A Thank You Note to My Yoga Mat

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As yogis we depend on our mats for every single aspect of our practice. The yoga mat is what supports us during each of our poses, but our mat’s job doesn’t end there. Our yoga mat is always ready to catch us when we fall out of a balancing pose. It’s there for us when we need to take a child’s pose, always inviting and accepting. Your yoga mat doesn’t judge, doesn’t criticize, and always welcomes you with open arms. If you are like me, you’ve experienced separation anxiety from your mat when you are not on it. If you think about it, our mats truly are our best friends: they stay with us through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

For all of these reasons, I humbly offer this thank-you note to my yoga mat, in honor of all the awesome yoga mats out there. ☺

Dear Yoga Mat,

I still remember the day I unrolled you for the first time. I was so excited because you’re my favorite color, and you had the ‘new’ mat smell. I felt like the cool kid in class bringing my new mat and proudly unrolling you next to all the other mats. To this day, I remember stepping onto you for the first time, and letting go of everything. In that moment, I knew we were a perfect match.

After all this time, the comfort you bring me is one that nothing else in my day compares to. You are always there when I need to be calmed down, and I appreciate you for that the most. I’m sorry for all those times I’ve rolled you up too quickly without giving you a proper clean – my shower was calling my name, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have my heart – you do!

Next, let’s get to the real mush. Yoga Mat, thank you for being there to catch me when I fall out of dancer pose, or on those days where I don’t have the strength to hold myself up in wheel. We’ve had so many wonderful times together. Remember when I did a headstand for the first time and didn’t fall over? I like to think my courage was because I had you supporting me, whether I toppled over or not. You have been incredibly supportive throughout my time as a yogi, and I hope you stay with me forever, because I can’t imagine what it would be like to stand on anyone but you.

Every time I unroll you, you seem to say, “If you fall, I’ll be there.” You even catch my tears when I have an emotional practice and I need to let out a good cry.  We’re such good friends, I even buy you gifts. Remember when I bought you that yoga mat bag for Christmas to keep you dry from the rain and snow?

You’re really quite perfect, Yoga Mat! You never complain about all the sweat that pours out of me, or the times when I spring into chaturanga too hard. Mat, you are as much a fundamental part of my yoga practice, and I am grateful that we have a bond that only yogis and their yoga mats can understand.

Fearless and yours,

Your Favorite Yogi

Next time you are getting onto your yoga mat, remember to show it some love and gratitude! A good way to preserve the lifespan of your mat is to clean it at the end of every practice – hygiene is as important to mats as it is to us yogis!

Have any special yoga mat stories you’d like to share? Want to leave a little love note to your favorite yoga mat? Please do so in the comments below!