How to choose the best yoga mat

You should own the type of yoga mats that suit your (life)style

One of the great things about yoga is that it doesn't require much equipment. However, a good yoga mat is very important to get the most out of your practise and to stay safe. Here are a few things to take into consideration when selecting the mat to use for your practise.

Yoga mats are an integral part of our every day yoga practice. In fact, there are several types of yoga mats that are available in the marketplace. You can select yours from a variety of yoga mats that will depend on the type of yoga you perform.

If you want a mat that is perfect to adequately cover your regular practice area and provide stability when practicing the postures, Sticky Mats are just right for you. These yoga mats are thinly made in addition to coming in a broad variety of colors. They are very light, which makes them easy for you to carry around for class.

The good thing about these yoga mats is that it has a reference guide which is indicated by symbols that clearly shows you where to put your feet and hands. If you are a novice, naturally you are not yet oriented and used to the hand and foot placements. These yoga mats are the perfect aid for mastering those new poses. Also, the sticky surface of these mats will prevent you from slipping.

However, there is a simple trick on how to keep the mat sticky. The technique is to sprinkle a small amount of water on the mat and allow it air dry. Using sticky mats is appropriate and applicable to all forms of yoga.

There are also those mighty thick sticky mats which are known as the Ultra Double Thickness Mats. These yoga mats provide cushioning and durability which is very functional in applying to some certain poses. These ultra thick yoga mats are perfect for Ashtanga practitioners because they have the distinct tendency to move or jump from one position to another.

Most people especially appreciate using the extra thick yoga mats because it provides the most convenient cushioning that no other mats can provide. Practitioners commonly use these mats in their classes.

Travel Mats, as the name implies is ideal for traveling. If you are the travel-type person and couldn’t get away with your daily dosage of yoga exercise, this would be the ultimate choice. Travel mats can be thrown in your luggage or trunk when you are on a trip or on a holiday.

Travel mats are solely made because it should be handy. Its thin property is perfect to carry anywhere. You can just fold it and shoot it in your bag and you’re on the go.

In styles where the practitioner sweat a lot, such as Ashtanga or Bikram Yoga, cotton mats are perfect for you, because they will readily absorb the sweat. This is important because it will keep the surface of the mat adeqatly dry and confortable. Even more importantly however, if your mat is not absorbent, afterward it is utterly unsafe because wet surface can be very slippery. The damp mat is good for gripping so that your feet and hands firmly stay just where you plant them.

The Yoga Mat Bag is a natural part of your regular yoga activity. It is perfect for carrying your yoga mats to work, class or anywhere you wish to go. You don’t have to miss as session of your yoga practice especially if it’s something you can’t live without.

The yoga mat bag has ample space for your extra shirts, water bottle and other accessories. With your Yoga Mat Bag, you are confident that you don’t leave any important at home.

Hopefully this quick run-through on different yoga mats has been useful to you, so that you can select the one(s) that suit your needs.

My personal favourite among yoga mats is the new EnviroMat from the Wai Lana yoga shop. It is great to practise on and is also, like the name implies, gentle on the enviroment.

Above all else however, don't forget to practise on your yoga mat every day!