| At my first yoga practice, I borrowed a mat that my | | | | allergic or sensitive to some of these materials, and |
| studio had on hand. I quickly realized I needed a mat of | | | | they are hazardous to the environment. Newer mats |
| my own. The borrowed mat was too thin, not long | | | | are made of a composite, microfiber, or hydrogen |
| enough for my height, and covered in somebody else's | | | | based foam that does not contain latex and are more |
| sweat! Being a total novice, I headed to the local | | | | "eco-friendly." Mats also may be made of natural, more |
| discount store and bought the first mat that caught my | | | | environmentally conscious materials like cotton, |
| eye. Having, at the time, more money than common | | | | bamboo, jute, hemp, or natural rubber. Even though |
| sense, I ended up buying several more mats in the | | | | yoga mats are called "sticky mats" and are intended |
| search for the one that was really right for me. From | | | | to keep you from slipping around since you practice in |
| experience, I know that when you look for the perfect | | | | your bare feet, once you start to perspire the mat can |
| yoga mat, you should consider 5 factors: size/shape, | | | | get slippery. With most mats, you'll need a yoga towel |
| thickness and weight, composition, aesthetics, and | | | | to absorb sweat and keep you from sliding around in a |
| price. If you take the time to carefully think through | | | | power, Bikram, or ashtanga class. Cotton type mats |
| these factors, you will be happier with your choice, | | | | will indeed soak up sweat but they provide less |
| enjoy your yoga practices more, and maybe even | | | | cushion when damp and have to be laundered to keep |
| save money. | | | | them from smelling bad. Natural rubber mats are less |
| Size/shape: As your instructor will probably tell you, | | | | slippery even when wet and easily cleaned; I tried the |
| your mat is your universe. Too small, you may be | | | | Harmony mat by Jade and even though I sweat quite |
| uncomfortable; too big, you may crowd other students. | | | | a bit, I got by with just a hand towel and stayed put |
| "Standard" yoga mats are rectangular in shape, | | | | even in the last down dog of my practice. |
| approximately 24" by 68". For people of average | | | | Aesthetics: One of the teachings of yoga is to give up |
| weight and height, this size and shape will likely serve | | | | worldly, sensory pursuits that distract from practice. |
| well. It will give you just enough horizontal space to do | | | | But most of us still want to look good and be in |
| seated poses and twists and enough length so that | | | | pleasant surroundings when doing our poses. If this is |
| vinyasas and supine poses don't have you hanging off | | | | you, stop and think about whether a plain black mat |
| the back. If, however, you are carrying a little extra | | | | (even if it's long and thick and made of natural |
| weight or you are tall (say 5'10 or over) you may want | | | | materials) will satisfy your sensual side. Even a |
| to consider getting an extra long mat to give you extra | | | | lavender or teal colored mat can become boring to |
| space to move forward and back and to stretch out. | | | | look at after a while. By far, Gaiam makes the most |
| Or, you may want to take the leap of getting a round | | | | decorated yoga mats with names like Damask, Tie |
| mat, like the Mandala 6' Round, which gives you more | | | | Dye, Flower Power, and Dragon Fly Hydrangea. Only |
| room to stretch out in all of your poses. I take a long | | | | you will know if the patterned decor is worth any |
| mat to class but use a round mat at home. Long, | | | | sacrifice you might have to make with respect to the |
| rectangular mats can easily be accommodated at the | | | | other features you need or want. |
| studio, but the round mat (unless everyone in the class | | | | Price: Prices for yoga mats vary widely. You can get |
| uses one) just disrupts the arrangement of the other | | | | a cheap, "plain Jane" yoga mat on the internet for |
| mats in the class. So if you take one to the studio and | | | | about eight bucks. If you are just trying yoga and don't |
| you're the only one using a round mat, be prepared for | | | | want to make a commitment, this might do. But if you |
| some disgruntled stares from classmates and maybe | | | | are serious about practicing, expect to pay a little |
| your instructor. | | | | more. Generally, thicker natural material mats will be |
| Thickness: A yoga mat's purpose is to provide you | | | | more expensive. Gaiam's mats run from about $20 to |
| with a non-slip surface and to cushion your knees, hips, | | | | about $40. Manduka's black mat pro will set you back |
| and other parts that come into contact with the floor. | | | | close to $100 and the Eko natural rubber mat is about |
| Mats at the yoga studio and less expensive mats are | | | | $80. YogaAccessories makes a natural rubber mat in |
| likely to be 1/8" thick, perhaps slightly more. This minimal | | | | 5/16" thickness for about $45 while the same |
| thickness is fine if you have no sensitivity in your knees | | | | thickness natural rubber mat from Jade is about $80. |
| during camel pose, in your hips during supine twists, in | | | | Madala's 6ft Round Mat will cost you approximately |
| your elbows during sphinx, or in your wrists in down | | | | $65. Prices change and sales do happen, so check |
| dog pose. But if you do have that sensitivity, a thicker | | | | around and compare prices. Check with your yoga |
| mat may be best for you. Many mats advertised as | | | | studio too; they may have the mat you are looking for |
| "thick" are only 1/4" thick. In fact, Manduka's Black Mat, | | | | and might be able to meet a price you've found |
| considered the Cadillac in thick mats, is 1/4" thick. | | | | elsewhere. |
| However, other mats, like premium mats made by | | | | Which mat is right for you depends on the size/shape |
| Jade, are up to 5mm thick or more and just that little | | | | of the mat, how thick and heavy it is, what it is made |
| extra padding can make a difference in how you feel. | | | | of, what it looks like, and how much it costs. You also |
| One more thing to think about with thick mats, the | | | | may decide that you need more than one mat, |
| thicker the mat, the heavier it is likely to be, which can | | | | especially if you practice at home as well as at the |
| be a drawback if you are toting it around from class | | | | studio. In any event, if you take the time to carefully |
| to home and back. | | | | consider these factors, you will be happier with your |
| Composition: Yoga mats are made of various different | | | | choices, enjoy your yoga practices more, and maybe |
| materials. Older mats and cheaper mats may be | | | | even save money. |
| made of latex, PVC, or a plastic blend. You may be | | | | |