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Finding the Ideal Yoga Mat
YogaLondon on 02 August, 2010 |

A great feature of yoga is the little equipment required to practice and receive great results. In times of old, yoga was practiced on a small thin floor mat or rug. Today, the PVC yoga mat is a standard issue in yoga classes. For the little equipment required for yoga, the issue of which mat to choose causes much confusion. After all, there are many types to choose from, ranging from the foam-like Sticky Mat to the convenient Travel Mat. Top this with the search to find the ultimate ‘non-slip’ mat and you have quite a decision in your hands.

The Sticky Mat
A mat that is most often used is the sticky mat. Made of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), a popular type of plastic, this mat has a foam-like appearance and feel. The sticky mat is relatively inexpensive and can be found at most sport shops. Because of it's plastic properties, it is not environmentally friendly and may smell when first purchased. It is also known to be a thinner, more flimsy mat.

If you have perpetual discomfort in your knees or joints, you may want to switch to the Ultra Thick Sticky Mat. Similar to the standard sticky mat, the ultra is made of plastic but offers extra padding. If you are tall, extra long mats can be purchased which offer you more room to maneuver.

Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats
A yoga practice teaches you not only how to touch your toes but also how to respect the people and environment around you. The popular ‘sticky mat’ is made from PVC which, although cheap, will last just as long as shopping bags on the rubbish heap. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly mat you should look into purchasing one of the new natural rubber mats available.

The popular ecoYoga mat has a jute fabric/rubber mix on top that creates a natural textured surface to practice on and great grip. Jade mats are made of natural rubber - so none of those PVC, earth killing qualities and offers extra traction for more intense yoga practices. Manduka’s eKO mats are proving equally popular and promise to be one of the longest lasting eco yoga mats on sale.

The Cotton Mat
If you enjoy hot yoga or Ashtanga Vinyasa, the cotton mat will be your best friend. It is light-weight and best for soaking up sweat. Using a cotton mat will prevent the discomfort of a sweaty yoga surface - no longer will you be distracted by sliding in downward dog. The downside? Cotton mats may slip and slide on certain floors, as they are not very sticky, and ideally should be used over a regular yoga mat.

Travel Mats
Travel mats are intended for, well, traveling. It's designed ultra thin and lightweight so that you're able to pack it in your bag easily. These are great in the short term as they’ll let you take your practice all over the world with ease, however in the long run you are likely to get aggravated by these mats. The lightweight quality proves to be their down fall as they tend to gather and crease underneath you as you practice.

Yoga Towels
If your main concern is slipping on the mat in downward dog then a yoga towel might be for you. Many yoga mats simply need to be ‘worn in’ before they become non-slip, but if your fighting a loosing battle with sweaty palms in your practice then a yoga towel might be the answer. These microfibre towels can be laid on top of a regular yoga mat and hey presto – No slip! They are a hygienic option if you are using communal mats at a gym or studio, and best of all it can be popped in the washing machine after your practice.

Things to consider whilst mat shopping:

- Be sure that the mat is long enough for your body.
- The type of yoga you practice frequently will matter when looking for a mat. For example: If you practice Ashtanga or Vinyasa Flow, thicker sticky mats are recommended so as to avoid possible movement to your mat as you transition from pose to pose.
- Consider the comfort of the mat. If you experience discomfort when kneeling opt for a thicker mat.
- If your practice gets hot and sweaty consider cotton mats or yoga towels to prevent slip.