Sticky Vs. Cotton Yoga Mat

Ask any modern-day yogi if they'd trade in their yoga mat for a tiger skin or grass mat and you'll probably get some very strange looks. Ashtanga yoga master David Swenson notes that these materials were the practice surfaces of choice for the ancient yogis. Over the years, yoga mats have evolved into two basic categories -- "sticky" mats and cotton mats -- and each has its place according to the practice and the practitioner's needs and preferences.

Purpose of Yoga Mats

You can practice yoga poses without a mat since almost any flat, nonslip surface will suffice. However, most modern yogis prefer to use some kind of mat or rug to practice on. The main purpose of a mat is to provide a comfortable, nonskid surface for the hands and feet while you practice yoga poses. Depending on the material and thickness, yoga mats also provide cushioning for certain bony protuberances, such as kneecaps, elbows and vertebrae, which can become irritated during certain poses.

Benefits of Sticky Mats

When considering yoga mats, sticky mats generally come to mind first, as they are the most commonly seen mats in yoga studios. Mats in this category were originally made of the rubbery underlayer of carpeting when renowned yoga instructor, Angela Farmer, searched for an appropriate nonskid material to practice yoga poses. She found that the carpeting material provided the right balance of traction and stability, and in the 1980s, she and her father mass-produced the first sticky mats from similar materials. Since then, manufacturers have designed thicker, sturdier mats from PVC and rubber composites, all with the purpose of providing practitioners with a comfortable, strain- and slip-free surface.

Benefits of Cotton Mats

There are two basic types of cotton yoga mats. The first can be classified as a yoga rug, and generally is used in sweat-producing yoga styles such as Ashtanga. The other cotton mat resembles a thin bedroll: a cotton shell with cotton batting inside. Both of these mat styles provide a comfortably padded surface that also absorbs sweat during practice. Cotton yoga mats are simple to clean; they can be tossed in the washer and dryer after each yoga session, thus providing a constantly hygienic practice surface.

Disadvantages of Sticky Mats

One noteworthy disadvantage of sticky mats is that profuse perspiration makes them quite slippery. Sweat also provides a fertile ground for bacteria, making constant cleaning important, which isn't as easy as with cotton mats. Also, while eco-friendly materials are now used to make sticky mats, some mats are still made from petroleum-based compounds, such as PVC, which are environmentally and physiologically damaging.

Disadvantages of Cotton Mats

While cotton mats provide additional cushioning, they generally do not provide enough traction to keep the mat from slipping against hard floor surfaces. Also, cotton fibers break down relatively quickly with repeated wear and washing, so these mats need to be replaced more often than sticky mats.

Using Both Mat Styles Simultaneously

By layering a cotton mat over a sticky mat, you can create a yoga practice area that decreases sweat-induced slippage between the body and the mat, as well as provides better traction between the floor and the mat.