Abstract:
An exercise mat including a material sized and shaped to support at least one user body part thereon, the material having an upper planar surface, a single starting point representing a number zero on the upper planar surface, and at least two series of sequential integers disposed on the upper planar surface and extending from the single starting point. Each of the at least two series of sequential integers corresponding to a coordinate and placement site for a body part of a user to facilitate measurement of a linear distance along the upper planar surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/732,234, filed Dec. 31, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,589, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/581,611, filed Dec. 29, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/681,480, filed Aug. 9, 2012, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an Exercise Yoga mat that includes a design on the mat that helps a yoga practitioner properly measure body placement during postures. Until this invention, Exercise Yoga mats were either entirely blank or had lines and designs printed to aid the practitioner with placement. However, none of these give the user the tools to identify the measured distances they are performing poses in. 
     Yoga has many poses that require a person&#39;s contact point foundation to have one or both feet and/or hands on the mat. If the foundation for a particular pose entails at least 2 contact points, this invention allows one to measure the distances between them. By knowing the distances of body placement, one can identify which distances are comfortable, stay consistent from practice to practice, and keep track of progress. In addition, it would be very simple for a teacher to aid the practitioner by identifying to them which spot and what exact distances to perform a pose in. People come in varying sizes and flexibility abilities, lines and designs on one mat may not be entirely suitable for each varying person using that mat. This mat with measurements allows all varieties of people and skill level to find their comfortable positions on the mat, and measure the distances they have performed. For instance, if a shorter person can only stretch out 8 inches, a taller person may be able to measure 12 inches out. Or a shorter person with good flexibility may be able to measure out 12 inches as well. This mat will show exactly how far out one can stretch, irregardless of size and flexibility ability. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the exercise/yoga mat field and performing exercises within 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a yoga/exercise mat that allows a practitioner to numerically measure ones poses and track his or her flexibility progress during the Exercise Yoga practice. The distance markings can be along the outer edges of the mat, and/or at each spot on the mat. 
     Two spots on the mat are ideal to be used as starting points for measurements. One can choose a corner to start from, or one can start from the center of the mat. Each spot on the mat has a linear direct distance associated with it from this start point, a horizontal distance from the start point associated with it and a vertical distance from the start point associated with it. For purposes of description, we will call the combination of the horizontal and vertical distances associated with a spot as its ‘coordinates’. In a preferred embodiment it is easiest to place these markings/coordinates at one-inch intervals along the mat on a continuous horizontal and vertical plane. 
     By having spots on the mat that identify distances, one can place any 2 body extremities on the mat and now measure the distances between them. This is essential for tracking, improving, consistency. 
     In one embodiment, the invention includes a method of performing yoga exercises comprising: 
     providing a yoga mat having an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, a series of printed indicia on at least one of the surfaces constructed and arranged to measure varying distances along the upper planar surface of said yoga mat; 
     positioning a user on said upper planar surface, executing a yoga position by said user; and 
     measuring at least one distance of a user&#39;s hand or foot relative to one or more of other users hands and feet or to other marked indicia on the mat. 
     The method in one embodiment is on a mat that is free of grid lines. In another embodiment, the mat has grid lines connecting the measuring spots. 
     The method includes providing the mat as being labeled with distance indicia. 
     In another embodiment, the invention is a method of performing yoga exercises comprising: 
     providing a yoga mat having an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface and a center point, printed indicia denoting said center point, a series of printed indicia constructed and arranged to measure linear distance from said center point along either planar surface of said yoga mat; 
     positioning a user on said center point; 
     executing a yoga position by said user; and 
     measuring at least one distance of a user&#39;s hand or foot from at least one of a center point, a perpendicular point along the center horizontal midpoint line of mat, a perpendicular point along the vertical midpoint line of mat, or any combination thereof providing at least one of linear, horizontal, vertical measurements to at least one of a user&#39;s hand or foot when the hand or foot is placed on the mat. As used herein, surface, is either planar surface of the mat. The surface is generally viewed as the side facing upwards during yoga or exercise use. In one embodiment, the surfaces have different indicia that provide different measurements and indicators for varying yoga exercises. 
     The method includes one embodiment whereby the printed indicia is connected using grid lines and one embodiment wherein the indicia is free of grid lines. 
     The method includes providing the mat with printed indicia that includes points equidistantly spaced from said center point. 
     In one embodiment, the mat is divided into four quadrants that are identically labeled with distance indicia. 
     The printed indicia includes points equidistantly spaced from either a center point or a starting point, the starting point, as used herein, being a point on the mat other than the center point, said indicia providing horizontal and vertical distance from said perpendicular points along the vertical or horizontal midpoints of the mat. 
     The printed indicia includes points equidistantly spaced from the center point or starting point, said indicia providing horizontal and vertical distance from said center point 
     The invention further provides a yoga mat comprising: an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface and a center point, or a starting point, the starting point being a point on the mat other than the center point, wherein printed indicia denotes at least one of a center point or staring point, a series of printed indicia constructed and arranged to measure linear distance from said center point along the upper planar surface of said yoga mat. 
     In one embodiment, the mat is free of grid lines. 
     The printed indicia includes points or spots that are equidistantly spaced from center point or starting point. The yoga mat is preferably divided into four quadrants that are identically labeled with distance indicia. The printed indicia includes points equidistantly spaced from center point or starting point, said indicia providing horizontal and vertical distance from said center point. 
     The printed indicia includes points equidistantly spaced from said center point or starting point and said indicia provides visual indication for a user to determine horizontal and vertical distance from said center point. 
     In a preferred embodiment that will be detailed and focused on more thoroughly has the measurements starting from a center point on the mat and working outward in 4 directions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is the view a mat according to the present invention with the “ 100 th” design. 
         FIG. 1B  is enlarged view from section “A” of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is an enlarged view of section “B” of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the mat “ 200 ” using alternative indicia of the present invention with the “ 100 ” design. 
         FIG. 3  is a view of an embodiment of the mat according to the present invention with the mat corner start non-symmetrical “ 300 ” design. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial view of an embodiment of the mat according to the present invention with linear indicia “ 400 ” design. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of an embodiment of the mat according to the present invention without the grid axis “ 500 ” design. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of mat  100  showing an environment of use with a person in a forward bend pose. 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged view of section “C” of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of section “D” of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of section “E” of  FIG. 6   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As generally described herein the present invention includes a yoga mat and a method for performing and measuring yoga maneuvers utilizing said mat. It is to be understood that the accompanying figures are meant for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments displayed thereon. For example, although the drawings show particular symbols denoting varying numbers, the invention relates to the general geography whereby the person&#39;s hands and/or feet are oriented and aligned on the yoga mat, and measurements from those points. In one embodiment, particularized grid markings can be used to connect spot measurement indicia. Additionally, the present invention encompasses a mat such as that shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein no particular grid lines are present but wherein indicia is provided for measurement during yoga exercises. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  Exercise Yoga mat  100  is provided with a generally planar surface printed with indicia. In one embodiment horizontal indicia  106  and vertical indicia  108  are printed on mat  100 . In one embodiment, each of indicia  106  and  108  are sequentially numbered. Mat  100  is divided into two halves  110  and four equally sized quadrants  112 . Each of two halves  110  of mat  100  are constructed and arranged in orientation such that one half of mat  110  is upside down with respect to the opposing half. Each of the two halves  110  of mat  100  includes two quadrants of mat  100  that are mirror images of one another. Yoga mat  100  in one embodiment is printed with equal distance horizontal indicia  106 , legends 0-18 (2 inches apart for example) equal distance vertical indicia  108  legends 0-(−5) (2 inches apart). As previously discussed, each quadrant is substantially a mirror image of another. In one embodiment, horizontal indicia  106  and vertical indicia  108  printed on yoga mat  100  are spaced equally apart as desired. For example, indicia could be provided at one inch or two-inch intervals. Horizontal indicia  106  with connecting horizontal lines  102 , and vertical indicia  108  with connecting vertical lines  104  provide a visual aid with numbered measurements to give the user a specific visual reference spot as to placement of body parts during yoga exercise poses. 
     Horizontal centerline  102  a divides mat  100  into substantially into two horizontally equal halves. 
     Mat  100  additionally has vertical centerline  104 A that divides mat  100  into substantially into two vertical halves. 
     Two equal horizontal halves  110   a  are preferably symmetrically placed with respect to horizontal centerline  102   a  forming mirror images of one another. 
     Two equal vertical halves  110   b  are preferably symmetrically placed with respect to vertical centerline  104   a  forming mirror images of one another. 
     In one embodiment four equal quadrants  112  are formed by printed indicia in which yoga mat  100  is divided into two equal horizontal halves  110   a  and two equal vertical halves  110   b.    
     Each of the four equal quadrants  112   a ,  112   b    112   c ,  112   d  are labeled in a similar pattern as defined by using horizontal indicia  106  and vertical indicia  108   
     These 4 quadrant identifying labels presume that the user is at the center on yoga mat  100  and has shoulders horizontally aligned so that  112   a  is at front left of users facing direction. 
     front left quadrant  112   a;    
     front right quadrant  112   b;    
     back left quadrant  112   c ; and 
     back right quadrant  112   d.    
     The final four equal quadrants  112  being symmetrically oriented in relation to horizontal center line  102 ( a ) and vertical center line  104  ( a ) 
     In one embodiment, graph axis  114  is a uniform grid like pattern resulting from connecting horizontal lines  102  and connecting vertical lines  104  on yoga mat  100 . 
     Coordinate measurement spots  116  are the spots on yoga mat  100  which are specific measured points on graph axis  114  resulting from where horizontal indicia  106  and vertical indicia  108  intersect. For example, a Coordinate measurement spot  116  will have intersecting spot of horizontal indicia  106 , measurement 8, and vertical indicia  108 , measurement (−3), to be Coordinate measurement spot  116 , 8(−3), on Graph axis  114 . 4(−4), 11(0), 0(−5), 17(−1) etc. can be other Coordinate measurement spots  116 . Another example, where Horizontal centerline  102 ( a ) and Vertical center line  104 ( a ) intersect, will be labeled Coordinate measurement spot  116 , 0(0). 
     Forward bend pose  126  is a yoga pose that the user or exerciser uses on yoga mat  100 . Forward bend pose  126   a  requires the body to be positioned with the shoulders parallel with vertical indicia  108  on yoga mat  100 . With this body/shoulder alignment along the vertical indicia  108 , the quadrant in front right will now be  112   a —will now be to the persons front right . . . as opposed to  112   a  being at the persons front left if one is aligned with shoulders parallel to horizontal indicia  106 ; 
     front right quadrant  112   b —will now be to the persons back right; 
     back left quadrant  112   c —will now be to the persons front left; and 
     back right quadrant  112   d —will now be to the persons back left. 
     Forward bend pose right foot  128  is a part of Forward bend pose  126  identifying the placement of the users right foot on Graph axis  114 . Forward bend pose left foot  130  is a part of Forward bend pose  126  identifying the placement of the users left foot on Graph axis  114 . Forward bend pose right hand  132  is a part of forward bend pose  126  identifying the placement of the user&#39;s right hand on Graph axis  114 . Forward bend pose left hand  134  is a part of forward bend pose  126  identifying the placement of the user&#39;s left hand on graph axis  114 . 
     The user practicing forward bend pose vertical  126  will then use graph axis  114  to align themselves properly with both hands and both feet. One then places each body contact point on the same horizontal plane and/or the same vertical plane and can easily measure distances. A user for instance will place Forward bend pose right foot  128  in quadrant  112   b  on Coordinate measurement spot  116  10(−1), and forward bend pose left foot  130  in quadrant  112   d  on Coordinate measurement spot  116 , 10(−1). The user will then place Forward bend pose right hand  132  in quadrant  112   a  on Coordinate measurement spot  116  5(−2), and Forward bend pose left hand  134  in back left quadrant  112   c  on Coordinate measurement spot  116  5(−2), establishing the users body position in proper alignment and symmetry, and for quick measurement using the sum of the Coordinate measurement spots  116  from feet placement along the horizontal indicia  106  plane, and then also the sum of the Coordinate measurement spots  116  from hand placement along the horizontal indicia  106  plane. 
     In this example, assume the indicia on the mat are measured out at 1 inch from each other, the feet will result in being 20 inches apart, and the hands result in being 10 inches apart from each other. 
     Each embodiment disclosed herein is used either singularly or otherwise combined with any of the other embodiments disclosed. Any element of any embodiment will be used in any embodiment. 
     Embodiments include, for example, other labels that are used instead of numbers. For example, letters, a different alphabet and/or numbering system could be used; for example, Roman numerals could be used instead of the letters and/or numbers and the Greek alphabet, Hiragana alphabet, Sanskrit, the Mayan alphabet, various yoga symbols or signs, nature related symbols, colors, any symbols or signs, or another alphabet could be used instead of the English alphabet. The modification includes any indicia including numbers, letter, symbols and the like. 
     In certain embodiments, indicia will be spaced by an amount that is different than 1 or 2 inches apart, such as a distance between 1-4 inches, or fractional/decimal distances, (e.g., 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 inches/mm). 
     Mat  300  is constructed and arranged with measurement indicia start point in one of the mat corners, resulting in a sequential series along the mats perimeters with an assymetrical measuring method. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial view of an embodiment of the mat according to the present invention with a linear indicia “ 400 ” design. Mat  400  is constructed and arranged with a plurality of linear indicia  120  measurement spots  416  along horizontal and vertical planes illustrated at right angles. Measurement spots  416 , in one embodiment are spaced equidistant one to another throughout mat  400 . In another embodiment, spots  416  are spaced exponentially or gradated, meaning gradually larger or smaller in distance. As provided herein, spots  416  can also be color-coded to indicate any one or all of horizontal, vertical, or diagonal distance along mat  400 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , measurement spots  416  form an exemplary matrix four across and five down spaced equidistant one to another throughout mat  400 . Each measurement spot  416  is depicted with number indicia printed on the mat. In the partial view embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the measurements spots in a first row across are numbered 0, 1, 2, and 3. In the partial view embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the measurements sports in a first column down across are numbered 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the partial view embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the measurement spot numbered 0 is a single starting point. In the partial embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the other measurement spots are decimals such as 1.4, 2.2, 3.1, 3.6, 4.2, 4.4, and 5. The number indicia corresponding to each of the measurement spots  416  illustrated in the partial view embodiment of  FIG. 4  is the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle which can be established using the known geometric Pythagorean theorem equation a 2 +b 2 =c 2 , wherein the measurement spots in the first row across can be a, the measurement spots in the first column down can be b and the remaining measurement sports of the decimals can be c. Each decimal illustrated meets the Pythagorean theorem equation truncated to one decimal place. Therefore, the illustrated print number indicia corresponding to each measurement spot  416  represents a linear distance along the surface of the yoga mat from that measurement spot to the single starting point 0. 
     Mat  500  is an embodiment where each spot  416  is related to indicia  106  and indicia  108  positioned along the perimeter of mat  500 , but designed without horizontal lines  102  and vertical lines  104 . 
     Any Exercise Yoga mat of the invention is contemplated constructed in many varieties, the material for Exercise Yoga mat  100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500  the numbers and letters sequencing, the space between the lines indicia, the thickness of the lines indicia, spot markings at each line indicia intersection, spot markings at center of each indicia, yoga mat  100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500  with a single graph axis direction, embroidered mat instead of printed, on a towel, on a device that can be attached or sealed or printed or taped on to any kind of Exercise Yoga mat, regardless of material thickness or general makeup of the Exercise Yoga mat, on floor in a gym, an item with measurements for exercise measurement and form, can be used for any sport that entails both body placement and/or form, (kickboxing, martial arts), round Exercise Yoga mats, various mat shapes, various mat sizes, thickness and shapes, diagonal lines, linear distances indicia  120 , indicia commonly found on a ruler, equal graph lines indicia. The material used for the mat will be any flexible material, for example such as bamboo, rubber, foam, PVC, eco-friendly. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.