Yoga mats come in a variety of materials, and they also have different thicknesses and stickiness levels. While your preference of yoga mat is a personal choice, there are specific characteristics that work best with certain types of yoga. For hot yoga, one of the most important aspects of a mat is its ability to absorb sweat in order to prevent slipping during challenging standing poses, inversions and arm balances.
Thickness
Thinner yoga mats are lighter to carry around and are easier to feel the floor through, which can be helpful during balancing poses; thicker mats are often more efficient during hot yoga classes. The thinnest mats start at one-sixteenth of an inch, which is not ideal for absorbing the amount of sweat that most endure during a 90-minute class. Many vinyasa flow classes are heated to 85 degrees F, and Bikram hot yoga classes can go as high as 95 to 105 degree F; combining that with vigorous movement creates a high moisture situation. Thicker mats, though more difficult to balance on, can keep you more comfortable during a hot yoga class.
Material
For hot yoga classes, the more eco-friendly natural and organic cotton may be appropriate, as it tends to provide adequate grip, which can help control slipping. Additional beneficial materials for hot yoga are rubber and jute. You may want to avoid the mats made of PVC or vinyl, which are better used in gentler practices.
Stickiness
Along with thickness and material, the stickiness of your yoga mat is another factor to consider, especially during a hot yoga practice. A yoga mat that has an adequate amount of stickiness to it will help you stabilize your body even if you are sweating a great deal. Keep in mind that you will want both your hands and feet to be stable during class, as sweat can interfere with poses.
Yoga Towel Mats
If you tend to sweat excessively during a hot yoga class, or still have trouble stabilizing even with a suitable mat, you may want to consider obtaining a yoga towel mat. These may be used either on top of a traditional mat or alone. They are made of an absorbent terry cloth material that has rubber grips on one side, which keep you stable when dealing with a large amount of moisture. Several yoga mat manufacturers are offering yoga towels these days, and they generally retail for $40 to $70.
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