Is yoga usually done on a hardwood (basketball court like) floor or on carpet, which is better? Is there any difference or feel in comfort of your feet on different floors?
I know mats are used in many classes but some classes practice different settings to adjust to teach different surroundings
Most studios I have attended use either hardwood or laminate flooring. I have been to one that was carpeted, and was a little grossed out frankly. Yoga mats are used to prevent slipping, and establish the confines of the individual practice.
Asana can be done on any floor however some flooring is more conducive to the practice than others. (Yoga is what you do in your living therefore a flooring question isn’t relevant to Yoga).
Classically (in the lineage in which I am trained) the practice was done on a very solid, hard floor with no mats whatsoever. Obviously things have changed.I prefer a nice hardwood floor upon which to place my sticky mat. Some practices use carpeting. I find carpeting to be less steady and also an unneeded additional buffer between myself and the earth, not to mention that most carpeting is constructed of toxic materials and chemicals that off-gas.
in the theory of energy, different substances transmit, disperse, distribute,and conduct, energy in different ways. concrete is something that supposedly drains energy where as wood is not. carpet, from what I understand will allow the energy to travel. static electricity. Personally i dont like walking on floors such as concrete, or tile, I would rather have on slippers or sandals. in kundahlini yoga they use a matt made out of an animal skin, I forget which one. they do this so the energy is cultivated inside us instead of leaving, but at times the practices do intentionally have the energy leave. Ideally, i would take a wood floor with a mat, or doing yoga outside on the earth, but we do the best with what we have when we have it.
best to you
brother Neil
Hardwood floors are pretty common for yoga since they provide a stable surface, but some people prefer carpet for a little extra cushioning. It really depends on personal preference and how much support your joints need. Mats help a lot, but the feel of the floor underneath still makes a difference. Some people look at Fifty Floor reviews to compare different flooring options before setting up a home yoga space. Testing out different surfaces can help figure out what feels best for your practice.