Aside from the apparel, it is important to have the right yoga mat in making the most out of your session. It’s because whether you practice yoga at home or attend a class, you shouldn’t be having any trouble with this workout accessory.
Anyway, the longer you practice yoga, the easier you’ll be able to determine the mat that particularly suits your body and needs. Yoga mats vary in qualities and sizes so there is no perfect mat for everyone.
However, if you are a beginner and wants to know which one will do best for you, you are in the right place. Here are some of the most important factors you should consider in choosing which yoga mat to buy.
1. Thickness
Obviously, it is important to choose a mat that is not too thin to protect your legs, knees, toes and arms from hitting painfully on the hard floor during practice. However, yoga has its own requirements.
Yoga practitioners say yoga mats that are too thick makes it harder for you to feel a strong connection to the floor, making you wobbly in poses such as the Tree Pose.
For the most ideal thickness, a standard yoga mat is about 1/8 inch thick although the thickest can reach up to 1/4 inch. Also, there are wafer-thin mats billed as ‘travel yoga mats’ that are merely 1/16 inch thick for easy packing.
All in all, you should consider how much room you have to stow your yoga mat, how portable you need it to be and whether you find comfort more important than floor connection or vice versa. Of course, if you have minimal space for storage, you have to pick a thinner mat.
You just have to determine your personal preferences in choosing how thick you want your yoga mat to be. One thickness isn’t ideal for all so there are several thicknesses to choose from.
2. Material
It is essential to determine the material your yoga mat is made of because it dictates its texture, stickiness, eco-friendliness, sponginess and durability. Most yoga mats are made of PVC, popular under the name vinyl.
For eco-friendly materials, there are some made up of recycled rubber, jute, and organic cotton or natural cotton (which means the fabric is not treated with synthetic finishes during manufacturing).
In this factor, you should also know your personal preferences. If you are allergic to latex, avoid yoga mats made of natural rubber. Also, if you want the best tried and true sticky mat, go for PVC material. It will also endure use for a longer period of time. even a decade.
3. Texture
In terms of this factor, a yoga mat’s texture determines how much traction it will provide. When doing yoga poses, the texture of the mat affects how much slipping and sliding you will do.
The right texture provides physical barriers to sliding while stickiness is the level of suction. Since texture affects how a yoga mat feels on your body, it’s also a factor for overall comfort.
Also, if you have sensitive skin, a more rough and bumpy yoga mat will aggravate you in savasana. The texture of yoga mats can either be man-made patterns of bumps or material-based.
For example, jute yoga mats come with an organic roughness while PVC mats have a softer feel despite having a slight texture. In general, there are varieties of texture to suit every person, from completely smooth to downright rough.
If you are a beginner and is prone to slipping, you shouldn’t buy a PVC mat. The added grip of other materials like rubber, jute or cotton that have tactile patterns is what you should opt for.
4. Stickiness
It is important to consider the stickiness of a yoga mat because it will keep you from sliding all over the place as well as maintaining your alignment when doing one pose after another. It also helps you hold poses for several seconds without losing control.
As of the material, PVC yoga mats have the best sticky factor. If you need help in staying on your poses but you do not prefer raised texture in your mat, this material is the best pick.
However, these yoga mats will only be effectively sticky when clean. So you have to make sure to keep them properly neat all the time. Handy yoga wash cleaners are available for instant clean when you notice your hands sliding on the material.
5. Durability
One of the most important factors you should look at in a yoga mat is its quality. It should last with you for several years despite using it on a regular basis.
A high-quality yoga mat that can come at a significant price is worth an investment. These types usually take a long time to show signs of wear compared to the inexpensive ones. Eco-friendly mats are typically priced the highest.
There are many cheap PVC mats but they can crumble and flake around the edges as well as develop wear in some areas due to pressure from the hands and feet.