There is a very wide variety of yoga mats on the market. You will find both synthetic and natural yoga mats, and they come in many different sizes and colors. Which is best?
Natural or synthetic?
There two main types of yoga mat made from natural materials. The first is mats manufactured from natural fibers such as cotton. These can be good if you are in a power yoga class such as ashtanga yoga (or astanga yoga) where you will move quickly from one pose to another. You may be more comfortable on natural fibers if you are sweating. If you will be placing your mat directly on a hard floor make sure you check that the mat has a non-slip surface on the underside.
You may also see some rubber mats. Rubber is of course a natural material. These will grip well on the floor but can become slippery if your feet and hands are perspiring.
The most popular form of yoga mat today is the sticky yoga mat which is made from synthetic materials. These are designed with good grip for you hands and cushioning for your feet and so that the mat will not slip on the floor. Sticky yoga mats are good security for stretch poses and for balances. They are also easy to roll and carry and lightweight.
Size
Yoga mats come in various sizes but you will want to be sure that it is longer than your height so that you can lie stretched out with both your head and heels on the mat. For most women a 6 ft mat will be long enough but some men will need an extra long size.
The width depends on how you use the mat and the poses that you will do. Usually if the mat is 1.5 times the width of your shoulders, that is fine. Keep in mind that a wider mat will make a longer roll and may be more awkward to carry.
If your yoga style includes a lot of sitting and lying relaxation and breathing exercises, you may want a thicker mat for comfort.
Color
The color may not seem important but it is! Having your yoga mat a colour you like will help you feel calm and relaxed when you are practicing. Always avoid very bright colours. For most people green or blue mats are best. {It is good if the color of your mat harmonizes with the room if you always practice in the same room}. Your mood will be affected by any clash of colours.
Some yoga mats have a grid pattern printed onto them. In the yoga poses this can help you check that your hands and feet are correctly positioned.
Caring for your yoga mat
A yoga mat should be easy to clean and care for. Remember that your mat is used on the floor and often in public spaces, so for hygiene you should wash it regularly. Some mats are machine washable, but keep it at low temperatures and do not spin or tumble dry. Others you can simply wipe down with a mild antiseptic household cleaning product. After cleaning the mat, leave it out to dry thoroughly. Never roll or store yoga mats when they are wet.
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