Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
YOGA MAT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a yoga mat that promotes a yoga practitioner's
ability to
warm their body prior to and during their yoga practice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A shortcoming in the increasingly popular yoga industry is the
inadequate
methods yoga practitioners have to sufficiently heat their bodies before and
during
practice, particularly when the ambient temperature of their practice area is
low. That is,
many practitioners begin their practice by lying on their backs for several
minutes at the
start of their practice to calm and control their breathing prior to
commencing their
practice. During this time, in a warm room their bodies' naturally begin to
warm. Normally
after several minutes of relaxation, the practitioner will actively start
their practice.
[0003] In order to assist the rapid warming of the body, many yoga studios
maintain a
room temperature of 84 F+ primarily to promote rapid body heating. However,
many
yoga classes also take places in environments that do not maintain these
higher
temperatures, such as gyms, recreation centers and physio-therapists offices.
In these
locations, some practitioners may find it difficult to acquire rapid body
heating to quickly
obtain the internal body temperature that promotes the deepening of particular
yoga
stretches or the relaxation state. Similarly, for those who practice at home,
most
practitioners do not have spaces where a high room temperatures can be rapidly
achieved.
[0004] Further still, during a yoga practice session, there are often
particular stretches or
postures that a class may be following that are uncomfortable due to excess
pressure to
a particular joint or area of the body. For example, in many people, the knees
can be
particularly sensitive to pressure. As a result, during such postures, many
practitioners
may choose or require some form of additional padding beyond a thin yoga mat
to
minimize the discomfort during such a posture. One solution that practitioners
choose in
-1-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
order to address this issue is doubling over their mat under their knees to
provide
additional padding. Others may choose to use a secondary mat or blanket to
provide the
additional cushioning. While both solutions may be effective, practitioners do
not know
whether additional cushioning may be required in a particular class and as a
result, it is
often disruptive to a class when practitioners are moving about the studio to
retrieve
additional padding that may located in other locations in the studio.
[0005] Further still, different practitioners will also choose to use to
varying degrees,
various props that may assist them in holding a posture with proper alignment
to
promote stretching a particular part of the body. For example, various hip or
pelvic
stretches may be benefited if the practitioner uses a prop to support one side
of their
pelvis during a specific posture. Again, the use of blankets or foam or wooden
blocks,
may be used to provide this support which may or may not be available in a
particular
studio or practice area.
[0006] Further still, at the end of a practice, many practitioners will
complete their
session with a relaxation posture where they lie quietly on their mat to close
their
practice. For most people during this relaxation posture, it is desired to
maintain a warm,
but not excessive body temperature. Similarly, it is desired to minimize
excessive cooling
during relaxation. To address this problem, many studios will supply blankets
that the
practitioner will place over them during relaxation.
[0007] As a result of the foregoing, there has been a need for a yoga mat
system that
addresses the above. In particular, there has been a need for a yoga mat that
promotes
the rapid heating of the body at the beginning of a practice. More
specifically, there has
been a need for a yoga mat having an internal heat source that allows heat to
radiate to
a practitioner primarily at the beginning of their practice to promote the
internal heating
of their bodies. In addition, there has been a need for a yoga mat system that
can be
used as a prop during practice as well as a need for a yoga mat system that
may assist
the practitioner with relaxation at the end of their practice.
[0008] A review of the prior art reveals that the above has not been
addressed.
(0009] For example, US Publication 2007/0198070 describes a foam pad with
having far
infra-red generating properties, said properties being derived from fine
particles mixed
-2-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
into or otherwise formed as part of the foam pad. The materials may be
specific stone
powders.
[0010] Other references include US Publication 2004/0250346 which describes an
anti-
slip yoga mat including multiple layers of different materials including
fabric and foam;
US Publication 2004/0229535 which describes an anti-slide mat that
incorporates layers
of both absorbent and non-slip materials; and, US Patent 7,074,166 which
describes an
exercise apparatus having at least three inflatable cells specifically for
providing support
for the lower back for treating back pain through stretching and/or heating or
cooling with
heating elements that can include gel packs.
[0011 ] US Publication 2007/0277312 describes an electrically heated sleeping
mat for
camping that embeds electrical heating elements into an inflatable body. This
system
includes a compressible inner mat which may be an open cell foam (specifically
to allow
air to be driven from the inner mat), and electrical heating elements.
[0012] Other references such as US Publication 2005/0271857 describe a
therapeutic
sports towel having the ability to hold a cooling pack. US Publication
2005/0071920
describes a towel to tote bag system that can include hot packs. US Patent
5,833,309
describes a heated child car seat. US Patent 5,528,779 describes an air-
cushioned
sleeping bag having an electrical heating element. US Patent 5,388,295
describes an
adjustable seat and back support pad and mattress that may include hot packs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In accordance with the invention, a yoga mat system is provided
comprising: a
top layer comprised of at least one moisture sealing layer, the top layer
having a
thickness and resilience suitable for enabling a person to conduct a yoga
practice, the
top layer having a topside and an underside; and a heating system operatively
connected to the underside for providing thermal heating to the top layer.
[0014] In various embodiments, the moisture sealing layer preferably includes
a closed
cell foam in sealing contact with the heating system as a moisture barrier
between the
heating system and the upper surface of the mat. The mat system may inciude a
second
-3-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
top layer operatively connected to the top of the moisture sealing layer to
provide
desired surface properties to the upper surface of the mat.
[0015] In one embodiment, the heating system is operatively contained within
an
intermediate layer having a plurality of channels for containing a passive or
active
heating system between a plurality of top layer supporting ridges. It is
preferred that the
top layer supporting ridges have sufficient rigidity and thickness to support
a yoga
practitioner's weight on the top layer without the practitioner contacting the
heating
system.
[0016] The heating system in one embodiment is an active heating system
comprising a
plurality of heating cables contained within the channels, the active heating
having a
power supply and thermostat and optional timer.
[0017] The system may also be provided with a base layer attached to the
underside of
the intermediate layer.
[0018] In one embodiment, the power supply is a battery and the battery is
operatively
contained within a foam or wooden block.
[0019] In another embodiment, the system includes at least one connection
system for
attaching a cloth accessory to the yoga mat.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, the heating system is a passive heating
system
comprising a plurality of thermal heating elements contained within the
channels.
[0021] In another embodiment, the top layer is removable from the intermediate
layer to
enable the removal of the thermal heating elements.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides a yoga mat
kit
comprising a yoga mat as described above having a connection system and at
least one
cloth accessory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures
in which:
-4-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a yoga mat in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a yoga mat in accordance with
a
one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a combined battery and foam
support prop in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a yoga mat having gel pockets in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a yoga mat having gel pockets
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating system in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 6 is a schematic exploded cross sectional view of a layered yoga mat in
accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] With reference to the figures, various embodiments of a yoga mat system
having
an integral heating system are described.
[0025] In a first embodiment and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, a heated
yoga mat
system 10 is described. The system generally includes a top layer 12 and a
heating
system 14 on the underside of the top layer. The top layer is preferably a
closed cell
foam having a desired degree of cushioning, abrasion resistance/robustness and
surface tack to permit a practitioner to conduct their yoga practice on the
top surface of
the mat. The heating system may be any suitable active or passive heating
system as
will be described in greater detail below. In addition, the yoga mat may have
a number of
different structures in accordance with specific heating system utilized.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the heating system is an electrical heating
system
having one or more series of heating elements 16 configured to the underside
of the top
-5-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
layer 12. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the heating elements are
generally flat
metallic strips or small diameter wires so as to not impart a "lumpiness" to
the top layer
during use. The heating elements are connected to appropriate cables 18
passing
through appropriate channels to a thermostat 20 and a power supply 22. The
power
supply may be a battery and/or a cable and connector to an AC mains supply and
may
include a timer 24. In preferred embodiments, the AC mains supply may be used
to
directly charge the battery. In other embodiments, the heating system may be
powered
directly from the AC mains supply without a battery.
[0027] The structure of the top layer 12 and other layers may be varied in
accordance
with the specific underlying heating system used and the desired surface
properties of
the top layer 12. For example, in order to accommodate different heating
cables (for
example, round or flat), an intermediate supporting structure 26 may be
included to
ensure that the "feel" of the mat is similar to a standard unheated yoga mat.
In this case,
as shown in Figure 2, the intermediate supporting structure may include a
higher
density/resiliency foam that is less compressible than the top layer so as to
prevent
compression of the top layer substantially into the intermediate supporting
structure. As
a result, the heating elements 16 within the intermediate supporting structure
will not be
felt by the practitioner standing on the mat. Preferably, the intermediate
supporting
structure 26 will provide a series of narrow channels 28 that allow either a
round cable or
flat metal strips of the heating system to be inter-layered. The absolute
thickness of the
intermediate layer will be determined by the specific heating system and the
relative
densities of each layer. However, generally, it is preferred that the
selection of each
layer is made such that the overall structure of the mat enables the mat to be
rolled.
[0028] In addition, it may be required based on the heating elements selected
that
appropriate volumes of space be provided within the channels or at the end of
each
channel to allow a heating cable to move within the channel to allow the mat
to be rolled.
[0029] As shown in Figure 2, while not essential, the mat will preferably be
provided with
an underlayer 30 for sealing the heating cables within the channels 28. In
this case, it is
also preferred that this layer be a closed cell insulation to provide both
water protection
and heat transfer resiliency with the ground. This layer may be substantially
thinner than
either the intermediate or top layers.
-6-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
[0030] Suitable materials that may be used for the top layer as single layers
or multiple
layers include closed cell foam polyvinylchloride (PVC), open cell natural
rubber/latex,
thermal plastic elastomers (TPE), and polymer environmental resin (PER). These
materials may be modified to include high tack surfaces for grip, embedded
fabric mesh
for resiliency and surface texturing for comfort. Ideally, the top layer 12
will include at
least one water-resistant/proof layer (ie a closed cell foam or other sealing
layer ) to
minimize the risk of moisture primarily from perspiration contacting the
heating elements.
The top layer may also be comprised of multiple layers of materials to impart
desired
properties to the top layer. For example, a closed cell sealing layer may be
provided
immediately adjacent the intermediate layer with a different surface layer
having different
properties. The surface layer may also be removable from the sealing layer
using
fastening or attachment systems as described below.
[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the yoga mat system may also
be
provided with an attachment system for actively attaching other accessories
such as one
or more blankets 32 to the mat. For example, during both warm-up for a yoga
session or
relaxation at the end of the yoga session, the practitioner may choose to
attach a blanket
to their mat in order that the blanket can be readily wrapped around them at
the
beginning or end of their practice. Such blankets may be attached at any of
the top,
bottom or sides of the mat or a combination thereof. A combined mat and
blanket
ensures that the practitioner can conveniently travel with both as well as
enhancing the
heating efficiency of the invention by providing insulated air immediately
around the
practitioner when both the heating system and the blanket are being utilized.
[0032] In yet a further embodiment, the practitioner may also choose to
configure
different accessories to the yoga mat on different sides. For example, the
practitioner
may use a blanket on one side for use as a warming/insulation/cushioning aid
and a
cotton mat on the opposite side as an alternate mat surface. That is, some
practitioners
prefer to use different mat surfaces during different stages of their practice
depending on
whether a particular set of sequences of poses are predominantly standing or
sitting. In
this case, a practitioner may prefer to stand on a standard yoga mat surface
(ie closed
cell polymer) during standing poses but on a cotton surface during sitting
moves. By
having two surfaces available that can be readily substituted for one another
both can be
utilized. Further still, some practitioners may prefer to use one surface over
the other
-7-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
depending on the amount of sweat that they may be producing to take advantage
of the
absorbency of a cotton surface.
[0033] Any accessories may be removably configured to the yoga mat system by
any
conventional connection means including but not limited to snaps, Velcro,
zippers,
buttons, or the like. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 shows the accessories
attached
to the underside of the mat but it is understood that the point of attachment
may be on
any of the end, side, bottom or top surfaces of the mat system. Removability
is preferred
to enable any accessories to be washed.
[0034] With reference to Figure 3, one embodiment of a battery system is
shown. As
noted above, many practitioners may use a foam or wooden prop as part of their
practice. In this embodiment, a battery power supply is contained within a
hollowed foam
or wooden block 40. The block 40 includes a base 40a and a lid 40b having a
flange 40c
for containing the battery. Power cable 40d may extend through an appropriate
opening
to a connector 40e. Alternatively, the connector may be located on the base
40a.
[0035] In this embodiment, the practitioner may use the power supply at the
start of their
practice and then unplug the power supply thus using the hollowed block 40 as
a prop
for the remainder of their practice.
[0036] With reference to Figures 4 and 4a, an alternate embodiment of the yoga
mat
system is described in which passive heating elements may be incorporated into
the
mat. In this case, the intermediate layer is configured to contain
compartments 50 for
retaining passive thermal elements 52 such as gel packs. In this embodiment,
as those
described above, the structure of the intermediate layer must provide an
appropriate
balance between the feel of the mat and strength by the positioning, size and
location of
the supporting structures 54 and compartments 50. For example, the
compartments may
be generally square as shown in Figure 4 or may be long and narrow (not
shown).
[0037] Generally, for this type of yoga mat, the passive thermal elements will
be heated
within the yoga mat or heated outside of the yoga mat (eg. in a microwave) and
placed
inside the mat when required. Accordingly, in a further embodiment, the top
layer 12
may be removed from the intermediate layer to insert the passive heating
elements. In
this case, a connection system 56, 56a such as Velcro may be utilized to allow
the top
layer to be secured to the intermediate layer. The specific heating element
selected may
-8-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
include gel packs, thermal tiles and other forms of materials having an
acceptable
thermal mass. The passive heating elements may also be actively heated by an
active
heating system incorporated beneath the gel pack.
[0038] As shown in Figure 5, a yoga mat having passive heating elements may be
combined with an active heater into which a rolled or folded mat may be
inserted to heat
the passive heating elements. An example of an active heater may be an
insulated
cylindrical body 62 with a base 64 and lid 66. The base may include an
appropriate
heating element 68 for connection to a power supply. In this embodiment, the
yoga mat
system may be sold in a kit form.
[0039] With reference to Figure 6, additional layers may be incorporated into
the system
such as a reflective foil layer 70 to minimize heat transfer to the ground
and/or a heat
dissipative layer 72 to assist in even heating of the top layer.
[0040] The mat may be used in other applications as well such as:
= a stretching/warm-up mat for athletes before a competition, match, game,
race
etc, or to stay warm between times being active (for example, gymnasts at a
competition, football, baseball, or soccer players while on the bench,
triathletes
or marathon racers after warm up, before their start time in the cold early
morning);
= a cool down mat used after competition or race, enable the athlete to warm
down
without cooling down too quickly;
= as a physiotherapy aid when stretching or exercising sensitive injured areas
of
the body;
= as a heated camping mattress when camping in the cold or winter camping and
a
power supply/source is available;
= within the massage industry as an addition to the massage table to heat the
customer before or during the massage;
= as a car seat warmer.
-9-
CA 02659943 2009-03-25
[0041] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with
respect to
preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited
since
modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full,
intended scope
of the invention.
-10-
