How To Choose A Yoga Mat
Why do you even need a yoga mat?
Well, to be honest, you do not need a yoga mat. They are great for the purpose they serve; setting a space for your practice, adding some support for your body and having some cushion between you and the ground. But, especially if you are just starting off, buying a mat is not completely necessary, and definitely does not need to break the bank. If you are going to a studio to practice, they will generally have mats there for either a small price to borrow or just to lend you. I would suggest taking advantage of this at first. After a while if you decide that you want to stick with it and continue your practice, then it may be worth investing in a mat. At that point though, you will have tried out different mats from the studio and been able to figure out, more or less, which type works best for you.
If you are just starting yoga and want to practice at home, do you need a mat? Nope. I have traveled plenty of times without bringing my mat with me, and I would just practice where ever I could. On the ground, beach, grass, etc. I have even used a regular towel as a mat to set the intention with the space, which is really what a mat is for. So if you really want that space, then using a towel is an easy hack if you are without a mat.
That being said, when I first started yoga I thought I had it figured out. I decided I wanted a thicker yoga mat for the cushion. I just knew it would feel so good and comfortable! Alas, I learned from my mistake once I actually established a practice; the thicker mat just did not work for me. And after many trials and errors, I finally found the mat that works best for my practice. I am hoping to help you learn from my ways, and let my lessons make it a bit easier for you to find the right mat for your practice!
Things to consider when looking for a mat:
Material
What kind of material is the mat made from? Most mats I have found either have a foam or rubber base. While the foam can be lighter, the quality is not always as good as the rubber mats. I also have found that some of the rubber mats allow less slipping since they are more grip-able. Jade Yoga mats have a nice texture to them and are high quality, and Lulu Lemon mats are another high quality rubber yoga mat that are more dense and have a slicker surface. Also keep in mind here if your body is sensitive to either of these materials, you may have to look into another option. Yoga towels are available in these situations, and I would recommend getting the towels with the grip spots on the bottom to keep it in place. While they do not have the density of the other types of mats, they still serve the purpose of creating your yoga space.
Portability
I know a big concern for myself is how portable the mat is. With how much traveling I do, it is just not feasible to have a huge, heavy mat that does not roll up easy. That being said, if portability is not a concern for you, then maybe a heavier mat is right up your ally!
Weight
When it comes to portability, one of the first things to consider is weight. While rubber is more dense than the foam options, what are you sacrificing with that density? Consider how much the weight matters, how you will be using the mat, etc.
Length
How long the mat is also plays into the portability of it. The longer it is, the more room it will take up and the heavier it will be, generally speaking. If you are taller (6 feet and over) you may want a longer mat. The typical size of a mat is approximately 72 inches long, while longer mats are approximately 80 inches long, or 1.8 meters. Most manufacturers make longer mats nowadays, so it is just the matter of looking into which mat company you want to purchase from and going from there.
Thickness
This was the first mistake I made when purchasing a mat. While a thicker mat can absolutely help with cushioning the joints, it also made it harder to balance and was overall unnecessary for my practice. However, if you have a more home based practice and want or need the extra cushion, then a thicker mat could be for you! I would say that, in my opinion, a more densely made mat is usually better than a thicker, plushier one. The denser mat will not give as easily to the floor, allowing for more support on the joints and in the balancing poses, while the thicker, plushy mats tend to give to the ground and do not offer much support.
Being aware of your body and what it needs here will help you decide on the thickness or density of the mat for you.
Overall Quality
You get what you pay for. While there are plenty of places that sell mats for about $10, be aware that you are not getting a high quality mat. These mats tend to be foam based with little support, and may slide around on you, or bunch up on your jumps. Having a mat that stays in place and supports you is hard to beat, and there are plenty of places that sell these mats at a reasonable price. You do not need a mat that breaks the bank, but if you are serious about your practice, you may want one that holds up.
Another thing to consider when it comes to quality is sustainability. While this may not concern everyone, if it does concern you then it is good to know that there are companies out there that have you in mind! This article covers just about covers it.
And of course, your own practice.
In the end, it comes down to preference and practice. If you have bad joints and only practice at home, then a thicker, denser and heavier mat may be for you. If you travel a lot (like myself) and have a routine practice, then you need one that fits that style.
Here is a list of companies that make mats I trust:
Just to name a few! There are so many great companies out there. Do not hesitate to keep searching and find your perfect mat!
Yoga Towels:
Thank you for dedicating your time to read this! I hope it helps you in your journey.
Love & Light