Tio Mat

Abstract

A yoga and exercise mat with different levels of thickness/padding along its width. The mat helps align user, provides foundation, gives user extra padding, and folds and rolls up in several new, unique ways. The raised edges and central strip of this new mat prevent slipping and provide user with guidance on proper alignment and foot and hand placement and distance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/070,187, filed Aug. 18, 2014, titled “Tiomat,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Description

FIG. 1 shows a side and a side-angle view illustrating a single version of the many possible dimensions, i.e. thickness, width and length of present invention.

Technical Field

The present invention deals with yoga mats which are extensively used by those engaged in yoga. The present invention provides a unique, convenient structural arrangement making such mats much more user-friendly and easier to transport than those which have previously existed.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Yoga has always been a popular exercise for many generations and is now practiced by millions of people worldwide. Almost every person brings their own yoga mat to class. Today they have to choose between purchasing either a thicker, heavier mat for padding, or lighter thinner mats for foundation work. Carrying two mats is prohibitively cumbersome to the typical yoga practitioner, but there are times during yoga practice when both thick and thin mats have particular benefits that are enhanced, especially in combination. The present invention solves these issues and realizes those benefits by combining both a thick and thin yoga mat, which not only offers the user unique padding alternatives, but also benefits the user in several other areas of yoga practice, such as: facilitating proper physical alignment of limbs and distancing of feet and hands, slip prevention, and improved storage convenience.

It is the objective of the present invention to provide yoga mats which are improved over those currently being employed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Applicant's present invention is a yoga mat that has three strips of increased padding, one at each edge of its width and the other spanning its central width, as shown in FIG. 1. These three areas are the most commonly used spaces on the mat where more padding is needed, i.e., where the wrists, hands, knees, elbows, hips and all other bony parts of the body support increased pressure. The ridges provide users increased comfort, thereby encouraging correct and consistent practice, and provide both visual and tactile cues for proper alignment, a fundamental challenge and goal of yoga practice. The unique placement, structure, and positioning of the present invention also prevent slipping that occurs during many poses, such as downward dog, upward dog, lunges, and especially when the user has been sweating.

Claims

1. A generally rectangular, one-piece yoga mat comprised of two (2) or more different thicknesses across the width of the yoga mat.

2. The thicker surfaces not only provide extra padding for users, but also assist users in achieving correct alignment and distancing during their practice, by providing helpful visual and tactile cues to keep their hands and feet at correct distances.

3. The mat's raised edges at each end of the mat prevent slipping.

4-9. (canceled)