Slippery Tatami

Hi all,

Our dojo just bought a set of new tatami mats. Although it looks really good, the tatami feels like ice when I move around on it. This does not seem to be a big problem for other members at the dojo but I can barely stand up on it! Will the tatami eventually get a little more sticky as it gets used? Is there something I can put on my feet before I train so I can get a little more grip? We used to train on wrestling mats so this was never a problem before.

Thanks

If they are like the zebra mats tatami, they will get less slippery as used. It will take a little time though, and the change from wrestling mats is a pretty big one, since they tend to give a lot of traction. The new Zebra mats at the first Aiki Expo were also very slippery, but they got a lot better as they were used throughout the expo.

Ron

Slippery is GOOD. Almost all our injuries come from our mats gripping. I have a nice sprained knee due to our gripping mats. I would be thankful for your slippery mats! Think of it as a good opportunity for ukemi waza. The mats should get better with time and abuse.

Hi Bryan:

The only mat related injuries I have had have been from gaps in the mats, and sticky mats (specifically wrestling mats). I did the splits with my big toe and the next door neighbour toe and put my weight down on it. My poor toe was not happy, but it was OK for the rest of the seminar as long as I taped my toes together. Other than a bit of mat burn, slippery mats haven't been a problem- and can add to the drama of ukemi sometimes!
e ya later
Jill

Too right; I have the same complaint as Jeremy. Our mats are just perfect; but going to a place with wrestling mats involves a double footload of seriously nervous piggies.
Bryan: If you're concerned about slipping on the mats; you could try putting a little talcum powder on the soles of your feet before stepping on. Not enough to leave a residue; just enough to control the sweat. Also; getting out of your shoes and walking around for about 10 minutes in bare feet prior to stepping on the mat helps a bit as well.

Cheers!

suriashi as part of your warmups can help on slippery mats too. I like them for ki-no-nagare practice, but for regular yoshinkan training, I tend to grip the mat with my toes a lot, so slippery is a little un-nerving. I usually hate canvas mats that aren't pulled real tight...I always end up with my right big toe jammed. Darn wrinkles...

On high traction surfaces (wearing sneakers, wrestling mats, etc.) I move the heel, knee, and hip as one unit...no knee problems that way. Actually I guess I try to do that all the time, but especially so on high traction surfaces...

Ron

Bryan Siekierko wrote: Our dojo just bought a set of new tatami mats. Although it looks really good, the tatami feels like ice when I move around on it. This does not seem to be a big problem for other members at the dojo but I can barely stand up on it!

Hi Bryan,

Do you have very dry feet, with a lot of dead skin build-up? This can often be the cause of a person slipping on the tatami when others don't. If that's the case, a bit of work with a pumice stone, and applying moisturiser to your feet at night will help get rid of one slippery surface!

If your feet are ok, then you'll just have to get used to working on the new surface

Ruth

Hi Brian;
A similar thing used to happen to me so I bought tabis. They are a sort of cotton socks, available in white or black. They prevent you from slipping either because of the tatami or because of sweat. It's a good solution. Hope it helps you.