Although Mexican blankets or Saltillo serapes that were popular not only in Mexico but in other Southwestern cultures as well, are different from Navajo, and Falsa blankets, they are often used interchangeably.
If you are intending to buy one, whether for use as a yoga mat, or as tapestry, knowing the difference will help in your selection process. The blankets have been used as far back as more than 2500 years ago, woven from simple looms unlike the mass production that characterizes how it is done today.
Currently, most of the Mexican blankets that you can find in the market are manufactured with synthetic fibers that are machine-washable. However, if you have the authentic kind, it should be handled properly and with extreme care. As this is considered rare nowadays, it is advisable that cleaning is done by a professional who can preserve its original qualities.
Originally, these narrow blankets were laid down on the floor to be used for sitting or sleeping. Some people also wore them as ponchos, draping them across their shoulders to provide warmth during cold winter nights. Mexican blankets were also used as saddle mats or are made to hang in doorways to serve as room dividers.
Today, aside from being used for decorative purposes and add a Southern twist to a particular living area, these blankets are commonly being promoted and sold as ideal yoga mats.
Because yoga requires practitioners to be on the floor most of the time to perform twisting and bending routines from there, it is important that the mat they sit and kneel on during the yoga session must be durable and comfortable enough not to cause any distraction.
Mexican blankets are long and narrow striped cloths that feature bright colors like blue, red, yellow, and brown; usually with one of these being the dominant color. They are characterized by very vivid designs and are very similar to Falsa and Navajo blankets.
Falsa blankets are usually striped in related colors and usually incorporate a diamond design, while the Navajo variety often has stars. A symbol of Mexican culture, Mexican blankets were made from sheep wool and yarn; and have become famous all over the world for their durability and superior craftsmanship.
Although the synthetic (even those hand-woven) counterparts being produced today cannot approximate the artistry and intricate design of the original, these are nevertheless attractive and durable. They are likewise being used now for many other applications. The Mexican blankets today are thus ideal to be laid down on the floor for sitting or for use as yoga mats.