Various Yoga Mats To Help You Master Your Downward Dog From Home,
Namast’ay home.
Like finding a pair of yoga pants with the right amount of stretch or a sports bra with enough support, yoga mats need to check off a few boxes as well. Many of us often ponder, budget, thickness, material, and texture are few factors you need to consider when buying a yoga mat. If you’re a beginner, you should grab a softer mat over a firmer option. Soft mats, commonly made from PVC, give you a bit more cushion as compared to firm mats that are made from rubber which help more advanced yoga aficionados’ with the tougher poses. If you’re going to be balancing on your head, you’re going to need some cushion. And if you’re just beginning, you need something to soft on your inexperienced hands and knees.
The correct or perfect mat can also prevent you from slipping, provide cushion to sensitive joints, and avoid sweat absorption. I like to line mine with a yoga towel for sweat absorption —so there isn’t odor following you out the door post-workout.
In my yoga mat shopping expeditions, I have narrowed down your some favorites, here are some of the best yoga mats to invest in, including a few of most reliable staples.
1
FOR THE CLASSPASS FANATIC
PRO® Yoga Mat
MANDUKA
Mandukamanduka.com
$120.00
Some instructors swear by this brand for its durability. The price point is on the high side, but for someone with a frequent practice, this mat is a great investment. Perhaps more suitable for those practicing hatha or more gentle styles.
2.
FOR THE YOGA NEWBIE
GAIAM
Gaiamgaiam.com
$29.98
If you’re embarking on your yoga journey and you’re not too concerned about thickness, Gaiam’s cult-favorite mat is the best place to start. It’s thick enough for everyday use and affordable so you can save more money for classes. Plus, the brand has a vast collection of unique mat designs.
3
BEST FOR STRENGTH TRAINING
eKO® Lite Yoga Mat 4mm
MANDUKA
mandukamanduka.com
$78.00
The Manduka yoga mat is my favorite .. well that’s because we use these mats at Equinox. And for someone who likes less cushion and perhaps is practicing Ashtanga or strong and quick vinyasa practices this mat is versatile and budget friendly. It is a go too mat for Todd Skoglund , he is a fabulous yoga instructor at Equinox Boston. Follow him at www.toddskoglund.com
4
FOR EXTRA CUSHION
The Reversible Mat 5mm
LULULEMON
Lululemonlululemon.com
$68.00
Lululemon’s mat will give your body just enough padding and support to take you from a plank to downward dog, and absorbs sweat easily so your next hot yoga session will be a breeze. I have these mat’s and during COVID this mat has been my go to for home use on any floor type. The price point is economical .
5
FOR ENVIRONMENTALISTS
Moon Phases Cork Yoga Mat
SCORIA
Scoriaetsy.com
$53.99
Many avid yogi enthusiasts who practice outdoors and or llve in a climate where you can take your practice to the outdoors this – No toxins or no chemicals, just an eco-friendly mat that brings you closer to the earth.
6
FOR THE PERFECT BALANCE
2-Color Yoga Mat (4mm)
GAIAM
Gaiamgaiam.com
$21.98
To perfect your posture, try buying a thinner mat (3 or 4mm). Thinner mats are ideal for practicing standing postures and balancing postures as it gives you a more concrete connection to the earth as explained my yogi instructors. As always, it would be recommended to keep a few hand towels near by to use for padding as these thinner mats are not too KNEE friendly .
7
FOR A FUTURISTIC FIND
Fit Smart Yoga Mat
Backslash amazon.com
Not only does this mat roll up all on its own, it also comes with a Amazon Alexa command that will guide you through a yoga routine. Bonus points for the bright coral color. I really enjoy this mat as I’m a girl of gadgets. It runs anywhere from $79 -$99
The yoga mat is more than a tool employed by the yogi. It is considered a metaphor. The yoga mat represents the space in which our minds might experience some relief from the stress-laden, chaotic, and unpredictable nature of daily life. Therefore, choose one fit for you. You may not find the perfect mat the first time around, but I’m sure once you find one that works for you, you will begin to experience all the benefits of yoga and its various practices to bring balance, serenity and peace to your life.
Ciao
Joanna Picardi