How do you know which yoga mat suits you and your needs? It’s not an easy task to find the perfect mat that will be the companion on your journey. To find the best one for you, it’s important to look at your needs, lifestyle, priorities, beliefs and budget. But look no further! We will help you to narrow down the choices in the jungle of yoga mats.
Start by looking at your needs
Before choosing a mat, you need to figure out your needs. How often do you think you will use it? Are you a heavy sweater? Is it important for you that the mat is eco-friendly? Are you on a tight budget?
It’s a good idea to try out different yoga mats before you buy one. It should feel comfortable and give you a good grip as well as it should have good grip on the floor, so you won’t slip. Check out the points below to get an idea of how yoga mats differ.
How to find the perfect yoga mat
1. The price
The price plays a big role, not only for your budget but also what kind of mat you will get. The price of yoga mats range from cheap to pretty pricey, in other words you can find a mat that will suit your budget. Nonetheless, you get what you pay for in terms of durability, eco-friendliness and quality and some providers even offer lifetime guarantee. Often cheap yoga mats don’t have a good grip and as soon as the sweat starts to poor you will start to slip. And of course, brands, logos and patterns will have an influence on the price. So take a moment to figure out what you are looking for in your yoga mat.
2. Thickness
The thickness of your yoga mat will influence how comfortable it will be to use. If it is too thin, you might find it uncomfortable for your knees. On the other hand, the lighter it is, the easier it will be for you to carry it around. A thick mat will make some positions very comfortable to perform but you might struggle for balance in other positions. It all comes down to personal preference, so consider what kind of mat suits your lifestyle. A thin mat is better if you travel or often carry it with you while a thick mat might suit you if you only use it now and then at home. The style of yoga you practice can also be a factor when finding a suitable mat. Few examples of styles and mats:
- Ashtanga Yoga – avoid the thinner mats since you will be jumping a lot
- Yin Yoga – a thicker mat works best for Yin positions
- Kundalini Yoga – a thicker mat is perfect
3. Material and eco-friendliness
Most of the regular yoga mats are produced from PVC, but there's a wide range to choose from. Bengt Ljungquist, who has great deal of experience from producing his own yoga mats, says:
“Toxic free mats made from PVC are more eco-friendly in certain aspects considering that they are recyclable. Some rubber mats contain toxic chemicals and chemical dyes. What is important is to make sure is that the PVC mat does not contain any Phthalates. Some cheaper PVC mats often contain Phthalates to make them more flexible since it is cheaper to manufacture. More expensive mats, such as Manduka, have been tested in different laboratories to guarantee that they are non-toxic. They are more expensive, however, it’s worth the extra cost taking into account both the environment and the yogi.”
4. Texture
The surface of the yoga mat varies from smooth to rough. The texture affects how much we slide but you should also consider what you like and what feels good against your body. Some are sticky, other harder and some have a soft touch. If you usually slide – look for a rubber, jute or cotton rug for enhanced texture.
5. Design, brand and style
Now you have come to the final step - to choose the style, color and design you want! If you plan to keep your yoga mat for some time, you should invest in a mat you just can’t live with out rather than what feels fine for the moment – both for you and the environment.
Keep in mind that it’s better to try out the yoga mat before you buy it. Even though your friend or instructor have favorite mats doesn’t mean it will be the one for you.
Good luck!
Deepen your practice
Check out some videos where we use different props to deepen the practice.
Yoga with
Embodied Yin: When you need something short and sweet for the heart.
Yoga with
Yoga philosophy: Integrating the koshas into restorative yoga with relaxing poses.
Yoga with
Release tension in the hips and back of the thighs, where a lot of old stress accumulates.
For more videos with props, go to the video library.
