Physical Therapy and Exercise Mat

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an exercise mat including a top surface and bottom surface, wherein a plurality of markings exist on the top surface. As used herein, an exercise mat is a substantially flat cushion-like structure which can be used in conjunction with exercises. The exercise mat may be used for exercise or recreational activities such as physical therapy, pilates, yoga, or any other activity where physical placement of the user's body on the exercise mat may be important for the performance of the exercise, evaluation of physical progress, and/or for the avoidance of injuries.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a top surface opposite a back surface; and   a plurality of markings on the top surface of the exercise mat,   wherein the plurality of markings include an outer ellipse, wherein a center of the ellipse is the center of the mat, wherein the outer ellipse includes at least one inner ellipse, wherein each co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the inner ellipse is aligned with the co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the outer ellipse, wherein the distance of the semi-major axis of the inner ellipse is less than the distance of the semi-major axis of the outer ellipse.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of markings include a plurality of inner ellipses, wherein each co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the plurality of inner ellipses are aligned with the co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the outer ellipse, wherein the distance of the semi-major axis of each inner ellipse is less than the distance of the semi-major axis of each consecutive inner ellipse. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein inside the most inner ellipse, the plurality of markings includes a plurality of concentric circles, wherein the concentric circles are equally spaced from each other. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise mat of  claim 3  wherein a most inner concentric circle has a diameter between 7 to 9 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of markings is a different color. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein the area between each of the plurality of markings is a different color. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein the co-vertex of the major axis of the outer ellipse is flush with a top edge and a bottom edge of the exercise mat. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein the co-vertex of the minor axis of the outer ellipse is flush with respective side edges of the exercise mat. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of markings include equally spaced grid markings along an edge of the exercise mat. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise mat of  claim 1  wherein the exercise mat includes an adhesive backing on the back surface to secure the exercise mat to an object. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise mat of  claim 10  wherein the object is a floor. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise mat of  claim 10  wherein the object is a wall. 
     
     
         13 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a top surface opposite a back surface; and   a plurality of markings on the top surface of the exercise mat,   wherein the plurality of markings includes a plurality of concentric shapes,   wherein the concentric shapes are equally spaced from each other, wherein the plurality of concentric shapes includes an outer most shape, wherein the width of the outer most shape is equal with the width of the exercise mat.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise mat of  claim 13  wherein the center of each of the concentric shapes is aligned with the center of the width of the exercise mat. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise mat of  claim 13  wherein the concentric shapes are circles. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise mat of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of markings include an outer ellipse surrounding the concentric circles, wherein a center of the outer ellipse is the center of the mat, wherein the outer ellipse surrounds at least one inner ellipse, wherein each inner ellipse surrounds the concentric circles. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise mat of  claim 16  wherein each co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the inner ellipse is aligned with the co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the outer ellipse, wherein the distance of the semi-major axis of the inner ellipse is less than the distance of the semi-major axis of the outer ellipse. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise mat of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of markings include a plurality of inner ellipses, wherein each co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the plurality of inner ellipses are aligned with the co-vertex of the semi-minor axis of the outer ellipse, wherein the distance of the semi-major axis of each inner ellipse is less than the distance of the semi-major axis of each consecutive inner ellipse. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise mat of  claim 13  wherein each of the plurality of markings is a different color. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise mat of  claim 13  wherein the area between each of the plurality of markings is a different color.