Looking for a yoga mat?
Then you have come to the right place! We practice yoga of different styles. We know that both your personal requirements as well as your budget play an important role in choosing a yoga mat. In our shop you can find over 20 different models of yoga mats in many colors, design yoga mats with print motifs, yoga mats made of rubber, TPE, PVC or even yoga rugs made of cotton - from affordable beginner's yoga mats to premium models for specific needs.I want to buy a yoga mat, what is the right mat for me?The most important yoga accessory is your yoga mat, because a good feeling under your feet is the best foundation on which to build your practice. The best yoga mat to convey this feeling, is however, very individual. When looking for the right yoga mat for your needs, you should check the following criteria. Is your yoga practice more of a dynamic, sweaty workout? Then slip-resistance and a little cushioning is probably important for you. Or are you more at home in Yin Yoga, where you practice sitting and lying a lot? Then you may prefer to choose a lambswool yoga mat, which is cosy, comfortable and insulates you from the cold ground. Maybe you are traveling a lot and practicing yoga in studios and at yoga festivals, then you would need a light yoga mat that is easy to carry. If you practice mainly at home, the weight of the mat is less crucial. Are you a yoga beginner and want to find out if yoga is really right for you? Or you don’t want to spend too much money for other reasons? Then it makes sense to choose a reasonably priced mat or a low-priced set, which includes a yoga mat and also a yoga block and belt. For beginners, there are also mats that can help with the correct alignment and orientation through printed designs.
What exactly is a yoga mat and how is it different to a normal gymnastics mat?
Yoga mats are usually thinner than typical fitness mats. This helps you to have a stable stance when standing barefoot on the mat and establish a good contact with the floor. On heavily padded exercise mats that can be sometimes quite difficult. The thickness of yoga mats is therefore usually between 3.5 and 6 mm. Pilates and gymnastics mats are often 1-2 cm thick to provide optimal cushioning. If you have sensitive joints, a thicker mat would be better, 6 mm being the best choice for optimal cushioning. This is a very good compromise between stability and cushioning. If this is not enough, for example, when kneeling on the floor, blankets, yoga pads or a folded yoga mat can help. Many yoga practitioners want their mat to have a particularly non-slip surface. Especially in positions like the downward dog you can easily slip if the yoga mat is not sticky enough. Even if you only sweat a little bit, a non-slip yoga mat is essential. For hot yoga, microfiber yoga towels with anti-slip dots on the underside, like our Grip2 Yoga Towels can be very helpful.
What materials are yoga mats made of?
Yoga mats can now be found in many different materials. Many studios use PVC mats because of the longevity and durability of the material. People with latex allergies are also better off with a PVC mat than a rubber yoga mat. If you would like a mat which is environmentally friendly, then a yoga mat from our EcoPro series would be ideal. Natural rubber is a natural, renewable resource as well as offering very good traction. Natural rubber yoga mats are a bit heavier than PVC mats. A yoga mat made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), is on the other hand, lighter than a PVC mat. TPE is also recyclable, very light and has a pleasantly soft surface, which has more cushioning than PVC or rubber. As an overlay or an alternative to yoga mats, yoga rugs are often used. These are traditionally used in Ashtanga Yoga, as you can sweat vigorously in this rather dynamic style. Yoga rugs are made of cotton and often dyed or woven in a colorful way. There are also yoga mats with a mix of materials: for example, rubber mats that have been reinforced with textile fabric or finished with a PU coating, such as our Phoenix mat. This has a PU surface, which has a particularly pleasant feel and is especially non-slip in sweaty practice. By contrast, our Jute Pro yoga mat is a mix of jute and eco-friendly PER plastic. PER and TPE plastic are free of latex, rubber and PVC, which makes these mats interesting for allergy sufferers.
