Yoga mat

Abstract

Improvements on mats for practicing yoga are presented. The mats typically provide improved balance, stability, relief of joint and knee pain, and/or improved grip, among other advantages. One particular mat has an upper surface with protrusions, such as knobs, to provide a feeling of acupressure massage to the user. The mat may be continuous and rolled up for storage, or may be divided into sections and folded. A layer of foam may be provided for cushioning, and the foam may optionally be a memory foam. Alternative embodiments include a mat without the protrusions on the upper surface, a mat with cushioning that has an undulating or otherwise irregular surface, and a mat that has no central foam but which is made of a single material.

1 . An exercise mat for yoga comprising: 
 a lower non-slip layer;    a middle cushion layer; and    an upper layer having a plurality of knobs on the outer surface of the upper layer, to provide acupressure support to a user;    wherein the lower and upper layers are interconnected to encompass the middle cushion layer.    
     
     
         2 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the middle cushion layer comprises foam.  
     
     
         3 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the middle cushion layer comprises memory foam.  
     
     
         4 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the upper layer is molded rubber.  
     
     
         5 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the knobs are integral to the upper layer.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the knobs are separately attached to the upper layer.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the knobs comprise metal.  
     
     
         8 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise mat has sections.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 8 , wherein sections are divided by seams.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 1 , wherein the seams are sewn.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise mat for yoga comprising: 
 a lower non-slip layer;    a middle cushion layer; and    an upper layer;    wherein the upper and lower layers are interconnected to encompass the middle cushion layer; and    wherein the middle cushion layer comprises memory foam and the exercise mat has foldable sections.    
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 11 , wherein the upper layer comprises knobs.  
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 11 , wherein the middle cushion layer has a patterned upper surface.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 15 , wherein the middle cushion layer has an egg crate upper surface.  
     
     
         17 . An exercise mat for yoga comprising: 
 a lower non-slip layer;    at least one middle cushion layer; and    an upper layer having a plurality of integral knobs on the outer surface of the upper layer, to provide acupressure support to a user;    wherein the upper and lower layers are interconnected to encompass the middle cushion layer; and    wherein the exercise mat comprises foldable sections that can be folded together to fold the exercise mat.    
     
     
         18 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 17 , wherein the middle cushion layer comprises memory foam.  
     
     
         19 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 17 , wherein the upper layer is molded rubber.  
     
     
         20 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the lower and upper layers comprises latex.  
     
     
         21 . An exercise mat as described in  claim 17 , wherein the upper, middle and lower layers are formed from one, continuous piece of material.