4 ways to use a yoga mat without doing yoga.
There are around 36 million people who practice yoga in the United States. Yoga can be found in all types of diverse settings and communities. Yoga research is on the rise, expounding the benefits for people who practice it. Yoga has also made its way into many nooks and crannies of the healthcare world: from classes in hospitals, to occupational, physical and speech therapists incorporating the practices into their therapy sessions. These are amazing advances and the yoga community should be honored to be a vital part of the healthcare landscape. On the flip side, many healthcare providers do not use yoga as part of their therapy. Yoga is not for everyone. However, these providers are missing out on a key part of the yoga toolkit: the yoga mat. There are multiple uses for a yoga mat that do not require practicing yoga. Many therapists use exercise bands, balls, machines... so why not include a yoga mat in your arsenal!
The Yoga Mat
Over 10 million yoga mats are sold each year. If you’ve never purchased a yoga mat, you may be in for a world of shock when deciding among the many different options. Yoga mats come in all different sizes, with the standard being 24 inches wide by 68 or 72 inches long. Custom sizes, like a wider or longer mat are great for athletes and varied body types. The mats also come in different thicknesses, 1/8 or 1/4 inches being the most common. There is a huge rainbow of colors and patterns to choose from, purple being the most popular. Finally, the materials used to make the yoga mat include plastic (PVC), rubber and cork. This is not a buyer's guide, so I will not recommend any product (other than my own, of course at: www.happyw.co). This article is about using the yoga mat as a surface to enhance therapy. Here are 4 ways to use a yoga mat without doing yoga.
1. As a Workspace
The yoga mat is a very versatile platform for conducting therapy sessions, specifically by delineating space. For a therapist that does home visits it might be a necessity. Often the therapist enters -- how can I say this delicately -- a not so clean house! There might not be access to a space to conduct the therapy session, while feeling comfortable getting on the floor with the patient. On the flip side, the space might be clean, but maybe it is small. The yoga mat, being 2 x 6 feet, allows the therapist to differentiate a workspace for themselves. Yoga mats are easy to clean (see my blog: Cleaning Your Yoga Mat in a Healthcare Environment ), lightweight and portable. Most yoga mats roll up and some come with a carrying case. In the clinical environment, the portability benefit of a usable workspace becomes evident, especially when all the therapy rooms are full.
2. As a Challenge Tool
There is always the need for a therapist to challenge their patients. Maybe it is because the patient has plateaued or they are just getting bored. The yoga mat can provide a unique option for a therapist. It can be rolled up and used as a balance beam. It can be folded over in multiple ways to make a manageable elevated surface for stepping on and off. The internal space of the mat can provide quadrants for movement. The straight edges can be great for tandem walking. And the thick, cushioned surface can be used for tactile awareness. The sticky material and ability to manipulate height are a great option for multiple balance challenges.
3. For Safety
The safety of the patient is priority one. As we mentioned earlier, a yoga mat is easy to clean. Having the ability to clean a surface provides safety for the therapist, patient and caregiver. Because the yoga mat surface is soft and cushiony, it provides comfort and safety for the barefoot patient. Most yoga mats have a sticky surface and provide stability (patients with gait concerns should be made aware of this quality so they do not trip). Plus, the surface provides a small layer of protection if the patient were to all. The surface also helps protect your floors if a weight or other heavy therapy tool are dropped.
4. To Increase Engagement
Every therapy session is different, from the demographics of patients, to the therapy environment. Adapting the therapy session to the person and situation are a key part of providing quality therapy. Let us take for example, the pediatric community. Kids love to play. The yoga mat is a fun surface and a great way to engage kiddo. It might even be a familiar surface, especially if their school or caregivers practice yoga. In group therapy, having individual mats could be a lifesaver and a great way to conduct partner play. Some less porous yoga mats, like a PVC product, can be customized by using dry-erase markers to personalize them. (Do check with your mat manufacturer and test on a small area of the mat.) A patient with Alzheimer's or a child with autism could benefit from the spatial confinement and familiarity of using a yoga mat. Having the same surface may be soothing or comforting. Simple things like the ritual of opening or rolling up the mat could provide structure and repetition.
I am sure there are many more applications that the creative therapy community has discovered. We would love to hear from you. Please share how you use a yoga mat on our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/happywellnessmat/ ). Bottom line, using a yoga mat is a cheap, portable, lightweight and fun surface for conducting therapy. Therefore, it should be a staple in every therapist’s toolbox!