Exercise alignment mat system

Abstract

An exercise alignment mat system for providing reference to an individual performing an exercise such as yoga. The inventive device includes a mat having a first center line, a second center line orthogonal to the first center line, a plurality of first lines parallel to the first center line, and a plurality of second lines parallel to the second center line. The mat is a flat structure which may include a resilient and cushioned material. A plurality of markers may be positioned at the intersection of the lines for increased visual references. The student is able to have a visual reference regarding the respective position of their feet, hands and body during an exercise. In an alternative embodiment, the mat includes a first extended portion and a second extended portion on opposite sides of the mat.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise alignment mat system, comprising: 
 a mat comprised of a flat structure having an upper surface and a longitudinal axis;    a first center line positioned upon said upper surface of said mat;    a second center line positioned upon said upper surface of said mat parallel to said longitudinal axis and orthogonal with respect to said first center line, wherein said second center line intersects said first center line;    a plurality of first lines parallel to said first center line;    a plurality of second lines parallel to said second center line; 
 wherein said first center line, said second center line, said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines provide a plurality of rectangles upon said mat, wherein said plurality of rectangles are separated into a plurality of non-overlapping sets of four quadrants defining a unit area with half of said plurality sets of four quadrants on each opposing side of said second center line wherein each set of said four quadrants has a center point; and  
   a single marker upon selected intersections of said plurality of second lines with said first center line and at each said center point of each set of said four quadrants.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 1 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are thicker than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 1 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are darker than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 1 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are a different color than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 1 , wherein said markers are circular shaped.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 1 , wherein said markers are square shaped.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise alignment mat system, comprising: 
 a mat comprised of a flat structure having an upper surface, a lower surface and a longitudinal axis;    said mat further including a first extended portion extending orthogonal with respect to said longitudinal axis, and a second extended portion extending opposite of said first extended portion and orthogonal with respect to said longitudinal axis;    a first center line positioned upon said upper surface of said mat;    a second center line positioned upon said upper surface of said mat parallel to said longitudinal axis and orthogonal with respect to said first center line, wherein said second center line intersects said first center line;    a plurality of first lines parallel to said first center line;    a plurality of second lines parallel to said second center line; 
 wherein said first center line, said second center line, said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines provide a plurality of rectangles upon said mat, wherein said plurality of rectangles are separated into a plurality of non-overlapping sets of four quadrants defining a unit area with half of said plurality sets of four quadrants on each opposing side of said second center line wherein each set of said four quadrants has a center point; and  
   a single marker upon selected intersections of said plurality of second lines with said first center line and at each said center point of each set of said four quadrants.    
     
     
         8 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 7 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are thicker than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 7 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are darker than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 7 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are a different color than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 7 , wherein said markers are circular shaped.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 7 , wherein said markers are square shaped.  
     
     
         13 . An exercise alignment mat system, comprising: 
 a mat comprised of a flat structure having an upper surface, a lower surface and a longitudinal axis;    a first center line positioned upon said upper surface of said mat;    a second center line positioned upon said upper surface of said mat parallel to said longitudinal axis and orthogonal with respect to said first center line, wherein said second center line intersects said first center line;    a plurality of first lines parallel to said first center line;    a plurality of second lines parallel to said second center line; 
 wherein said first center line, said second center line, said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines provide a plurality of rectangles upon said mat, wherein said plurality of rectangles are separated into a plurality of sets of four quadrants defining a unit area on opposing sides of said second center line with each set of said four quadrants has a center point; and  
   a single marker upon selected intersections of said plurality of second lines with said first center line and at each said center point of each set of said four quadrants.    
     
     
         14 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 13 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are thicker than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 13 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are darker than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 13 , wherein said first center line and said second center line are a different color than said plurality of first lines and said plurality of second lines.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 13 , wherein said markers are circular shaped.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise alignment mat system of  claim 13 , wherein said markers are square shaped.