15 years ago, the only type of yoga mat available was one: a PVC-based mat that was known for its stickiness and durability. You could only choose to purchase purple or blue. There are yoga mats to suit every preference.
Your yoga mat should not only be customizable with a color or pattern, but also have the ability to support your body in all positions. It must also be portable and easily transportable, as well as comfortable and soft. Your mat may also need to be eco-friendly. These elements of your mat’s personality will be affected by the way it is made, including its thickness, material, and surface texture.
This guide will help you choose a yoga mat that you are happy with. It should be suited to your lifestyle, priorities, values, and budget. It doesn’t matter what you hear from the shops, it’s the best yoga mat!
- THICKNESS
It’s crucial: Your yoga mat’s thickness has a significant impact on how comfortable it is. If it is too thin, your knee could get bucked up in crescent lunge. Thick Workout Mat for Pilates, some as thick as 1/4 inches, can make it difficult for you to feel a strong link to the ground, which could lead to you feeling more wobbly when you do Tree Pose.
Options: A regular yoga mat is approximately 1/8 inches thick. The thickest yoga mats are about 1/4 inches. Wafer-thin yoga mats are also available, sometimes called “travel yoga mats”. They are only 1/16 inches thick. They are lightweight and fold up easily, so they can be packed in a suitcase with ease.
The basics of buying: Think about how much space you need to store your yoga mat, how important it is to be portable, and what your preference is for comfort over being connected to the ground directly. You may need to transport your mat a lot, or if you have limited storage space. If you prefer the feeling of a bit more padding, a standard-depth mat in the 1/8″ range is the best choice.
A premium yogamat is a bit heavier than a regular mat. If you must have your yoga mat packed in a suitcase, or in a carry-on bag, a foldable yoga mat is the best choice.
- MATERIAL
Why it is important: The material of your yoga mat will dictate its texture, stickiness and sponginess (how it responds to pressure) and wear over time.
Standard yoga mats are usually made from vinyl, also known as PVC. Natural and recycled rubber, jute and organic cotton are all eco-friendly alternatives.
The following are some guidelines for buying yoga mats made from natural rubber. PVC yoga mats can withstand your abuse and use for over a decade. Although spongeiness can vary between different materials, PVC is the most flexible of all yoga mat materials. Jute and cotton are the least flexible.
These are just the basics. Continue reading and let your other priorities, texture, stickiness and eco-friendliness, guide you.
- TEXTURE
Why it is important: Your yoga mat’s texture determines how much traction you get. Texture, like stickiness, affects the amount of sliding and slipping you do. It acts as a barrier to sliding, whereas stickiness relies upon suction. Because texture has an impact on how a yoga mat feels, it can also be a part of overall comfort.
Any bumpy texture in savasana will be a problem for Princess-and-the Pea types. Texture can either be man-made (a pattern with raised bumps for example), or dictated by materials. Jute yoga mats have an organic roughness, while PVC yogamats, although slightly textured, feel softer.
You have options: From completely smooth to downright rough, there are many different types of yoga mats.
The following are some basic buying guidelines: You want a yoga mat that is slip-resistant and doesn’t stick, so look for rubber, jute or cotton mats with a tactile raised pattern. The raised texture can provide extra grip, which will help you stay in place no matter how vigorous or sweaty your practice is.
A PVC yoga mat will be the best choice if you value smoothness. If you don’t mind sticking to your mat but want to see the latest, earth-friendly alternatives, you can test them out before you commit. You might be surprised at how much traction some eco-friendly yogamats provide, even though they aren’t “sticky”.
- STICKINESS
Why is it important? A sticky yoga mat prevents you from sliding around and maintains your alignment while you move between poses. It also helps you to stay in one place for longer periods of time.
Optional: PVC yoga mats are the most sticky.
A basic buying guide: A PVC yoga mat will help you stay in your poses, but it is not recommended for those who are unable to tolerate the texture of a mat. These yoga mats can only be sticky if they are properly cared for . You should wash your PVC yoga mat before you use it. Also, you can use a handy yoga wash cleaner if you feel your hands slide forward when you are in downward dog.
- ECO-FRIENDLINESS
Why it is important: Yogis hold the principle of ahimsa (or non-violence) dear. This makes it difficult to practice yoga on a mat that could end up in a landfill for many decades.
Options: These earth-friendly yoga mats can be made of natural or recycled rubber. These yoga mats can also contain natural materials like jute and organic cotton.
Basic buying guide: Avoid yoga mats made from PVC (the sticky mat) as it is not recyclable and does not dissolve in landfills. Rubber and jute yoga mats are available in different thicknesses. However, they tend to be thicker, and more slippery than PVC mats. A yoga mat can be eco-friendly and have a thickness that suits your comfort and portability. It also has a texture that prevents slippage (e.g. a raised geometric pattern).
- PRICE RANGE
A basic, 1/8-inch thick, solid-color PVC sticky yoga rug will fall towards the lower end of the price spectrum. You may have to pay more for logos, patterns or designs; premium thickness; antimicrobial treatment; cool textures and raised tactile patterns. The highest priced yoga mats that are eco-friendly tend to be the most expensive.
- STYLE
After narrowing down your options by price, thickness, material texture, stickiness and eco-friendliness you will be left with one thing: style. You can now choose your favorite color, print, or pattern. You’ll see a lot of it down dog. Have fun shopping!
