How to choose a yoga mat
Yoga mats are the ultimate yoga accessory with many different options when it comes to texture, colour, material, pattern, colour and budget, so how do you choose?
I have happily used both a Lifeforme mat (about £100) and a Decathlon travel yoga mat (about £25). It’s not always the case that more expensive mats are ‘better’ but I do think a good quality yoga mat is a worthwhile investment if yoga is the movement for you.
Top tips
Ensure what you are buying is a purpose made yoga mat - not a pilates or standard gym mat. Yoga mats are often made to be non-slip which is crucial to protect us from injury and they’re often thinner than other mats which is important when it comes to foot/ankle stability in balancing poses. If you know you get sore knees using a thin mat, instead of opting for a thicker mat, I’d recommend getting a yoga kneepad or using a blanket under your knees.
Lines on your mat - mats with a line that runs down the centre from top to bottom, often as part of a pattern, can be fantastic to help you understand your alignment and foot placement.
Consider the weight before you purchase - you’ll be lugging this mat around so make sure you’re happy with the weight - this can vary a lot. If you want something lightweight, look at travel mats. Both my mats are travel versions which means they’re thinner and lighter than a standard mat and easy for me to ferry from place to place.
Sustainability is a hot topic - many yoga mat companies have ‘eco’ mentioned but always check they practice what they preach. You can get mats in many different materials including natural, eco-friendly materials, unfortunately, often more earth-friendly mats come with a higher price tag which isn’t accessible to everyone! So most importantly if you can get to a store to actually check mats out, or just natter to your class mates before purchasing, the more likely you are to find a mat that suits your comfort and practice, and if you choose a mat that suits you it will last you a long time!
The faded, well-loved pink mat I always roll out at the top of class is my Lifeforme mat - I have a travel version - and I can honestly say if yoga is a habit in your life that you’ll be keeping up then it’s a worthwhile investment. I have had mine for 8 years, through my travelling days, yoga teacher training and teaching multiple classes per week, and although it looks well worn it feels the same under my feet as always.
There’s also a host of accessories you can get and you may go into a store and feel like you need it all! If you struggle with your knees then a yoga knee pad or decent blanket can be helpful. If you’re find the infamous ‘step up’ the mat from down dog to forward fold tricky, then brick-shaped yoga blocks may be very useful for you. The rest of it…. treat yourself if you want to but ultimately all you need to do is roll out your mat and be guided through…
