Yoga mat incorporating non-slip positioning pads

Abstract

A yoga mat defined by an upper surface and a lower substrate contacting surface, and a peripheral edging, the upper surface having positioned thereon a plurality of textured non-slip positioning pads in parallel relationship, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mat and extending laterally across the width of the mat or portion thereof, in raised relationship to the upper surface of the yoga mat providing comfortable non-slip tactile contact with the bare hands and bare feet of a yoga practitioner performing certain yoga positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the practice of yoga, and in particular, to a yoga mat which provides support, cushioning and stability to the practitioner, and includes non-slip positioning pads that facilitate and stabilize the practitioner's body positioning during the practice of yoga.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Yoga exercises are performed in a series of graceful, rhythmic, slow motion movements often with a brief “holding” period for certain of the positions. The practitioner maintains poise and balance at all times with attention unwaveringly fixed on the movements being executed. Yoga exercises, positions, and movements, are performed in a standing position, sitting position, and in a lying position, both prone and supine.

Many of the yoga exercises can be practiced on a bare floor or rug without the need for any special aids. Traditionally, however, yoga has been practiced on a yoga mat which originally was in the form of a Japanese tatami mat. However, with the development of technology, current yoga mats are constructed of a padded foam core, which is overlaid with a resilient and wear-resistant shell layer. The yoga mat can vary in size, but is traditionally between three and four feet wide, with a length of approximately six feet.

One common type of yoga mat is constructed of polyvinyl foam in a sheet layer and is resilient in that it can be rolled into a cylindrical form for easy transport when not in use. The yoga practitioner would unroll the yoga mat onto the floor and stand on the yoga mat while performing the exercises. While yoga exercises are designed to be performed in a series of graceful rhythmic slow motion movements with holding periods, over the course of a session, the practitioner can develop perspiration, and since the exercises are traditionally performed barefoot, the yoga mat itself may become slippery. This can be of particular concern for practitioners of bikram yoga, wherein the exercises are practiced in hot environments, which augments the perspiration of the practitioner. The perspiration may also contribute to the practitioner slipping during dynamic transitions between yoga positions thereby making the practice of some positions difficult to perform, if not hazardous.

Modern yoga mats can typically be fabricated with a friction-like lower surface so as to prevent slippage of the mat on the underlying substrate. However, a frictional or non-slip upper surface in its entirety is impractical, for in many of the positions practiced in yoga, such as those in the sitting or lying position, some slippage of the body is required in order to attain the correct position. There has been a need for a selective positioning of a non-slip positioning indicia pad affixed to the upper surface of the yoga mat to aid the practitioner in proper functional positioning of the hands and feet and also to provide a comfortable tactile non-slip surface for the bare hands and the bare feet.

The proper positioning of the hands and feet in the practice of yoga is important to both the experienced practitioner and the beginning practitioner. Certain postures and poses which include, but are not limited to the downward-dog, up-dog, warrior one and warrior two, forward-bend, plank pose, triangle poses, and wide stance forward bend require the extension of the arms and legs to obtain a posture and pose, which is then held by the practitioner for the desired amount of time. Both the experienced and beginning practitioner are concerned with their safety in obtaining these poses, particularly if there is a chance of slippage of the hands or feet. By alleviating the concerns for safety by use of the non-slip positioning pads, the practitioner, either experienced or beginner, can devote his attention to a higher state of consciousness in performing the posture or pose without worrying about injuring his or herself.

Still further, with the beginning practitioner, it insures and reinforces them of the proper placement of the hands and feet when following the directions of the teacher.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat which provides stability and cushioning to the practitioner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat which incorporates non-slip positioning pads on its upper surface to facilitate and stabilize the practitioner's body positioning during the practice of yoga.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat in which the non-slip positioning pads are integral with the underlying yoga mat.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat in which the non-slip positioning pads are affixed to the upper surface of the yoga mat by adhesive.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat in which the non-slip positioning pads are secured to the upper surface of the yoga mat by stitching, heat sealing or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat on which the practitioner may position non-slip positioning pads in accordance with the physiology of the practitioner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat in which non-slip positioning pads affixed to the upper surface thereof provide for a comfortable non-slip tactile contact with the bare hands and bare feet of the practitioner during certain yoga positions.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat which incorporates non-slip positioning pads on the upper surface thereof, which non-slip positioning pads do not interfere with yoga positions that do not require a non-slip surface.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat which incorporates non-slip positioning pads on the upper surface thereof, which provide greater safety and security to the practitioner, and allows the practitioner to find and hold the proper hand and foot placement in many of the poses and postures required by yoga.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A yoga mat defined by an upper surface and a lower substrate contacting surface, and a peripheral edging, the upper surface having positioned thereon a plurality of textured non-slip positioning pads in parallel relationship, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mat and extending laterally across the width of the mat or portion thereof, in raised relationship to the upper surface of the yoga mat providing comfortable non-slip tactile contact with the bare hands and bare feet of a yoga practitioner performing certain yoga positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective partial cutaway view of a typical yoga mat of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a yoga mat of the present invention illustrating a first embodiment thereof with non-slip positioning pads;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a yoga mat of the present invention illustrating a second embodiment incorporating the non-slip positioning pads;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional exploded view of a yoga mat with the non-slip positioning pads as illustrated in FIG. 2, positioned utilizing an adhesed securing means;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a yoga mat of the present invention with non-slip positioning pads illustrating an alternative securing means; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the yoga mat of the present invention with non-slip positioning pads showing a practitioner in the Adho Mukha Vanasana, or downward-facing dog pose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective partial cutaway view of a typical yoga mat 10 of the prior art. The yoga mat 10 comprises a polyvinyl foam core 12 which provides resilient cushioning to the practitioner, the polyvinyl foam core is overlaid with an outer shell material 14 which provides some degree of wear resistance and can be secured about the periphery 16 of yoga mat 10. The lower surface 18 of yoga mat 10 is designed to be in abutting contact with the supporting substrate 20, such as a bare floor or carpeted floor, and the practitioner performs the exercises and positions while standing, sitting, or lying on the upper surface 22. The lower surface 18 may be patterned or embossed to provide frictional engagement with the underlying substrate 20 to prevent yoga mat 10 from sliding on the underlying substrate. The upper surface 22 of the mat is generally a smooth planar surface.

In performing yoga exercises and positions over a period of time, the practitioner may perspire and that perspiration may find its way to the bare hands and bare feet of the practitioner and to the upper surface 22 of the yoga mat 10. This perspiration contributes to the slippage of the bare hands and bare feet on the upper surface 22 of yoga mat 10. Thus, the practitioner may find it difficult to attain a particular yoga position or maintain the particular yoga position. A frictional non-slip surface in its entirety comprising the upper surface of yoga mat 10 is impractical in that many of the yoga positions and exercises require a certain amount of slippage as the practitioner transitions between yoga positions, particularly when in the sitting or lying positions.

This perspiration problem is augmented by those practitioners who practice bikram yoga, which is performed in a hot environment. Practitioners of this particular type of yoga have had to resort to wearing socks and gloves in order to maintain a non-slip contact with upper surface 22 of yoga mat 10. This is not conducive to the proper movement of the practitioner, nor the results which the practitioner desires to attain from the practice of yoga.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a yoga mat 30 of the present invention which incorporates the non-slip positioning pads 32 positioned in a first embodiment of the invention. The underlying yoga mat 30 is similar to yoga mat 10 of the prior art (FIG. 1). The difference is with respect to a plurality of non-slip positioning pads 32 selectively positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis 34 of yoga mat 30 and which in FIG. 2, extend laterally substantially across the width 36 of yoga mat 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, there are two such non-slip positioning pads 32 selectively positioned in spaced apart relationship 38. The spacing of the non-slip positioning pads 32 is dictated by the physiology of the individual practitioner, i.e. the practitioner's height, arm length and reach, and leg length or inseam length.

Many of the positions practiced in yoga require the practitioner to start from a prone position lying on the mat and to lift the torso of the body using the arms and legs, or alternatively to start from a supine position and lift the torso of the body using the arms and legs and hold that position. Additional exercises and positions may be required or performed from either of these positions, but nevertheless, the practitioner requires a non-slip surface in spaced apart relationship based on the particular physiology of the practitioner. Thus a taller person would require a greater spacing of the non-slip positioning pads 32, whereas a shorter person would require a lesser spacing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yoga mat 30 of the present invention with the second embodiment of the non-slip positioning pads 32 illustrated. In this configuration, yoga mat 30 is similar to that of FIG. 2, and the non-slip positioning pads 32 are identical in shape, height and texture, as those of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates the second embodiment wherein the non-slip positioning pads 32 while positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis 34 of yoga mat 30 are not unitary and do not extend laterally across the entire width of the mat. In this second embodiment, the non-slip positioning pads 32 are positioned in pairs transverse to the longitudinal axis 34 of yoga mat 30 and do not extend laterally across the width 36 of yoga mat 30. This configuration allows the practitioner to fine tune the positioning of these non-slip positioning pads 32 to the practitioners particular physiology by allowing greater flexibility in their positioning.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional exploded view of yoga mat 30 with non-slip positioning pads 32 as illustrated in FIG. 2 with the non-slip positioning pads 32 being positioned by an adhesive. In this configuration, yoga mat 30 is similar to that of the prior art and the non-slip positioning pads 32 are purchased separately or are included with the yoga mat.

The non-slip positioning pads 32 are comprised of an inner resilient core 40 encapsulated in a resilient shell 42 having an upper raised surface 44 formed with a non-slip, tactile friction pattern 46 and a planar lower surface 48, the planar lower surface 48 having an adhesive layer 50 affixed thereto, the adhesive layer 50 overlaid with protective peel off layer 52. The upper raised shell surface 44 and lower planar shell surface arcuately merge at their respective ends 54 and 58 (See FIG. 2) to eliminate any sharp exposed edges.

In this configuration, the practitioner positions the non-slip positioning pads 32 with the protective peel off layers 52 at spaced apart locations on yoga mat 30, and assumes those yoga positions that require the non-slip surface and the tactile contact with the bare hands and bare feet. Once the positioning and spacing of the non-slip positioning pads has been determined by the particular practitioner based on his or her physiology, the practitioner would then remove the peelable protective layer and adhese the non-slip positioning pad 32 to the upper surface 22 of yoga mat 30 at the determined location. Once adhesed, the non-slip positioning pads 32 do not interfere with any other yoga exercises or positions that do not require their use, and they do not interfere with the rollability of the yoga mat for transport and storage.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of yoga mat 30 with non-slip positioning pads 32 positioned thereon as part of the original yoga mat. This configuration is identical to the configuration of FIG. 4 with the exception that the non-slip positioning pads 32 are permanently secured to yoga mat 30 during the course of manufacture by means of a heat seal or sewn thread 60 through the lower planar surface 48 of the non-slip positioning pad 32 directly to yoga mat 30. In this configuration, the practitioner purchases a yoga mat with the secured non-slip positioning pads 32 secured in spaced apart relationship based upon a sizing system which is compatible to physiological measurements.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the yoga mat 30 with non-slip positioning pads 32 positioned thereon illustrating a practitioner 100 assuming the pose identified as the downward-facing dog pose, which is designed to work certain spinal muscles to obtain neutral spinal alignment, as well as leg and arm muscles.

It should be remembered that the practitioner obtains this pose and maintains this pose for a period of time in accordance with the instructor's directions. If the practitioner has been perspiring, or is a practitioner of the bikram yoga, which is performed in hot environments, a traditional mat, as well as the hands and feet of the practitioner, may be moist and slippery. It can therefore be seen how the non-slip positioning pads 32 aid the practitioner in performing the particular pose, alleve the practitioner of any safety considerations, and allow the practitioner to devote his attention to achieving a higher state of consciousness with respect to this particular posture.

Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.

Claims

1. A yoga mat comprising: a padded foam core overlaid with a wear resistant shell material defining an upper surface and a lower substrate contacting surface, the lower substrate contacting surface having non-slip characteristics;a plurality of textured, non-slip raised positioning pads permanently positioned on said upper surface in parallel spaced apart relationship, transverse to a longitudinal axis of the mat, said textured non-slip positioning pads in raised relationship to the upper surface of said yoga mat and in spaced apart relationship for non-slip contact with the bare hands and bare feet of a yoga practitioner.

2. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of textured, non-slip raised positioning pads are textured non-slip contact areas for said bare hands and said bare feet of said yoga practitioner.

3. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of textured non-slip raised positioning pads present a semi-cylindrical surface with tapered ends.

4. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 3 wherein said plurality of textured non-slip raised positioning pads comprise two textured non-slip positioning pads in parallel relationship, transverse to the longitudinal axis of said mat in raised relationship to said upper surface of the yoga mat, and provide non-slip tactile contact with said bare hands and said bare feet of said yoga practitioner.

5. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 3 wherein said textured non-slip raised positioning pads in parallel relationship, transverse to said longitudinal axis of the mat comprise four textured non-slip positioning pads permanently positioned in raised relationship to said upper surface of said yoga mat providing non slip tactile contact for each hand and each foot of said yoga practitioner.

6. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 4 wherein said plurality of textured non-slip raised positioning pads in parallel relationship, transverse to the longitudinal axis of said mat in extending laterally across said width of said mat or portion thereof in raised relationship to said upper surface of said mat providing non-slip tactile contact with said bare hands and said bare feet of said yoga practitioner are unitarily formed with said padded foam core.

7. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 4 wherein said plurality of textured non-slip raised positioning pads for positioning transverse to said longitudinal axis of said mat in extending laterally across said width of said mat or portion thereof in raised relationship to said upper surface of said mat providing non-slip tactile contact with said bare hands and said bare feet of said yoga practitioner are formed with an underlying adhesive layer and peel off protective layer for the selective positioning on said upper surface of said yoga mat by said yoga practitioner to accommodate said yoga practitioners anatomic and physiologic body measurements.

8. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plurality of textured non-slip raised positioning pads in parallel relationship, transverse to the longitudinal axis of said mat in extending laterally across said width of said mat or portion thereof in raised relationship to said upper surface of said mat providing non-slip tactile contact with said bare hands and said bare feet of said yoga practitioner are unitarily formed with said padded foam core.

9. The yoga mat in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plurality of textured non-slip raised positioning pads for positioning transverse to said longitudinal axis of said mat in extending laterally across said width of said mat or portion thereof in raised relationship to said upper surface of said mat providing non-slip tactile contact with said bare hands and said bare feet of said yoga practitioner are formed with an underlying adhesive layer and peel off protective layer for the selective positioning on said upper surface of said yoga mat by said yoga practitioner to accommodate said yoga practitioners anatomic and physiologic body measurements.