Yoga mats aid your yoga practice by providing a soft surface upon which to lie, combined with a sticky surface that prevents your feet or hands from sliding in certain poses. The best yoga mat combines support, portability, grip and the right length. Be sure you're buying a yoga mat, not a Pilates mat. Both serve a similar purpose, but a Pilates mat may be too thick, making you unstable in some standing poses.
Versatile
The Black Manduka Mat is thicker than a usual yoga mat, but not so thick as to introduce instability in standing poses. As a result, you can use it for both yoga and Pilates, making the relatively more expensive cost justifiable if you practice both disciplines. In addition, it has a non-slip surface. In March 2011, the Manduka Mat retails for about $80 at some online retailers.
Budget Friendly
The Yoga Accessories Extra Thick Deluxe Mat for is far less expensive, available for about $20 at online retailers in March 2011. This mat is also thick enough to protect your tailbone and hips during Pilates exercises as well as sticky enough to support you in your yoga practice, which makes it even more budget-friendly.
No Phthalates
Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is a chemical common in products that use any form of vinyl. It can contain chemicals, called phthalates suggested to cause reproductive harm. Yoga mats without these chemicals aren't common, but one mat, the Aeromat Elite Dual Surface Exercise Mat, provides a choice for those concerned about phthalates. You can also choose the size of mat you'd like, making it perfect for taller practitioners of yoga. It sells for between $30 and $80 as of March 2011.
Helpful
The G2 Fit Self-Guiding Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat includes a printed yoga guide on the mat itself, making it helpful if you need to practice alone. This mat costs about $30 as of March 2011.
Travel
If portability is critical, look at the Gaiam Reversible Eco Travel Mat. It weighs just a pound, making it very light weight when compared to other mats that weight up to 10 pounds. However, that lightness comes at a price -- the mat itself is not very thick and you may need to put the mat on top of a towel or pad for comfort in some positions.
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