How to choose the ideal yoga mat from a yoga instructor. Whether you’re shopping for your first mat or looking for a thoughtful gift for a yogi in your life, this beginner-friendly guide covers everything you need to know for your future yoga classes. Start your 2025 strong with the right mat to support your fitness goals.
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Your Yoga Mat
Your yoga mat, your style
Take it from a yoga instructor, there are different types of mats for different types of yoga.
From chill yoga to intense power sessions, my beginner-friendly guide covers everything you need to know for about your future yoga classses.
Start your 2025 strong with the right mat to support your fitness goals.
Thickness
Down with the thickness
Most mats come in 5mm thickness, while some range from 3mm or 10mm.
A thicker mat will offer more cushion from the floor. You might opt for a thick yoga mat if you are sensitive in your knees or wrist joints.
They also make knee pads to layer over your mat for extra cushioning on your joints.
Material
Foam
The most common types of mat
Foam mats are made from PVC. These mats run on the softer side, which is great for more meditative and relaxing classes. I don’t recommend these for heated classes since they get slippery.
Rubber
Get a grip
Rubber mats are best for hot yoga because of its natural gripping quality.
Cork
All natural
Cork mats also help with grip. They are all natural, dense, and durable for an intense practice.
Styles of Yoga
Yin or Restorative
Mellow out your muscles
Yin yoga offers deep stretches by gently holding a pose for 3-5 minutes. Music, meditation, and breathing techniques will help relax your muscles by opening into the deep tissue over time.
Restorative yoga is similar to Yin, but the poses are usually held for 3-7 minutes.
Both styles use tools to provide cushioning and support as you melt into your pose.
Ideally for a relaxing style of yoga like Yin or Restorative, a foam mat would be the most comfortable. Keep in mind that any mat would work for a chill yoga session.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa means “flow”
Most yoga classes will be a vinyasa style class, which simply means “flow.” This will encompass Slow Flow as well as Power Yoga.
Hot Yoga
Stay stable while you sweat.
You would need a mat that offers grip for when you sweat.
Ideally, you would look for a mat made of rubber or cork to help keep your hands and feet in place as you flow.
This towel has rubber beads that grip to your mat, keeping you stable during your practice. A mat towel will help catch dripping sweat. Believe me, you will sweat!
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