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5-point guide to buy a yoga mat

Shamlee Pathare

July 9, 2019

Heading to your yoga class but think the mat is wearing you down? Time to get a brand new yoga mat, one that keeps you stable, is comfortable and easy to carry around.

Shopping for a yoga mat used to mean returning home with a PVC mat in blue, purple or pink. But these, days mats are available in different colours, patterns and materials.

Use our handy guide to get home a yoga mat that’s just right for you. After all, yoga can change your life!

The Thickness

 The thickness of a yoga mat is what makes it comfortable. A mat that’s too thin won’t provide enough cushioning but a mat that’s too thick may not allow you a connection to the floor. The standard mat – 1/8-inch thick – is the most preferred. The thicker ones go up to ¼ inch while travel yoga mats can be only 1/16 inch thick. Pragya Bhatt, a yoga expert with HealthifyMe, suggests trying out a mat before buying it. “Your feet should not sink into the material and your knees should not hurt when you stand on them,” she says.The thickness

The Material

This factor dictates the surface, texture, stickiness, “give” and eco-friendliness. Usually, yoga mats are made of PVC. However, new versions are available in jute, organic cotton and natural/recycled rubber. Avoid rubber if you’re allergic to latex. A PVC mat is the hardiest, has the most “give” and will last the longest. “Try and avoid the cheaper PVC variety because they breed bacteria because of the sweat,” Pragya says.yoga mats

The Stickiness

 A sticky mat ensures that you don’t slide all over the place as you glide from one pose to the other. It helps you maintain your alignment and stay put in your pose. PVC mats have the highest stickiness but this gets affected if they are dirty. Wash before using and wash whenever you find yourself sliding.yoga mats

The Texture 

The grain and texture decree how much traction your yoga mat provides. Like stickiness, texture affects your slipping and sliding. While stickiness uses the power of suction to keep you in one place, texture provides small, almost unnoticeable, physical barriers. Textured PVC mats seem softer than jute ones. If you don’t want PVC, get for a rubber, jute or cotton mat with a tactile pattern.The texture

About the Author

Shamlee seemed destined to take up a career in Yoga, having started practicing the discipline at the tender age of 3. She completed her Master's and her Bachelor's degrees in Yoga Therapy from the S-VYASA University. A specialist in Diabetes and Stress Management, Shamlee has conducted research on how Yoga aids individuals with common ailments at AIIMS, New Delhi. A former member of the Indian Yoga team, she is presently a Yoga Team Lead at HealthifyMe. Shamlee believes Yoga is the answer to any individual's health issues, whether they are physical or mental.


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3 responses to “5-point guide to buy a yoga mat”

  1. Hey…This is an amazing blog.
    I hope it will helpful useful for me in choosing the right yoga mat
    Thanks for sharing!

  2. Nice article. Thank you fr providing information that we should keep in mind while buying yoga mats.

  3. Thanks for sharing valuable information it really helped me to find out the best yoga mat.

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