I am sure there are many blog posts and articles written up on this very subject as there are yoga mat brands. That’s exactly the reason why an in-depth review not directly sponsored by the maker is such a valuable resource.
As a yoga teacher and/or practitioner, do you not get an inquiry as to what you use or what you would recommend? I sometimes do. This review I link would have been so helpful when asked such question. Sure, when I was starting out, I just got the lower priced and prettiest I can find at any store that sells them, but then, we start caring about the yoga mat when that mat does not really do the job. Yes, we start caring about the “quality”, especially when that first yoga mat starts spotting, fading, cracking, peeling – just generally not holding up nor does it provide the support or the grip you need. The mat selection should really be driven by the style of yoga one practices and the frequency of use as well. So reminded of these pointers, walking in with my eco-biodegradable thick recycled mat into a Iyengar yoga studio. The mat that works so well for morning vinyasa and evening yin flow, in Iyengar studio did not work so well. In fact, reprimanded by the teacher (that’s their style !) in traditional Iyengar class where they want to use a very thin pliable flappy mats, for example to hurl over yoga chairs for those supported inversions.
Here is that link by Consumer Advocates ! Is your favorite mat on the list? Are there a mat brand you had never heard of ? As we can’t individually try each of these mats, it’s so wonderful that those at Consumers’ Advocates’ researchers spent 250 hours to review 60 mats and broke it down for us based on our budget and needs. Thank goodness !
Thank goodness for those yogis who care at Consumers Advocates as the kind of mats that support your practice does matter – it’s not just a superfluous thing as much as your running shoes are not for that marathon, or even just a quick run around the block.
