the flooring of our houses is made out of ceramic tiles or marble tiles.

Now these are much cooler, and so our body’s energy goes to waste there. If the wooden flooring is there, then it is quite warm. Therefore, lying or sitting on the mat for practice will act as a barrier between you and the floor and prevent unnecessary energy expenditure. It will also provide some insulation if the surface on which you are practicing is cold. There is no specific type of mat you have to use; a simple rug can be beneficial, but these days, with advanced technology, we have much better yoga mats that not only help with insulation but also prevent you from slipping due to their anti-slip properties. They will give you stability and allow you to do different yoga poses with firmness. A yoga mat will also provide you with cushioning so that you feel comfortable throughout your yoga session.

Conclusion

Moreover, direct contact with the cold floor can not only lead to the use of excess energy, but also lead to certain problems like catching a cold, wheezing, asthma, and so on. It gives you muscle and joint pains too. That’s why I would suggest that it is better not to practice asanas or meditation on the bare floor. Instead, always use a rug, carpet, or yoga mat for practice.