Exercise mat ensemble and method of use

An exercise mat ensemble for use by participants in exercise regimens that involve a variety of floor exercises, said ensemble comprising:

• a padded rubberized rectangular mat having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• a soft absorbent fabric cover of the same shape as said mat and being at least one half inch longer than said mat on each of the four sides so as to completely conceal said mat on all four sides when placed thereon,
• whereby the ensemble may be used with the cover over the mat, the mat may be used alone, said cover being easily removed from the mat and just as easily replaced thereon as needed to perform the exercises, said cover may be folded or rolled at one end to form a cushion for certain of the exercises, the cover may be removed from the mat and placed over the participant as the participant lies on the mat for use as a meditation blanket, and the mat and cover with cover on top may be rolled together from their distal ends so that the upper face of the cover is completely concealed within the roll and the roll may be transported and stored.

A method of performing a series of exercises and positions on a flat horizontal surface, said method comprising;

• obtaining a padded rubberized rectangular mat having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, a proximal end and a distal end;
• obtaining a soft absorbent fabric cover of the same shape as said mat and being at least one half inch longer than said mat on each of the four sides so as to completely conceal said mat when placed thereon;
• placing the mat on the flat horizontal surface;
• performing exercises and positions upon said mat;
• placing the cover over the mat so that the mat is completely concealed thereunder;
• performing exercises and positions upon said cover;
• folding a portion of the cover back and upon itself to form a cushion at the proximal end;
• performing exercises and positions upon said cover utilizing said cushion;
• unfolding the folded portion of the cover and rolling a portion of the cover from the proximal end to form a bolster;
• performing exercises and positions upon said cover utilizing said bolster;
• unrolling said bolster so that the cover completely conceals the mat thereunder;
• turning back the cover, reclining on the mat and bringing the cover over a body such that the cover is used as a meditation blanket;
• rising and replacing the cover over the mat;
• rolling the cover and mat together from their distal ends until completely rolled and the upper surface of the cover is completely enclosed within the roll;
• transporting the cover and mat to a place of storage;
• and
• storing the cover and mat.

An exercise mat cover ensemble for use with a padded rubberized rectangular mat having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, said ensemble and mat for use by participants in exercise regimens that involve a variety of floor exercises and said ensemble comprising:

• a soft absorbent fabric cover of the same shape as the mat and being at least one half inch longer than said mat on each of three sides and being substantially longer than one half inch on the fourth proximal transverse side, said cover to completely conceal the mat on all four sides when placed thereon, and
• a non-elastic strap having two ends and being substantially longer than twice the width of the cover;
• whereby the cover may be used atop the mat and the mat may be used alone, said cover being easily removed from the mat and just as easily replaced thereon as needed to perform the exercises, the proximal end of the cover may be rolled or folded to provide additional cushioning for certain of the exercises, the strap may be used to assist in certain of the exercises, and the cover may be placed on top of the mat so that the mat is completely concealed thereunder with the strap placed across the distal transverse end of the cover and the cover and mat may be rolled together from the distal ends so that the strap projects from both sides of the resulting roll, the longer end of said cover overlaying the mat so that the mat is completely enclosed, and the ends of the strap may be connected for ease of transport and storage.