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:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/571,091, filed Jun. 21, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    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&#39;s body positioning during the practice of yoga. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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 
       [0011]    An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel yoga mat which provides stability and cushioning to the practitioner. 
         [0012]    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&#39;s body positioning during the practice of yoga. 
         [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    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 
       [0020]    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 
         [0021]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective partial cutaway view of a typical yoga mat of the prior art; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a yoga mat of the present invention illustrating a first embodiment thereof with non-slip positioning pads; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a yoga mat of the present invention illustrating a second embodiment incorporating the non-slip positioning pads; 
           [0025]      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; 
           [0026]      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 
           [0027]      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 
       [0028]      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. 
         [0029]    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. 
         [0030]    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. 
         [0031]      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&#39;s height, arm length and reach, and leg length or inseam length. 
         [0032]    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. 
         [0033]      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. 
         [0034]      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. 
         [0035]    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. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]      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. 
         [0038]      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. 
         [0039]    It should be remembered that the practitioner obtains this pose and maintains this pose for a period of time in accordance with the instructor&#39;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. 
         [0040]    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.