10 Best Yoga Mats for Every Style of Flow, In response to Experts

Finding the proper mat could make an enormous difference in cultivating a yoga practice that feels comfortable, grounding, and sustainable. Whether you favor to do classes at home or at your local studio, here’s what it is advisable to learn about finding the perfect yoga mat to your flow.

How you can select the proper yoga mat

Thickness

A thicker mat is good if you happen to’re coping with slight joint pain, practicing on a hardwood floor, or primarily using it for floor poses and stretching. With enough supportive cushioning, you possibly can deal with your practice somewhat than on any uncomfortable pressure points. Alternatively, some people may find it tougher to balance and flow at a faster pace on a thick, cushy mat—wherein case, a thinner mat (under five millimeters) might feel higher. “Take heed to your body: A thicker mat might feel far more comfortable to your sensitive knees, or you would possibly find that you just’re sinking an excessive amount of and want something flatter,” Annie Moves, a registered yoga instructor at Alo Moves tells SELF.

Length

Most traditional yoga mats are 71 or 72 inches long, but yow will discover options which can be each shorter (68 inches) and longer (80 inches). In the event you’re on the taller side, it could be price finding an extended mat that’ll accommodate your body, since many yoga poses involve a large stance (think warrior II, downward dog, and goddess pose).

Texture and Material

In the event you sweat so much or ceaselessly attend hot yoga classes, using a mat with a nonslip surface can assist keep you from sliding around. Those made with open-celled materials like polyurethane foam are particularly absorbent, which should help remove excess moisture and reduce the chance of slipping, but they do require regular cleansing to forestall bacteria buildup. Bringing a yoga towel is one other approach to avoid practicing in sweat puddles, and a few mats even include a towel in-built.

There are also textured yoga mats, which feature grippy nubs along the highest that may assist you feel such as you’re actually sticking to it. “You too can get mats with dual surfaces, featuring a smooth surface on one side and textured grip on the opposite,” Chelsea Jackson Roberts, a registered yoga teacher and instructor at Peloton in NYC, tells SELF. In the event you practice each hot fast-paced yoga and in addition slow flow yoga, a flexible option akin to this may be your most suitable option.

Portability

A thinner, lightweight mat is an important option if you happen to often take your mat on the go, because it might pack away easily. It should have the ability to slot in a carrying strap, roll up into your yoga-mat carrier, and even fold down right into a compact square.

The perfect yoga mats

Whether you’re a relative beginner who’s just getting used to the postures or a seasoned yogi, we’ve highlighted the perfect yoga mats for all kinds of practices and bodies. We included budget-friendly bestsellers together with top picks from yoga instructors and fitness pros. And once you discover a mat that works for you, consider adding yoga blocks and other helpful props to your practice.