Finding and caring for the right yoga mat

A Yoga mat has two basic purposes.  It needs to keep you from slipping and sliding while you go through your Asanas postures.  It also needs to provide padding between you and the floor if you are very thin and/or do hard fast workouts like Ashtanga Yoga. There are so many different yoga mats available and finding the right yoga mat depends on what type of yoga you prefer to practice and how many times you do yoga a week.

Lets talk about some of the different yoga mats out there:

Sticky Yoga Mat: This mat is great for people who practice Ashtanga yoga.  This fast-paced type of yoga favored by athletes requires a sticky yoga mat at least four millimeters thick.  This mat would also be good for someone that is very thin or frail and needs extra padding.

Manduka Yoga Mats: This mat costs a staggering $70 – $90 and this type of mat is known as the “Mercedes” of yoga mats.  The Manduka yoga mat has a top and a bottom side.  The top side keeps the Yogi from slipping and sliding, the bottom side stays flat against the surface of the floor and doesn’t bunch up during exercise.  The extra thickness makes it ideal for those who practice Ashtanga yoga.  If you are a serious Yogi who works on the Asana (postures) daily or almost daily, this mat is probably a good choice, despite its high cost.

Gaiam Yoga Mats: There are different types of Gaiam yoga mats. Lets start with the Gaiam rubber fitness mat.  This mat is intended for higher impact workouts, like Ashtanga or Power yoga.

Next is the Essentials Gaiam yoga mat.  This standard, non-latex mat is available in a rainbow of colours and several different styles.  This mat probably wouldn’t provide the cushioning needed for thin or frail Yogis, senior citizens, or Yogis who practice Ashtanga.

The Envirofit Jute Gaiam yoga mat is made from Jute plants and PER plastic, which is more environment friendly than substances used in standard yoga mats.

Finally, Gaiam offers the Premuim Bene-Fit Eco-friendly mat.  This mat is thicker than the Envirofit Jute mat, therefore more appropriate for Ashtanga Yogis.

Prana Yoga Mats: The deluxe sticky Prana yoga mat was designed by Yogis for Yogis, as the adhesive properties of the textured Dura grip surface provides confidence in any pose while allowing free flow of movement.  There is a stretch – resistant membrane in this Prana yoga mat, which allows to keep its shape in any pose and provide ultimate in comfort, support,and cushioning.

Now that you have found the right mat.  How do you take care of it?  There are several ways to clean your mat:

Spray Bottle Method: If your mat is lightly soiled, you can use a spray bottle or a damp cloth.  Wet the soiled surface with warm water then wipe it dry with a clean terry cloth towel.

Bath Tub Method: For heavier soiling,wash your mat in a tub of cool water and mild detergent.  Use only a small amount of detergent because any residue may cause your mat to become slippery when it’s wet with perspiration.  Rub the mat with a soft cloth or let it soak.  Rinse thoroughly, and hang to dry.

Laundry Machine Method:   Most experts advise against this as it can put a lot of wear and tear on your mat, causing it to degenerate at a faster rate.  Also, there is a small risk of the mat getting stuck in the turbine with this method.  If you do wash your mat in the machine, make sure you use a small amount of mild detergent.  Hang to dry.

New mats feel slippery when you first buy them.  They will become sticky after 10-15 sessions.  You can wash them with mild detergent to get the mat sticky right away.