Bikram yoga is a system of yoga that was developed by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s. A Bikram yoga class consists of 26 postures conducted over a 90-minute class in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the heated aspect of Bikram, practitioners often sweat profusely. Sweat can make traditional mats slippery and dangerous. As a result, a number of specialized yoga mats have been developed for Bikram practice.
Washable
Because of the sweat that drips onto yoga mats during Bikram, it is important to wash them regularly. Washing your mat will keep it more sanitary and help it to last longer. Some hot yoga mats are developed with easy washing in mind. Solace and Breathe Yoga both produce mats that are machine washable.
Environmentally Friendly
Environmentally friendly yoga mats are made out of sustainable materials, such as bamboo or natural rubber. Bamboo mats hold up during hot yoga especially well because they are naturally less slippery than rubber mats. Earth Element and PurEarth both produce green mats.
No-Slip
Choose a Bikram yoga mat that won't become slippery when it is wet. Many yoga companies produce no-slip mats in a variety of lengths, thicknesses and colors. The Lululemon hot yoga mat and the Hugger Mugger Yoga Tola mat are designed to minimize slip.
Accessories
When practicing Bikram, it is not always necessary to buy a new mat. Many practitioners simply place towels over their mat to absorb sweat and reduce slip. Hot yoga towels are also available for purchase at most yoga stores. These towels are designed specifically to cover your yoga mat, reduce slip, and absorb sweat. They are easily machine washable and will increase the life of your mat. Companies like Lululemon and Yogitoes both sell hot yoga towels.
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