Fold and roll portable yoga mat

Abstract

A yoga mat comprising at least one folding depression which enables folding and rolling of a yoga mat so that the width of the mat is typically less than the shoulder width of the user of the yoga mat. The at least one folding depression is typically on the upper, user-contacting surface of the yoga mat. In instances where the overall thickness of the yoga mat is greater than about 0.35 inches, it is advisable to use a location matching folding depression on each side of the yoga mat. The folding depression may be deeper on the user-contacting surface than on the floor contacting surface of the yoga mat. In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface of the yoga mat may be a solid layer, with at least two underlying spaced lower sections to permit folding inward upon the solid layer.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A fold-able yoga mat having an upper surface upon which a user of the yoga mat stands and a lower surface which is placed in contact with a floor or other supporting surface when said yoga mat is in use, the invention comprising:
 a) said yoga mat having at least one permanent depression upon said upper surface, wherein said depression assists in folding of said yoga mat, so that said upper surface is present on the interior of said folded yoga mat, and said lower surface is present on the exterior of said folded yoga mat, wherein said depression forms a circle or oval shaped hollow tubular area internal to said folded yoga mat, where said hollow tubular area travels in the longest dimension of said folded yoga mat.   
     
     
         2 . A fold-able yoga mat in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said folded yoga mat width ranges from about 10 inches to about 16 inches, whereby said mat may be rolled to fit into a small space. 
     
     
         3 . A fold-able yoga mat having a single upper surface upon which a user of the yoga mat stands and a lower surface comprising at least two sections, wherein a space exists between each of said at least two sections, and wherein the number of spaced sections present enables the folding said yoga mat so that said single upper surface is internal to said folded yoga mat and said lower surface sections are external to said folded yoga mat, wherein a fold at each space between at least two sections travels in the longest dimension of said folded yoga mat. 
     
     
         4 . A fold-able yoga mat in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein a width of said folded yoga mat, which width is perpendicular to the length of said folded yoga mat, ranges from about 10 inches to about 16 inches.