| As well as having an army of celebrity devotees | | | | Cotton mats can be padded using most commonly |
| yoga, is one of the most enjoyed and rewarding | | | | wool, but also buckwheat hulls, to make for an even |
| pastimes. Highly beneficial for physical and mental | | | | more comfortable experience. Cotton yoga mats |
| conditioning, yoga is truly a worldwide phenomenon. | | | | may also be backed with natural rubber for added |
| Selecting your own ideal yoga mat will depend on a | | | | grip and use on harder slippy surfaces. |
| number of variables, but is important to note that | | | | All natural or organic yoga mats are made using |
| the ideal mat for one, will be useless for another. | | | | natural rubber, and all natural plant extract materials |
| Your intended yoga usage is critical to choosing your | | | | such as cotton, hemp, jute and other fibrous grasses. |
| perfect yoga mat. This will include the style of yoga | | | | The manufacture of these organic mats will also not |
| you wish to practice, any physical weakness or | | | | contain any non biodegradable chemicals in any of the |
| ailments you may need extra support for, as well | | | | growing or manufacturing processes. Though this |
| practical considerations such as will you be traveling | | | | level of eco-friendly yoga mat will cost considerably |
| with your mat, or leaving it at home or at your local | | | | more than, the cheaper mass production mats. |
| yoga club. | | | | If you are looking for eco friendly yoga mats you will |
| The obvious considerations regard the vigor required | | | | be avoiding PVC at all costs. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
| for your style of yoga, as sweat, and the slippage | | | | is claimed to release dioxins into the atmosphere |
| associated with sweaty hands and feet, can be very | | | | which have been linked to various types of cancer. |
| dangerous when practicing yoga. Also if you need | | | | So though natural rubber can really smell when new, |
| extra support, a thick sticky mat, will be far less | | | | it must be better than PVC. Standard size for mats is |
| transportable than a thinner travel yoga mat. | | | | 24 inches by 68 inches, though there are both bigger |
| At minimum you will want your yoga mat to be, safe | | | | and smaller options available. Thickness varies from a |
| or suitable for your style of yoga, and conditions | | | | few millimeters to 60 millimeters for an extra thick |
| (hard, slippery floor for example). You will want it to | | | | mat. |
| be comfortable for you, durable would be nice, | | | | Cost vary as much as design with yoga mats starting |
| environmental friendly possibly, and if your planning to | | | | for as little as $20 and going as high as $140 for a |
| travel with your mat, you may value lightweight and | | | | top end branded mat such as the Manduka Black Pro |
| easily cleanable, if your going to throw it down on a | | | | yoga mat. |
| beach somewhere. | | | | With the popularity of yoga holidays growing annually, |
| The right mat will help both your balance and be | | | | you may need a practical and transportable yoga |
| supportive and comfortable to work on, this is very | | | | travel mat. This type of mat will be only a few |
| important as if you are serious about yoga, you will | | | | millimeters thick, and role up tight and light for easy |
| spend a lot of time with your mat. | | | | storage, and carrying if you are combining yoga with |
| If you prefer the gentler forms of yoga, and also | | | | trekking. Which is a lovely way of seeing your chosen |
| meditation, you should avoid the sticky yoga mats, | | | | holiday destination, while enjoying the many benefits |
| and will be better with one of the natural fibre mats | | | | of practicing yoga. |
| such as hemp, cotton or jute. | | | | |