Asivana Flux Cork Yoga Mat Assessment

Very like a brand new pair of climbing boots, some yoga mats aren’t prepared for large-scale challenges the day you purchase them. As a substitute, they require a break-in interval that may really feel just like the mat isn’t working for you initially. However when you put in a little bit of effort, it pays off with a mat that provides loads of grip for a breadth of sophistication sorts. 

Investing that point and power into getting the mat prepared for normal use will make the Asivana Flux Cork Yoga Mat a go-to selection. Very like climbing boots, a correctly seasoned mat will improve your consolation throughout completely different actions and make you extra assured in poses that require higher grip, like Downward-Dealing with Canine or Tree Pose.

In brief: The Asivana Flux Cork Yoga Mat ($90) is a part of a brand new wave of yoga mats that target sustainable supplies, and cork has confirmed to be a favourite. It’s not arduous to see why: Cork gives a gentle texture with out being too squishy. And when the mat is reversible, just like the Asivana, you have got extra choices for several types of courses. Cork presents some storage and transportation challenges since you may’t roll it up tightly. It’s a minor consideration in comparison with the benefits.

Learn the complete assessment or scope out the complete record of our prime yoga mats in the Finest Yoga Mats purchaser’s information.

Asivana Flux Cork Mat Assessment

Having taught yoga for the previous 15 years and brought common courses as a scholar throughout that point, I’ve used quite a few yoga mats, particularly in the beginning of my follow. At the moment, nearly all of mats had been made with supplies that weren’t precisely Earth-friendly and sometimes smelled of chemical substances even after repeated use. 

Due to that, it’s a reduction to see extra mats made with pure supplies like cork. In case your solely expertise of cork is pulling one out of a wine bottle, or having cork coasters to your drinks, it might sound shocking that this might be a bonus for a yoga mat. Nevertheless, cork supplies a gentle texture that may be sustainably sourced, which is the case with the Asivana Flux Cork Mat. 

Though it may be liable to cracking if not saved correctly, cork can be sturdy in addition to engaging. For instance, the Asivana mat is a soothing mild brown shade that feels extra grounding because of its pure supplies. 

Grip

After the preliminary break-in interval, this yoga mat has a formidable quantity of grip. The corporate suggests gently misting the mat with water earlier than utilization as a method to enhance grip high quality. I attempted this just a few instances, after which did courses the place I didn’t mist to see the distinction.

It’s true that the mist helps, however to not a dramatic diploma, so when you don’t have entry to a mister otherwise you simply don’t like a barely damp mat, you may skip that step and nonetheless get the grip you want.

Materials 

Along with sustainably sourced cork, the Asivana Flux Cork Yoga Mat has pure rubber on the other facet, additionally harvested and manufactured with sustainability in thoughts. Having a reversible mat is at all times a pleasant choice as a result of it extends the lifetime of the mat, and supplies extra choices for a category.

For example, I flipped over to the rubber facet when doing courses with loads of ground work — like planks, facet planks, and upward-facing canine — as a result of the rubber appeared to have higher cushioning for my wrists.

Size & Thickness

The usual measurement for a yoga mat is 68 inches lengthy by 24 inches extensive, and this mat is just barely longer than this, by 4 inches. That’s useful for individuals who could also be a bit taller, or who don’t like the feeling of their ft hanging off the tip of a mat whereas mendacity down.

The mat’s thickness is pretty customary at 5mm, which supplies it a pleasant quantity of cushioning with out feeling squishy. That consolation extends to each side of the mat. So whether or not I used to be training with the cork facet up or on the rubber facet, I nonetheless felt like my wrists and knees had sufficient assist.

Portability

Though the Asivana Flux Cork Mat is 7 kilos, it seems like extra. The mat may be very dense, which is what makes it comfy while you’re in a category or an outside setting, however that density comes on account of weight.

If you happen to’re solely carrying the mat briefly from one place to a different, that is seemingly not a lot of a problem. Nevertheless, it’s not a good selection as a journey mat, or even when you need to stroll greater than a few blocks to class.

Cleansing

To take care of the lifetime of the mat, most want cleansing after every use. You are able to do this by wiping it down with a moist fabric and hanging it as much as dry or by utilizing a nonscented, gentle cleaning soap combined with water and washing it down that method. Nevertheless, cork mats just like the Asivana Yoga Mat are antimicrobial, which implies they don’t must be cleaned as usually as different sorts of mats.

That makes it handy when you’re not inclined to remain on prime of mat cleansing, however you do should be somewhat extra cautious while you do clear it. Primarily, you need to lay the mat out to permit it to dry utterly earlier than you roll it up.

Additionally, when it’s dry and also you’re able to retailer the mat, it’s good to ensure the cork facet is dealing with outward — this prevents the cork from cracking or creasing, which might impression the mat’s longevity.

Sturdiness

After utilizing the Asivana Flux Cork Yoga Mat two to 3 instances weekly for just a few months, the mat stored its form and texture properly. That was true even after a number of scorching yoga courses the place sweat was concerned. 

Critiques

With an extended break-in interval than another sorts of mats, the Asivana Cork Yoga Mat does appear to require extra effort normally for preliminary use. Additionally, the lack to roll the mat tightly or have the cork on the within is usually a problem when you’re searching for extra portability otherwise you simply need to throw this mat in your automotive and overlook about it till the following class.

The one different notable critique is the load. Though it’s a cushty mat because of its thickness, this isn’t a mat you carry for longer distances — it’s extra of a car-to-class choice.

Asivana Flux Cork Mat Assessment: Conclusion

General, the Asivana Cork Yoga Mat reviewed right here is a lovely, sturdy, and cozy mat appropriate for all kinds of courses.

The design is especially good for warm yoga because of its antimicrobial floor. Nevertheless, the thickness of the mat and the softness of the cork make it a pleasant selection for different sorts of courses as properly.

The Asivana Cork mat might take a bit extra effort to interrupt in and retailer correctly in comparison with mats manufactured from different sorts of supplies, nevertheless it’s well worth the funding of your time and power.