Your mat is the one piece of yoga gear you’ll touch every single time you practice. It’s where your hands press, your feet root and your forehead rests. So it’s worth choosing well. If you’re wondering how to choose a yoga mat, here’s what actually matters, and what I’ve learned from watching thousands of students roll theirs out.
Start with how you practice
Before you look at colors or prints, ask yourself a few questions:
- What kind of yoga do you do most? Flowing classes need grip. Slower classes need comfort.
- Do you sweat a lot? Grip matters even more.
- Will you carry it? Weight matters if you’re walking or commuting to class.
- Do you have sensitive knees or wrists? A little more cushion may help.
- Do you care what it’s made of? Materials matter for your body and the planet.
Yoga mat materials
Cork
Cork is one of my favorite mat surfaces. It’s a natural material with a warm, earthy feel. Many people find cork gets grippier when it’s a little damp, which makes it a nice choice for sweaty flow classes. It also tends to feel clean and pleasant against the skin.
Natural rubber
Natural rubber is grippy, dense and stays put on the floor. It’s often used as a base layer under cork or other surfaces. If you have a latex allergy, check the materials carefully, since natural rubber comes from latex.
Jute and cotton
Woven natural fibers have a textured, rustic feel. Cotton is traditional for some styles of yoga and is lovely for meditation and slower practice.
Synthetic mats
Many mats are made from PVC, TPE or other synthetic materials. They’re often lightweight and inexpensive, but they’re plastics. In our eco shop, we focus on pure, natural materials because what you bring into your home and onto your skin matters to us.
How thick should a yoga mat be?
Thickness is a balance between cushion and stability.
- About 3 mm or less: thin and light, good for travel and very stable for balancing, but less cushion.
- About 4 to 5 mm: a happy middle. Enough comfort for knees in most poses, and still stable for standing balances. This is where most people land.
- 6 mm and up: extra cushion for sensitive joints, but it can feel wobbly in balances and is heavier to carry.
If you’re not sure, choose something in the middle and add a folded blanket under your knees when you need it.
Grip
A slippery mat is the fastest way to frustration. Your hands sliding in downward dog makes the pose harder and less safe. Natural rubber and cork both tend to offer good grip. Whatever you choose, keep your mat clean, since oils and lotions make any surface slicker.
Size
A standard mat is around 68 to 72 inches long and 24 inches wide. If you’re tall, look for a longer mat so your head and feet both fit in savasana. Wider mats give you more room to spread out.
Our natural cork and rubber mat
In our shop, we carry a Natural Cork and Rubber Yoga Mat with a cork top layer and a natural rubber base. It’s 4.5 mm thick and about 72 by 26.8 inches, so it’s a little wider than a standard mat. It comes in a range of printed designs, from simple alignment lines to lotus, sun and moon and mudra motifs.
Props that make your practice easier
A good mat is the start. A few simple props can make your home practice much more comfortable:
- A strap helps you reach in forward folds, binds and shoulder openers. Our extra long cotton yoga strap is woven from 100% natural cotton with a D-ring buckle and comes in 6, 8 and 10 foot lengths.
- A block brings the floor closer in standing poses and supports restorative shapes. Our lightweight high-density yoga block comes in a natural cork option.
- A blanket is the most versatile prop of all. Fold it under knees and hips or roll it into a simple bolster.
How to care for your mat
- Wipe it down after practice with a damp cloth.
- Let it dry fully before rolling it up.
- Keep it out of direct sun for long periods.
- Roll it with the top surface facing out to help it lie flat.
Do you need your own mat to start?
Not at all. If you practice at our studio, you can rent a mat for $3, and members get complimentary mat rental and personal mat storage. Many people practice on studio mats for a while, then buy their own once they know what they like. Come try a few classes, see what feels good under your hands and decide from there. Our class types page is a good place to find your first class.
Visit the shop
You can find our mats and props in the shop at the studio in Rockville Centre, or browse the full collection online. Members get 5% off in our Green Shoppe.
