Abstract:
A mat that can be used for the practice of yoga includes a curve-shaped design and strategically placed stitch markings to assist the user in producing a properly aligned position with each yoga pose or yoga posture. Both the shape enhancements and stitch markings can help create a technological and functional mat to help both novice and expert practitioners achieve better performance in their yoga practice.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/070,423, filed Mar. 21, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to an exercise mat. In particular, the mat has a shape and indicia to improve the practice that focuses on the user&#39;s body alignment and positioning, as found, for an example, in yoga. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Yoga is the practice of a variety of asanas (postures) performed in a continuous manner or flow. This practice is often traditionally referred to as Hatha Yoga. This 5000 year old custom originates from India, and today has become the fastest growing sport in America; indeed, yoga practitioners have increased 136% since 2001 (MRI Market Study, 2006). There are various forms practiced, which include, but are not limited to: Vinyasa, Bikram, Iyengar and Ashtanga. 
         [0006]    Yoga offers both mental and physical benefits through its postures and breath-control techniques. The postures help create strength, balance and poise. Some poses demand extreme balance and alignment. For the purposes of this application, the terms “postures” and “poses” are used interchangeably. Yoga postures are based and taught upon a stable foundation, the foundation being the particular parts of the body touching the floor or mat. 
         [0007]    There are over one thousand yoga postures. Balance during postures requires a good foundation to maintain stability. A practitioner&#39;s height, flexibility, and level of experience are among the factors that can affect the placement of the body part(s) forming the stable foundation of the posture. Yoga poses are held for a reasonable length of time, sometimes one minute or more. A stable foundation forms the basis of balance for a yoga practitioner in simple poses as well as more complicated and challenging postures. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    In a first embodiment, a mat for the purposes of alignment includes four sides, a shorter first side and a second side substantially parallel thereto, and a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the first and second lateral sides being curved inwardly. The first and second lateral sides are symmetrical about a vertical axis of the mat and the inward curvature of the first and second lateral sides combine to form a narrowest distance between the first and second lateral sides along a transverse axis of the mat. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment, a mat, includes a first end and a second end substantially parallel thereto, and a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the first and second lateral sides curved inwardly. The mat is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the mat and asymmetrical about a transverse axis of the mat, the inward curvature of the first and second lateral sides combine to form a narrowest distance between the first and second lateral sides along the transverse axis of the mat. A first overlap portion is formed on an upper surface of the mat at the first end, and a second overlap portion is formed on a bottom surface of the mat at the second end. 
         [0010]    In a third embodiment, a mat includes a top mat portion having a top mat portion first end substantially parallel to a top mat portion second end, a top mat portion first lateral side and a top mat portion second lateral side, and a top mat portion elongated slot through the top mat portion, the top mat portion first and second lateral sides curved inwardly; and a bottom mat portion having a bottom mat portion first end substantially parallel to a bottom mat portion second end, a bottom mat portion first lateral side and a bottom mat portion second lateral side and a bottom mat portion elongated slot through the bottom mat portion, the bottom mat portion first and second lateral sides curved inwardly, the bottom mat portion assembled to the top mat portion to form a first overlap portion at the first end of the top mat portion and second overlap portion at the second end of the bottom mat portion. The top mat portion and the bottom mat portion are substantially the same size and shape and are each symmetrical about a respective top mat longitudinal and a bottom mat longitudinal axis and asymmetrical about a respective top mat transverse axis and a bottom mat transverse axis. 
         [0011]    Further, the mat includes top mat first indicia on an upper portion of the top mat portion, the upper portion being above the top mat transverse axis; top mat second indicia on a lower portion of the top mat portion, the lower portion being below the top mat transverse axis; bottom mat first indicia on an upper portion of the bottom mat portion, the upper portion being above the bottom mat transverse axis, the bottom mat first indicia substantially the same as the top mat first indicia; and bottom mat second indicia on a lower portion of the bottom mat portion, the lower portion being below the bottom mat transverse axis, the bottom mat second indicia substantially the same as the top mat second indicia. The bottom mat portion is assembled to the top mat portion top mat portion so the top mat transverse axis is aligned with a bottom mat transverse axis, the top mat first indicia is aligned with the bottom mat second indicia, and the top mat second indicia is aligned with the bottom mat first indicia. The inward curves of the respective top mat portion and bottom mat portion lateral sides combine to form a narrowest distance across the mat along the aligned transverse axes of the top mat and bottom mat. 
         [0012]    In an implementation, the first and second indicia of the top and bottom mat portions are each an elongated slot through the respective top and bottom mat portions. 
         [0013]    In a fourth embodiment, a mat includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the first and second lateral sides curved inwardly forming a narrowest distance between the first and second lateral sides, the first and second lateral sides being symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the mat and asymmetrical about a transverse axis of the mat. The inward curves of the first and second lateral sides combine to form a narrowest distance between the first and second lateral sides along the transverse axis of the mat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a mat according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a person performing a yoga posture on the mat of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A-3D  is an illustration of a method of rolling up the mat of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a profile of a mat according to one embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A-5C  is a mat having an overlap portion; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is the mat of  FIG. 5  having alternative indicia; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a mat that is asymmetrical about a transverse axis. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The present disclosure is directed to a mat that may be used for exercise or recreational activities. The mat may be used, for example, for Pilates, exercise, yoga or other activity where physical placement of a user&#39;s body on the mat may be significant. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a mat  100  according to an implementation of the present invention having sides  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c ,  110   d  and indicia  140 . Sides  110   a ,  110   b  are substantially parallel and form a first end and a second end, respectively, of the mat. Sides  110   c ,  110   d  are curved inwardly and form a first lateral side and a second lateral side, respectively, of the mat. Lateral sides  110   c ,  110   d  can be symmetrical about a horizontal, that is, transverse axis  120  of the mat and a mirror-image about a vertical, that is, longitudinal, axis  130  of the mat. The curve in each of lateral sides  110   c ,  110   d  combine to form a tapered waist  160  in the mat that has the narrowest portion along the transverse axis  120  of mat  100 . 
         [0023]    The mat can be marked by several longitudinal stitch markings  140   a ,  140   b , which assist the user in aligning their hands (or feet or other body part(s)) depending on the pose or posture desired. Indicium  140   a  is provided on an upper portion of the mat and indicium  140   b  is on a lower portion of the mat. Indicia  140   a ,  140   b  can each be two lines of stitching each parallel to longitudinal axis  130  of mat  100  and symmetrical thereabout. Indicia  140   a ,  140   b  can be a mirror-image of one another about transverse axis  120  of the mat. In an embodiment, the two lines of stitching of each indicium  140  are no more than 6 centimeters apart and at least 1 (one) centimeter apart. 
         [0024]    Indicium  140   a  can start at an angle, θ, from the transverse axis  120 , at a datum point where the transverse axis intersects inwardly curved lateral side  110   c . In an implementation, θ is in the range of 30 degrees to 70 degrees and preferably in the range of 40 degrees and 60 degrees and more preferably in the range of 45 degrees to 55 degrees. Indicium  140   a  can end at an angle θ in the range of 45 degrees to 85 degrees and preferably in the range of 55 degrees to 75 degrees and more preferably in the range of 60 degrees to 70 degrees. 
         [0025]    Indicia  140   a ,  140   b  can be the parallel lines of stitching as described above. However, alternative indicia may be employed. Indicia  140   a ,  140   b  may be other stitching arrangements as shown in  FIG. 6  or may be a through-hole as described in  FIG. 5 , below or other means of distinguishing an alignment. 
         [0026]    When the mat is used for the practice of yoga, for example, the spatial relationship between the indicia and inwardly curved lateral sides  110   c ,  110   d  provide the practitioner/student with guidance as to body positioning for yoga poses and postures. The mat can also enable the practitioner to assess progress in proper body positioning by observing their body positioning in relation to the spatial relationship between the inwardly curved lateral sides, end sides, and the indicia. Moreover, the inwardly curved lateral sides aid the yoga practitioner using the mat to envision a desired body shape the practitioner wants, desires, or strives for. 
         [0027]    The curved lateral sides produce a waist  160  or hourglass formation along the transverse axis of the mat as part of the overall mat design. Thus the transverse tapered middle section on either side of waist  160  provides a point of balance or reference for the user. Comers  170  where inwardly curved lateral sides  110   c ,  110   d  meet the end sides  110   a ,  110   b , can be rounded to continue the curve-shaped flow of the mat. The spatial relationship of indicia  140   a ,  140   b  to the tapered middle section about waist  160  and end sides  110   a ,  110   b  provide a simple visual point of balance or reference for the yoga practitioner. 
         [0028]    The simplicity of the present design has advantages over more complex yoga mat patterns that attempt to provide exact positioning of the practitioner&#39;s body. Complex designs may give a novice yoga practitioner the false sense that mere body positioning is all that is required to achieve advancement of their yoga practice. For an experienced practitioner, complex designs can be distracting to the physical and mental concentration of yoga practice. Yoga mats having excessive rectilinear markings or sides can provide a visual sight that may be adverse to the psychology and metaphysical mental state for which a yoga practitioner is striving. Moreover, markings for body placement on a rectilinear scale can imply that improvement in yoga practice is achieved in discontinuous, incremental steps. Such a mental construct is antithetical to yoga philosophy in which improvement may be measured along a continuous scale. 
         [0029]    Yoga involves both the control of the mind and the body to achieve purification of the physical body as leading to the purification of the mind. Some yoga students may place an emphasis on the body through asana practice and be satisfied with the physical health and vitality yoga practice can develop. However, yoga achievement is inseparable from mental conditioning. Such mental conditioning may include abstentions, meditation, concentration, and abstraction. The mat of the present invention avoids rectilinear markings and sides and, instead, uses curvilinear relationships to enhance the yoga practitioner&#39;s focus on the non-physical aspects of yoga while not abandoning positional guidance to the yoga posture. 
         [0030]    While the spatial relationship of the curved lateral sides forming the waist of the mat to the stitching and mat ends provides physical and spatial guidance to a practitioner, such relationships may not be evident or obvious to a non-practitioner who does not have understanding or skill in the art of yoga. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a person  210  performing a yoga posture on an embodiment of the mat  100  of the present invention. The person can use both the curve-shaped lateral sides  110   c ,  110   d  on either side of waist  160  and the lower center longitudinal stitch markings  140   b  of the mat, which helps the practitioner to align their pose more properly to preferred yoga practice. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate mat  100  being rolled up, for example, for storage or transport. Because of the inwardly curved configuration of lateral sides  110   c ,  110   d , the mat should be rolled up in the particular way shown. First the mat is folded at a location slightly off transverse axis  120  of the mat. That is, end sides  110   a ,  110   b  do not align after folding resulting in a predetermined amount of gap  310  between ends  110   a ,  110   b . Next, the mat can easily be rolled up as shown in  FIGS. 3B-3D  and put away for future use. As the mat is rolled up, gap  310  decreases until end sides  110   a ,  110   b  are substantially aligned when the mat is completely rolled up as shown in  FIG. 3D . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a mat  400  having a profile substantially as shown in section A-A. In the illustrated implementation, a top surface  410  of mat  400  has an uneven surface profile. In one embodiment, the surface of the mat can be an undulated plane as indicated in the profile A-A of  FIG. 4 . This undulated surface profile A-A is designed to enhance sensory stimulation in the user&#39;s hands, feet, or other body part upon contact, which can create more awareness between the grip of the hands or feet and the surface of the mat. This awareness can assist the user in creating a better platform in the execution of balancing postures. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  illustrates a mat  700  that is symmetrical about a vertical, that is, longitudinal axis  730  and asymmetrical about a horizontal, that is, transverse axis  720 . Mat  700  has sides  710   a ,  710   b ,  710   c ,  710   d  and indicia  740   a ,  740   b . Indicia  740   a ,  740   b  are through-holes in the shape of an elongated slot, although alternative indicia may be used. In an embodiment, the width of elongated slot indicia  740  is less than 6 centimeters and more than 1 (one) centimeter. The length of elongated slot indicia  740  is constrained as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , above. Sides  710   a ,  710   b  are substantially parallel and form a first end and a second end, respectively, of the mat. Sides  710   c ,  710   d  are curved inwardly and form a first lateral side and a second lateral side, respectively, of the mat. The curve in each of lateral sides  710   c ,  710   d  combine to form a tapered waist  760  in the mat that has the narrowest portion along the transverse axis  720 . The corners  770  where inwardly curved lateral sides  710   c ,  710   d  meet the end sides  710   a ,  710   b , can be rounded to continue the curve-shaped flow of the mat. 
         [0035]    Transverse axis  720  and longitudinal axis  730  conceptually divide the mat into four quadrants, I, II, III, IV. Mat  700  is symmetrical about longitudinal axis  730  and not symmetrical about transverse axis  720 . Quadrant pairs I and II are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. Similarly, quadrants III and IV are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. Quadrants I and III are asymmetrical about the transverse axis. Similarly, quadrants II and IV are asymmetrical about the transverse axis. Thus, the distance from transverse axis  720  to first edge  710   a  is relatively shorter than the distance from transverse axis  720  to second edge  710   b.    
         [0036]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a top, side, and bottom view, respectively, of a mat  500  having overlap end portions  550   a ,  550   b . Mat  500  is comprised of a top mat portion  580  and a bottom mat portion  582  that have substantially the same shape and are similar to the mat described with respect to  FIG. 7 . That is, mats  580 ,  582  are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis  530  and asymmetrical about a horizontal, that is, transverse axis  520 . For convenience, only top mat portion  580  will be described, bottom mat  582  being substantially the same. Top mat  580  has sides  510   a ,  510   b ,  510   c ,  510   d  and indicia  540 . Indicia  540   a ,  540   b  are through-holes in the shape of an elongated slot, although the invention is not limited to a particular form of indicia. In an embodiment, the width of elongated slot indicia  540  is less than 6 centimeters and more than 1 (one) centimeter. The length of elongated slot indicia  540  is constrained as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , above. Sides  510   a ,  510   b  are substantially parallel and form a first end and a second end, respectively, of the top mat. Sides  510   c ,  510   d  are curved inwardly and form a first lateral side and a second lateral side, respectively, of the top mat. Lateral sides  510   c ,  510   d  can be a mirror-image about a vertical, that is, longitudinal axis  530  of the top mat. The curve in each of the lateral sides  510   c ,  510   d  combine to form a tapered waist  560  in the top mat that has the narrowest portion along the transverse axis  520  of mat  500 . The corners  570  where inwardly curved lateral sides  510   c ,  510   d  meet the end sides  510   a ,  510   b , can be rounded to continue the curve-shaped flow of the mat. Top mat  580  is not symmetrical about a transverse axis  520  of the mat. That is, the distance from transverse axis  520  to first edge  510   a  is relatively shorter than the distance from transverse axis  520  to second edge  510   b.    
         [0037]    Top mat  580  is assembled to bottom mat  582  by aligning the tapered waist of each and having the shorter distance from the transverse axis to the first edge of the top mat rest over the longer distance from the transverse axis to the top edge of the bottom mat. When so aligned, the respective transverse axes of top mat  580  and bottom mat  582  are aligned as are the respective longitudinal axes thereof. When so assembled, the assembly provides overlap portions  550   a ,  550   b  as shown in  FIG. 5B . Moreover, when assembled, indicia in the top and bottom mats also will align over one another to create a through-hole in the assembled mat  500 . Also, the perimeter of the resultant assembled mat is symmetrical about both the aligned traverse and longitudinal axes. A center support, not shown, such as a cotton mesh, may be assembled between the top and bottom mats. 
         [0038]    Overlap end portions  550  present another visual curve to the practitioner. Overlap end portions  550  continue the curvilinear relationship already established between through-hole indicia  540   a ,  540   b  and curved lateral sides  510   c ,  510   d  as described above with respect to the mat of  FIG. 1 . When used for the practice of yoga, for example, the spatial relationships of the curved surfaces can combine to both provide a user with positional locators for hands (or feet) during a yoga pose as well as a measure of positional improvement along the continuity of those relationships. Moreover, overlap end portion  550  can provide a visual focal point for the practitioner and establish an orientation for the yoga mat by distinguishing between end sides  510   a  and  510   b . These features may provide the user/practitioner with additional confidence in their alignment, and further allow them the freedom “to be in” or fully experience the pose. Consequently, a user/practitioner may have less apprehension and self-doubt that can hinder proper yoga practice. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative stitching  640   a ,  640   b  in the shape of an elongated rectangular box symmetrical around longitudinal axis  630  and located, respectively, in an upper part, above a horizontal, that is, transverse axis  620 , and a lower part, below the transverse axis. Stitching  640   a ,  640   b  fill a portion of the upper part and lower part, respectively, of the mat and are mirror-images of one another around transverse axis  620 . In an embodiment, the width of elongated rectangular stitching indicia  640  is less than 6 centimeters and more than 1 (one) centimeter. The length of elongated rectangular stitching indicia  540   a ,  540   b  is constrained as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , above. 
         [0040]    Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.