Whether you are beginning yoga or have been doing yoga for years, the yoga mat remains the core equipment of any practice. Yoga mats of all shapes and sizes flood the market, each claiming to be superior in some new way, yet the recommendations for a yoga mat are simple and straightforward.
Cleanliness
Most yoga studios encourage participants to bring their own mats as a means of controlling the spread of germs and disease during group classes. Mats should be easy to clean, and cleanliness is an important part of practice. Therefore, purchase a mat with simple washing instructions that are clearly displayed. Most yoga mats can be washed in mild detergent and warm water and air dried.
Comfort
An obvious, yet easily overlooked recommendation for a yoga mat is: do you like it? Is it comfortable? If not, chances are your practice may suffer. The yoga mat is often the sole piece of equipment for practice, therefore yoga practitioners often develop a close relationship with their mat. Make sure you buy a mat that you want to spend time on.
Stickiness & Durability
The yoga mat you choose will depend largely on the style of yoga you perform. Yoga mats need to be sticky -- adhere well to the floor -- to provide stability in balancing postures such as the tree pose. Mats also need to be durable and provide enough cushioning for the patella and hip bones, and sit bones in the seated postures.
Price
As fitness trends go, yoga is still booming, and some mat manufacturers may take yoga's popularity as an opportunity to raise prices. For the majority of yoga practitioners, a perfectly decent yoga mat can be had for between $20 and $30 as of 2011. Teachers or students may wish to spend a bit more given volume of use.
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