Exercise mat for standing and non-standing yoga postures

Abstract

An exercise mat, comprising at least one non-padded portion sufficiently thin to provide excellent support and balance for standing exercises; and at least one padded portion sufficiently thick to provide excellent comfort for non-standing exercises. The non-padded portion has a thickness of no more than about ⅛ inch, and the padded portion has a thickness of no less than about ⅝ inch. The exercise mat preferably comprises a plurality of non-padded portions and a plurality of padded portions. The exercise mat is especially suitable for performance of a wide variety of standing and non-standing yoga postures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise mat, comprising:
 a) at least one non-padded portion being sufficiently thin to provide support and balance for standing exercises; and   b) at least one padded portion being sufficiently thick to provide comfort for non-standing exercises.   
     
     
         2 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said non-padded portion has a thickness of no more than about ⅛ inch. 
     
     
         3 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said non-padded portion has a thickness of ⅛ inch. 
     
     
         4 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said padded portion has a thickness of no less than about ⅝ inch. 
     
     
         5 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said padded portion has a thickness of ⅝ inch. 
     
     
         6 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of said at least one non-padded portion. 
     
     
         7 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of said at least one padded portion. 
     
     
         8 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein a non-padded portion of said mat extends laterally under said padded portion. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein suitable materials for said non-padded portion are selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber, jute, TPE, and bamboo. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise mat in accordance with  claim 1  wherein suitable materials for said padded portion are selected from the group consisting of PVC, foam, rubber, jute, NBR, high density NBR, TPE, and bamboo.