Finding the right yoga mat for your needs when you're starting your practice is important, just like when you're starting a new sport and looking for quality equipment.
Your yoga mat will not only be your sacred space during your practice, but it's also where you'll place your body. Your hands and feet need a firm mat that provides stability and a good grip to prevent slipping. It should also be thick enough to support your joints, especially your knees in poses where they're on the mat.
There are many types of yoga mats available from different brands, at various price points, and made from different materials. While we always want to be mindful of our budget, if you practice regularly three or more times a week, it's important to invest in a good mat. A good mat will not only greatly enhance your practice but will also be a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Benefits of a yoga mat
A yoga mat will keep you consistent in your practice and make you want to repeat the poses. The comfort it provides will give you an immediate sense of well-being. The texture is also an element that will make you love yoga.
Another advantage of a yoga mat is that it can tell you if you're doing the poses correctly. In fact, they have markers that indicate the position of your hands and feet. This is important information, especially when practicing alone.
Finally, yoga mats are usually portable. This allows you to practice anywhere: in a park, on the grass, or at a friend's house. Yoga can be practiced again and again.
What to look for in a yoga mat?
Adhesion
Look for a non-slip material. Materials like foam or PVC, as we've seen, aren't recommended. Others include cork, rubber, polyurethane, etc. You can try different mats by doing the downward-facing dog pose, because this position makes it easy to tell if you're slipping or not.
This is a key feature for preventing slipping on carpets. Grip problems can often arise due to perspiration from the hands and feet, and this is solved by carpets with a porous material and grooves on the contact surface. These grooves are barely noticeable, but they allow sweat to escape, thus providing a larger gripping surface.
This is a feature that makes all the difference between the grip of cheaper and more expensive rugs. This is the most significant indicator of rug quality.
Density
Density refers to the firmness of the mat when you lie on it. The thicker the mat, the firmer it will be, but this depends on the density of the material it's made from. Density, in combination with thickness, provides the necessary firmness for stable balance and more complex poses.
Not all mat manufacturers indicate their density or hardness. This is a more difficult factor to measure, and only practice will give you the answer as to whether the mat is hard or soft.
The mat should be made of a material that does not sag, as this would not give you the support you need for your poses, especially balance poses.
Thickness
Look for a rug that's neither too thin nor too thick. We recommend a minimum thickness of 3 mm and a maximum of 6 mm. If the rug is thicker, it will lose stability. If it's thinner, it won't provide enough support.
This is a key factor. Generally, thinner mats, from 1.5 mm to 2 mm, are preferred by more experienced yogis, as they value grip, control, and ground contact over comfort. Beginner yogis tend to feel more comfortable with thicker mats, up to 6 or 8 mm at most.
We advise against thicker mats for yoga practice, as comfort can compromise balance and control. If you have any concerns, we recommend a 6mm mat.
Size
The standard size is 66 cm wide x 180 cm long. Sometimes longer sizes are available for slightly taller people (180 cm and over).
Imagine you're trying to perform Sirsasana, the quintessential inverted pose where balance and body stability are essential for proper execution. It would be impossible to perform Sirsasana on a mat that didn't provide sufficient stability and traction—meaning no part of your body would "slip" on the mat, even if you were sweating.
Weight
If you practice yoga outdoors and have to carry your mat with you, weight is also an important factor. There can be more than a kilogram difference between a heavy and a light mat, which is significant. Obviously, the thicker and larger the mat, the heavier it will be.
If you have to carry them on your back, the weight can be another factor. It would be a mistake to take care of yourself by doing yoga and then overload your shoulders or back by carrying the mat!
Reference drawings
Some carpet brands enhance the standard carpet by adding markings or patterns to the surface. These designs serve as guidelines, indicating, for example, the carpet's center line, foot placement references, tilt angles, and so on.
Transportability
- There are different ways to carry a mat for your yoga classes or for the gym:
- With strap: Some mats have a strap to hold the mat when it's rolled up, so you can hang it over your shoulder and carry it comfortably.
- With a carrying case: Some models include a bag or carrying case with handles, where you can store your rolled-up mat, as well as your keys, wallet, and even a change of clothes. You can also buy the bag separately and put any mat inside.
- Foldable: The thinnest models (1.5-2 mm) have a consistency that allows them to be folded like a towel, rather than rolled up. This makes things easier if you have to travel, as you can fold it up and put it in a suitcase.
Eco-responsibility
The substance can be natural, organic, or synthetic, and synthetic substances have a different effect on the environment.
Consider the production process, the amount of water used, and the company's environmental responsibility (some brands invest in tree planting). The carpet's recyclability is one of the most important requirements.
We all use plastics in our daily lives: phone cases, plugs, electronic devices, pens; we cannot live without chemicals, but we must eliminate single-use plastics that pollute the atmosphere and are not biodegradable.
A decent rug will last for many years because it won't be easily destroyed and therefore won't be thrown away after six months, making it more durable. We could talk about sustainability if manufacturers considered standards for rug manufacturing, use, longevity, and recycling.
What material should I choose for my rug?
The material of the mats determines their viscosity, texture, fluffiness, and durability. Grip is important because it prevents slipping when practicing certain poses.
Texture is defined by the design, with raised areas, or by a simple characteristic of the material. Texture determines the comfort of the carpet to the touch, but this characteristic also affects the amount of traction a carpet provides.
PVC is the most common material used for carpets due to its affordability and durability. Rubber, jute, and cotton are materials that are not as sticky as PVC but can provide a textured surface that helps prevent slipping.
The most commonly used materials are:
- PVC, TPE, EVA, or foam. Yoga mats: Classic yoga mats are made of synthetic materials. They are the cheapest and most durable, firm, and have a pleasant texture, but they are the most harmful to the environment.
- Rubber: As a highly recyclable material, rubber mats are environmentally friendly. The cost is moderate, although it is becoming increasingly affordable. Be aware of potential allergies to this material.
- Cotton: Cotton is ideal for high perspiration, as it is an extremely absorbent material. Organic cotton is environmentally friendly, although it is the most expensive.
- Certain tapis present a combination of materials, you can find tapis that are compatible with synthetic and natural materials.
Which carpets should not be used?
A very common exercise mat, especially for beginners, is a very thick mat (more than 6 mm) made of foam. You can find them in any supermarket, but they're not yoga mats; they're for doing abdominal exercises.
Because they're so thick, they won't help you maintain your balance, as you'll sink in when you stand on them and, due to the material, you'll slip. Also, you'll find that when you put them on the floor, they'll start to curl up on their own and move around a lot while you practice. Finally, these mats are usually much shorter, since they're only used for lying down and not for yoga poses where you need more space.
The second yoga mat that is also often seen but is not a yoga mat is the very thin mat.
Unlike the previous model, these mats don't offer the best support for your knees and wrists. The material (PVC) also makes them slippery, and they start to fall apart. Don't be surprised to see pieces of the mat scattered on the floor after your workout.
How to maintain your yoga mat?
You probably sweated during your last yoga session. After each session, it's a good idea to clean your yoga mat regularly to prevent infections, as sweat and heat promote the spread of germs and bacteria.
This is a quick and easy task that will prolong the life of your carpet. Here's an example of a simple homemade preparation that allows you to use your favorite fragrances.
- Mix one part water with three parts white vinegar in a small spray bottle.
- Add two drops of tea tree oil to the jar.
- Add a drop of lavender oil (or any other fragrance you prefer).
Tea tree oil contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, and the scent of lavender is calming and pleasant.
With all the sweat and germs, your carpet is likely to get dirty and moldy. Keep a small bottle of water with essential oil and a clean cloth handy.
Spray the yoga mat and let it soak for a while before cleaning it.
Gently clean the carpet with a damp cloth or sponge.
Use a dry cloth or paper towel to dry the carpet.
