Features of the POSA NonSlip Travel mat series
The POSA NonSlip Travel series of compact, super-grippy professional mats for yoga and fitness are great for any type of practice, whether it's dry or sweaty, including Bikram and hot yoga sessions. Dialing in the polyurethane coating's physical and mechanical parameters allowed us to create a mat with high durability, a surface that's pleasant to the touch, and a superior grip. This outstanding grip is available at the beginning of practice, reaches its peak when your palms have warmed up a little bit, and holds strong even when you start sweating heavily. The solid connection with the surface is made possible by the special polyurethane layer. The mat's rubber base makes it long-lasting while keeping the thickness to a minimum. POSA NonSlip Travel mats will offer a comfortable entrypoint to the world of yoga for beginners, and will allow more advanced yogis to move to a higher level of mastery. This mat is appropriate for practicing yoga, fitness, and gymnastics. Professionals will appreciate the opportunity to really feel the ground beneath them while practicing on such a thin polyurethane mat.
Surface features
The tactile polyurethane surface resembles a dolphin's skin; it's often called "polyurethane leather" (PU-leather). It features a high level of adhesion to all types of materials under a wide spectrum of temperatures and moisture levels. The mat's polyurethane coating holds millions of microscopic pores that instantly absorb moisture when you touch the surface. Even if you sweat heavily, a film of water will not appear on the surface and your palms and soles will stay solidly planted.
What type of yoga is it made for?
POSA NonSlip travel mats are appropriate for any type of yoga, including active practices like ashtanga and vinyasa flow. They are indispensable for the hottest types of practice such as Bikram and hot yoga. For meditation and pranayama on a cold floor, we recommend you fold this kind of mat to create 3-4 layers, or use a thicker mat from the Align or NonSlip Pro series.
In what situations do we not recommend this type of mat?
Excessive grip from the surface can hinder certain dances and gymnastic routines. In some cases Ashtanga practitioners prefer mats with a fabric surface for easier vinyasa execution. For those with sensitive joints, we recommend using these mats as a topper with a thicker mat underneath.
Easy to carry around
Not only can you roll up 2 mm thick mats, but you can also fold them up like a towel. In that format they'll fit in a bag or backback. You can use these mats on their own or place them on top of a thicker one, such as a shared community mat. This lets you use your personal mat during group sessions while not needing to carry a bulky yoga bag as well.
Mat size for POSA NonSlip Travel is 183x61 cm
This size was chosen based on the average size of an adult of European descent (177 cm for men and 169 cm for women). It provides the ideal amount of comfort during workouts while allowing us to keep the mat's weight to a minimum.
Mat weight is 1200 grams
This is a lightweight mat that's easy to take to the yoga studio. The low weight makes it comfortable for teenagers and seniors to use.
Reinforcing layer
The reinforcing layer inside the mat makes it safe to execute asanas that require you to spread your feet wide. It also extends the useful life of the mat by preventing rips. Mats without reinforcing webbing are not appropriate for yoga.
POSA NonSlip Travel mats are antimicrobial
The surface is made of synthetic materials, which make it very difficult for mold, fungus, and other microorganisms to survive and spread. Between the surface and the rubber base lies a special layer that prevents sweat from penetrating the mat's base. The surface has strong adhesive properties, which means it may collect dust, while the rubber base may absorb dirt and moisture from the floor. But the mat's thinness means it's easy to clean and quick to dry. We recommend that you wipe down the mat with a moist towel after every session, and regularly rinse it off with water.
POSA NonSlip Travel mats are non-toxic and hypoallergenic
They don't give off any pungent substances or gases while practicing in the heat, and also don't trigger allergies or irritate the skin.
What's the difference between POSA NonSlip Travel 2 mm mats and comparable mats that are 3-4 mm?
The most important tangible difference is the weight. With a 2 mm thickness, the mat only weighs 1200 g. 3-4 mm mats with a rubber base weigh between 1900-2400 g. Based on reviews from the professional community within POSA's customer base, the difference in shock absorption between 2 mm and 3 mm is imperceptible. There is a difference between 2 mm and 4 mm, but it's not drastic. Bottom line: POSA NonSlip Travel mats are lighter, easier to clean, and more hygienic (due to ease of care) than comparable mats with a rubber base and 3-4 mm thickness. They only slightly underperform when it comes to shock absorption.
Gorgeous POSA design
Yoga practice is not just physical work, but energetic work as well. We place a lot of emphasis on our design. POSA NonSlip Travel mats are being released in bright, calming color schemes. The lineup of bold, modern prints allows you to pay attention to yourself. The calming prints will highlight your own elegance. Your sessions will bring you aesthetic pleasure, while your mat will become a new source of strength, where energy is expanded and health is fortified.
Safety measures
Follow these simple guidelines to extend the useful life of your mat and make your practice more comfortable:
- Wash your hands and feet before practice to remove the oil from your skin.
- Don't use hand creams or lotions before practice. Creams with silicon-based additives can make your skin slippery for up to 72 hours.
- Always roll your mat with the top layer facing out, otherwise the corners will begin to curl up and the surface will deteriorate.
- Only fold your mat like a towel in order to transport it around. In order to extend its useful life, do not permanently store your mat in this state.
- Don't wear shoes during practice. Clean, soft-soled shoes are permitted.
- Choose a level space for your practice. Uneven spots may damage the mat's base and cause injury during a failed attempt to exit an asana.
- Don't use soap or other agents meant for cleaning your body. They will establish an oily film. Use only a highly diluted dish detergent or laundry powder.
- Don't soak your mat and don't wash it with hot water. The ideal temperature is 30°C. Mats in this series should not be washed in a washing machine.
- Keep your mat away from the claws of animals.
- Keep your mat away from heating elements.
You can find a detailed description of the other POSA mat series on the "Series features" pages within the catalogue of each corresponding series: POSA Align, NonSlip Pro, and Asana Travel. If you are finding it difficult to pick the right mat, please look over our series selection guide.