YOGA MAT

Abstract

Presented is a yoga exercise mat for use when performing yoga poses, or other floor exercises utilizing various disciplines. Words are presented on the mat surface which bring to the user an inspirational message, which is achieved by reading the inspirational indicia, thinking it, or just by seeing it. The mat is elliptical in shape to convey a sense of harmony, flow, and balance, and has a color which is a soothing and mood altering color.

Description

PRIORITY/CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/170,503, filed Apr. 17, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to the field of exercise mats. Particular embodiments relate to yoga mats, ti chi mats, and qi Gong mats.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of mats which are available which are utilized by people in doing a number of different exercises. Some of these mats can be used with a number of exercise disciplines; one example of these is palates which includes a number of exercises dominated by core body exercises. Other exercise types can be practiced on exercise mats, such as the exercise disciplines of yoga, ti chi, qi Gong, or simply stretching and floor exercises.

There are a number of mats available for practitioners to use in these disciplines, with almost all of them being rectangular in shape, and being made of a material which provides a degree of cushioning over a hard floor.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The Western style of technology is based on the scientific method, and formulating theories and hypotheses which correlate with observed facts. Western technology such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and microbiology are all examples of western sciences based on theories and hypotheses which are based on the scientific method.

Technology is not necessarily based on the scientific method. Technology is rooted in the practice of people in performing a skill or craft, and techniques and methods may be thus refined and perfected without a theoretical understanding of why the technology works. Steel was originally made by people who knew that certain steps added to a process would change the outcome of the product, but they had no idea that carbon was involved and that different percentages of carbon cause different characteristics in the steel.

Many practices in the Eastern style or philosophy of technology are technologies which are practiced with success, while being hard to explain in a western vocabulary of science. The present invention is such a device which is rooted in the Eastern tradition of science, in which methods are utilized without a complete explanation in terms of Western science.

Masaru Emoto is a Japanese author and philosopher known for his claim that water droplets can be altered by human speech, thoughts or words, resulting in water crystals which may be beautiful or ugly depending upon whether the words or thoughts were positive or negative. Emoto claims this can be achieved through prayer, music or by attaching written words to a container of water. Dr. Emoto had a brilliant discovery of how words, especially positive words, affect water molecules. If positive words can affect liquid in such a powerful way, what affect would they have on the human body that is made of over 70% water?

The present invention is an application of that theory, that words can have a positive effect on water, and can have a positive effect on a human being made mostly of water.

Words have such tremendous power, spoken and unspoken. It has been tested and proven time and again, that when we think or speak positively or think negatively, that level of vibration from the words affects ones physical and mental well being, as well as ones health and attitude. With this knowledge and truth, one has the benefit of choosing how to act, react and how to feel. So in essence, as positive words with high vibration enhance and raise the level of vibration in our human bodies, then molecular healing can take place both physically and mentally. Ones outlook or attitude is elevated—feelings of happiness, joy, peace, relaxation, and clarity can be experienced and serotonin levels are enhanced. The same is true for negative or low vibrational words and thoughts. We become what we think.

As one claims a belief in the affirmative words, one becomes more of that claim. For example stating the words, “I am healthy” or “I am peaceful” or “I am compassionate”, and then accepting them as truth, enables one to move into a more sustainable and powerful mindset. Whether this is due to Dr. Emoto's theory, through some unknown response pathway in the human brain, due to a subconscious level nuereopathway, the inventor does not know, but we know that it works and present this theory as to why it works.

For those in rehabilitation from a physical ailment or with terminal illness, or even drug and alcohol rehab, the selection of these positive words has potential to provide a mechanism to increase the healing rate and physical feelings of the body, less stress, etc. This process alone elevates ones attitude, outlook, lowers stress, and many other attributes, and results in the natural consequence of becoming more enlightened from within.

With positive words and thoughts in mind, the yoga mat of the invention further assists one's reconnection with body and mind. The mat is elliptical in shape because the oval form is very complimentary to the human body. The elliptical form of the mat conveys a different message to the user than when using a rectangular mat. The ellipse is organic in nature, unlike most mats that are square edged and rectangular, with softer edges—curved and flowing. The shape is vital to the enhanced experience of the mat as its rounded nature keeps the positive energy flowing around the mat. This unique shape and size also allows the body to remain completely on the mat during all stages of activity, such as yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or other non exercise related options such as resting, reading, or watching TV . . . no matter the activity, one still receives all the same benefits! In many of these disciplines, certain forms are utilized which result in part of the user's body extending over the sides of a rectangular mat. These include the yoga poses child's pose, side stretch in savasana, savasana, and other poses.

The colors of the mat are yet another integral element of the product. One side relates to the second chakra of “Spirituality”, with indigo or purple as its relative color. It represents one's connection with intuition, inspiration, trust, and creativity. The other side relates to the sixth chakra of “balancing”, with clay or orange as its relative color. It represents one's connection with calm, forgiveness, generosity, and gratefulness.

With the connection of all of these powerful elements working together, the product assists in achieving ultimate bliss, or at least improved and enhanced spirituality. Each colored side compliments the positive healing and life changing words one may be focusing their vibrational energy towards. The shape mimics the organic nature of the human body and the thickness is just enough to add comfort. The size is designed with more attention to human scale and allowing the body to reside completely on the mat during activities. The material is as sustainable and eco-friendly as it is non-toxic and biodegradable.

As one is using the mat, whether in yoga or other activities, the intent is to concentrate on a word that resonates within the body and then to focus on its meaning. As one focuses, the mind is brought back into the present moment, and not on one's “to do” list or stress of the day, but to the positive nature of the word. Ultimately, the words can become a personal mantra for one's practice and daily life. Saying or reading the words “I am peaceful,” “I am grounded,” “I Am Intuitive” or “I am intuitive” thus has resulting spiritual benefits, mood improvement, and changes which are measureable even in terms of Western technology.

The purpose of the Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way. Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is view of a first side of a yoga mat of the invention.

FIG. 2 is view of a second side of a yoga mat of the invention

FIG. 3 is view of a first side of a yoga mat of the invention.

FIG. 4 is view of a first side of a yoga mat of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept is shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 shows one side of one version of a yoga practice mat of the invention. The yoga practice mat includes an elliptical shaped mat body which is made of a cushioning material such as foam product. The preferred material is a thermal plastic elastomer, which is preferable because it is a sustainable, biodegradable and non-toxic material. Other materials with similar properties would also be suitable for the mat body 12. The mat body is in the shape of an ellipse or oval, in a width of 30 inches and a length of 72 inches, and a thickness of 0.25 inches.

The mat has a first side 14 and a second side 16, and a mat periphery 18. The mat also has a longitudinal axis which is shown by arrow L, and a lateral axis which is shown by arrow L-1. The mat is approximately twice as long as it is wide, and in the version shown in the figures is more than twice as long as it is wide.

The mat preferably has the first side 14 in a first color 24. Similarly, a second side 16 is preferably covered by a second color 26. A mat which has one color for both sides is also possible, but a bi-color mat as described above is preferable.

The first and second color are selected to be mood altering colors.

It is known to use colors for therapy, and it is known that some colors affect a person's mood. This general principle has been utilized for decades in mental institutions where the color of walls, floors and furniture are carefully chosen to be in a mood which generally tends to soothe patients. This concept is known as chromotherapy, and is also used by alternative health practitioners as a way to balance energy to positively affect body in a physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental state. Such practitioners may combine the therapeutic use of color with other techniques such as hydrotherapy and aromatherapy to heighten the therapeutic effect.

The type and quantity of color has been proven to have a tremendous effect on people's mental condition. If insufficient light of a certain wave length is not provided, many people suffer each winter from a mild depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts upon the brain and upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to specific colors can alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance, and glandular functions in the body. They can also affect how a person feels on a day-to-day basis. Careful combinations of color in a product such as a yoga practice mat thus utilize this proven technology to use color to enhance a person's spirit, improve their health, and expand their consciousness.

Chromotherapy is using an alternative health practitioner to balance energy in a person's body, and to have an effect which is physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. Some alternative health practitioners use the concept of a person's aura as a way to deal with the use of colors for therapy. Such a practitioner looks for the colors of a person's aura for the purpose of clearing and re-balancing a person's energy field. Knowing what colors are in a person's aura allows the health care practitioner to understand what therapies are best for that patient at the time. It has been shown that different colors can affect the pituitary gland which helps regulate hormone production. Hormones can affect a person's mood, so it makes sense that color, through a patient's brain and through glands such as the pituitary gland and through the autonomic nervous system can also affect mood.

Purple is a color which is particularly relevant to alternative health care practitioners. Purple is the traditional symbol of royalty and wealth, and also represents wisdom and spirituality. When found in nature, which is rare, it can appear exotic or artificial. It is found that purple is an effective mood altering color and its use for one or both side of the yoga practice mat is desirable.

The color orange is a combination of the primary colors red and yellow and is considered an energetic color. Orange calls to mind feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth. It is considered a warm color like red but less warm than red. Orange expresses energy. It has luminous qualities and has been used for attention getting purposes, such as caution signs. Orange also has an association with things in nature such as fall leaves, pumpkins, and Halloween. It symbolizes balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrance, flamboyancy, and is demanding of attention. Orange has also been found to be an effective mood altering color, and its use as a color for one or both sides of the yoga exercise mat has been found to be effective.

Green is a color which is widely found in nature. It is considered to have the mood altering effects of the restful, soothing, cheerful, and health giving. Green is a color that is commonly associated with healing, as is yellow. Yellow can give a sun ray of hope or offer optimism. Brown is also effective at calming and helps to create a connection to earth energies. Green is a cool color (as opposed to a hot color) that symbolizes nature and the natural world. It also represents tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy. It has been found that green can improve reading ability and some students place a transparent sheet of green paper over their reading material to increase reading speed and comprehension. Green has long been a symbol of fertility, and was once the preferred color of choice for wedding gowns in the fifteenth century. Green is often used in decorating for its calming effect and was one of the early mood altering colors that was utilized in mental institutions as green colored walls. Green is thought to relieve stress and help heal. Those who work in a green environment experience fewer stomach aches.

The mat includes a first line of indicia, with the first line containing words or symbols of an inspirational nature. These inspirational indicia are selected from a set of inspirational indicia. They are positioned in an elliptical path, complimentary to the elliptical shape of the mat periphery. The first side of the mat has a first line of inspirational indicia 28 and the second side 16 of the mat has a second line 30 of inspirational indicia. As noted in the summary, these words are selected for the positive effect they have on people. Merely by being read, visualized, contemplated, or spoken.

The inspirational indicia are preferably selected from the group of words which have been found to have a positive effect on a patient. This group of words: serenity, joy, courage, generosity, unconditional love, reflection, passion, harmony, peace, calmness, grace, happiness, nature, selflessness, respect, connection, consciousness, faith, focus, kindness, freedom, clarity, release, flow, gratitude, balance, confidence, strength, simplicity, wisdom, desire, tranquility, purpose, intention, kindness, inspiration, bliss, serenity, trust, intuition, liberty, abundance, prosperity, enlightenment, solitude, stillness, clarity, receive, healing, creativity, spirituality, compassion, freedom, solitude, generous, loving, passionage, forgiving, peaceful, graceful, balanced, happy, serene, joyful, courageous, grateful, calm, confident, strong, inspired, blissful, serene, trusting, faithful, open, healed, creative, harmonious, intuitive, purposeful, passionate, spiritual, compassionate, free, liberated, abundant, still, prosperous, enlightened, silent, calm, wise, tranquil, kind, inspired, blissful, serene, trusting, faithful, open, healed, creative, harmonious, intuitive, purposeful, confident, simplistic, respectful, connected, conscious, balanced.

Another version of the yoga mat of the invention includes a third line 32 of inspirational indicia which is positioned adjacent to the first line 28, and formed in an ellipse which is consistent with the ellipse of the mat periphery 18. The third line of inspirational indicia 32 is positioned further from the mat periphery 18 than the first line of the inspirational indicia. Similarly, a second side 16 may have a fourth line of inspirational indicia 34, similarly formed in an ellipse and consistent with the mat periphery 18 and further from the mat periphery 18 than the second line 30 of inspirational indicia.

There are a number of ways in which the inspirational indicia may be placed on the mat body 12. This includes a process called debossing, and any suitable printing type process would also work. This could include silk screening, or other conventional printing technologies.

FIG. 1 shows the first side 14 of one version of the yoga mat of the invention. FIG. 2 shows the second side 16 of that same version, each with two lines of inspirational indicia.

Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a second preferred embodiment of the invention, with similar inspirational indicia with a similar placement but with a different use of words. Shown in all four figures is a centrally located indicia 36. This centrally located indicia 36 may be another inspirational indicia and, given its central position, may be the most powerful and important of any of the inspirational indicias. FIGS. 3 and 4 also show a centerline indicia 38 which may provide a centering function to the user. Obviously, being exactly centered on the mat is not critical, and obviously a user can easily find the approximate center of the mat. Having a centerline indicia may still be of some value to users of the mat to help them visualize the longitudinal axis 20 of the mat, and to assist them to properly align and position themselves for certain yoga poses.

While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in Figures and in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mat for yoga practice, comprising:

an elliptical shaped mat body made of a cushioning material, with a first side and a second side which are joined at a mat periphery, and with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;

a first line of indicia containing inspirational indicia on said first side, with said indicia selected from a set of inspirational indicia, with said indicia positioned in an elliptical path complimentary to the elliptical shape of said mat periphery; and

a second line of indicia located on said second side of said mat, with said indicia selected from a set of inspirational indicia, positioned in an oval path complimentary with the elliptical shape of said mat periphery

2. The yoga mat of claim 1 which further comprises a third line of indicia located on said first side, comprised of inspirational indicia, with said third line of indicia positioned in an oval path complimentary with the oval of said mat periphery; and further from said periphery of said mat than said first line of indicia; and

a fourth line of indicia located on said second side, comprised of inspirational indicia, with said fourth line of indicia positioned in an oval path complimentary with the oval of said mat periphery; and further from said periphery of said mat than said second line of indicia.

3. The mat for yoga practice of claim 1 in which said set of inspirational indicia comprises words selected from the group consisting of serenity, joy, courage, generosity, unconditional love, reflection, passion, harmony, peace, calmness, grace, happiness, nature, selflessness, respect, connection, consciousness, faith, focus, kindness, freedom, clarity, release, flow, gratitude, balance, confidence, strength, simplicity, wisdom, desire, tranquility, purpose, intention, kindness, inspiration, bliss, serenity, trust, intuition, liberty, abundance, prosperity, enlightenment, solitude, stillness, clarity, receive, healing, creativity, spirituality, compassion, freedom, solitude, generous, loving, passionage, forgiving, peaceful, graceful, balanced, happy, serene, joyful, courageous, grateful, calm, confident, strong, inspired, blissful, serene, trusting, faithful, open, healed, creative, harmonious, intuitive, purposeful, passionate, spiritual, compassionate, free, liberated, abundant, still, prosperous, enlightened, silent, calm, wise, tranquil, kind, inspired, blissful, serene, trusting, faithful, open, healed, creative, harmonious, intuitive, purposeful, confident, simplistic, respectful, connected, conscious, balanced.

4. The mat for yoga practice of claim 1 which further comprises said mat body to be colored a mood enhancing color.

5. The mat for yoga practice of claim 4, which further comprises a different mood enhancing color for said first side and said second side.

6. The mat for yoga practice of claim 1 which further comprises a first centrally located indicia on said mat first side, and a second centrally located indicia on said mat second side.

7. A mat for yoga practice, comprising:

an elliptical shaped mat body made of a cushioning material, with a first side and a second side which are joined at a mat periphery, and with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;

a first line of indicia containing inspirational indicia on said first side, with said indicia selected from a set of inspirational indicia, with said indicia positioned in an elliptical path complimentary to the elliptical shape of said mat periphery;

a second line of indicia located on said second side of said mat, with said indicia selected from a set of inspirational indicia, positioned in an oval path complimentary with the elliptical shape of said mat periphery;

a third line of indicia located on said first side, comprised of inspirational indicia, with said third line of indicia positioned in an oval path complimentary with the oval of said mat periphery; and further from said periphery of said mat than said first line of indicia; and

a fourth line of indicia located on said second side, comprised of inspirational indicia, with said fourth line of indicia positioned in an oval path complimentary with the oval of said mat periphery; and further from said periphery of said mat than said second line of indicia.

8. The mat for yoga practice of claim 7 in which said set of inspirational indicia comprises words selected from the group consisting of serenity, joy, courage, generosity, uncondition, love, reflection, passion, harmony, peace, calmness, grace, happiness, nature, selflessness, respect, connection, consciousness, faith, focus, kindness, freedom, clarity, release, flow, gratitude, balance, confidence, strength, simplicity, wisdom, desire, tranquility, purpose, intention, kindness, inspiration, bliss, serenity, trust, intuition, liberty, abundance, prosperity, enlightenment, solitude, stillness, clarity, receive, healing, creativity, spirituality, compassion, freedom, solitude, generous, loving, passionage, forgiving, peaceful, graceful, balanced, happy, serene, joyful, courageous, grateful, calm, confident, strong, inspired, blissful, serene, trusting, faithful, open, healed, creative, harmonious, intuitive, purposeful, passionate, spiritual, compassionate, free, liberated, abundant, still, prosperous, enlightened, silent, calm, wise, tranquil, kind, inspired, blissful, serene, trusting, faithful, open, healed, creative, harmonious, intuitive, purposeful. confident, simplistic, respectful, connected, conscious, balanced, and content.

9. The mat for yoga practice of claim 7 which further comprises said mat body to be colored a mood enhancing color.

10. The mat for yoga practice of claim 9, which further comprises a different mood enhancing color for said first side and said second side.

11. The mat for yoga practice of claim 7 which further comprises a first centrally located indicia on said mat first side, and a second centrally located indicia on said mat second side.

12. The mat for yoga practice of claim 7 which further comprises a center line indicia, on at least one side of the mat body, along the longitudinal axis of the mat.