Yoga mats are the most widely used prop in a yoga class, as the majority of practitioners use a mat every time that they practice. The best yoga mats will be efficient at absorbing sweat while also preventing you from slipping by providing adequate traction. Other important features that determine the quality of the mat are thickness, durability and the material from which the mat is made of.
Thickness
Yoga mats come in varying degrees of thickness, generally ranging from one-sixteenth of an inch to one-quarter, with the majority of mats being in the middle at one-eighth. A thinner mat allows you to feel the floor better and can help with grounding and balancing in postures like standing back bend or tree pose. On the other end of the spectrum, a thicker mat provides additional cushioning, which can be more beneficial during seated poses like bound angle pose, kneeling poses such as low lunge or supine poses like savasana. When buying a yoga mat it is also important to consider how you get to and from yoga class; thinner mats weigh less, whereas thicker mats can be more difficult and cumbersome to carry around.
Material
Yoga mats are made in a variety of different materials, ranging from the traditional PVC or vinyl to more eco-friendly options like organic cotton, natural cotton, jute and rubber. PVC mats tend to be smoother in texture, whereas jute, cotton or rubber mats can provide more grip, which helps to prevent you from slipping, especially if the mat has a raised texture. Additionally, PVC mats are not eco friendly and can be difficult to recycle, an issue that is becoming more important and popular in yoga these days.
Stickiness
For beginners, the stickiness of the yoga mat is probably the most important aspect. Stickiness does just that, it helps your hands and feet stick to the mat in order to prevent slipping. If you take a heated type of yoga this can increase the need for stickiness, as sweat can very easily cause a slippery surface. Positions such as downward dog, dolphin, handstand, triangle, warrior II and side angle pose are poses that you would want a stable surface, unless you are an advanced practitioner with enough strength to withstand the slipping aspect.
Travelling
As yoga has become more popular and greater numbers of people consider themselves to be regular practitioners, the need for yoga mats and props that are suitable for travelling has arisen. Many of the popular yoga mat manufacturers have answered the call and developed mats that are lightweight, suitable to use in hotel rooms no matter if the floors are carpeted or not and still provide plenty of texture and grip.
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