Yoga mats are used to help prevent slipping during yoga poses. You can also use it in class to “define your space” and it helps absorb sweat when you’re practising Bikram Yoga. Some yoga practitioners in India just found it provided a clean space to practice. They can also be used to help cushion your body from very hard surfaces, such as wooden studio floors.

In ancient India, many yogis used deer or tiger skin or even kusha grass to do poses on, however, due to various reasons (tigers wanting their skins back) the modern yoga mat was created.

Yoga mats vary in material, sizes and thickness. You can choose your mat depending on the Yoga Style you practice and personal preferences.

For Bikram Yoga, it’s best to use a mat that is absorbent and a bit thicker than average.Yogitoes has a great non-skid yoga towel that absorbs sweat while staying in place. Click on the picture to find out more about Yogitoes Skidless Yoga Towel by clicking on the picture.

If you want a more eco-friendly yoga mat, there’s a high end and low end option. Bean has a PVC free sticky mat and Manduka provides its eKo mat in their Eco Yoga Kit.

Finally, If you’re just interested in a plain, old yoga mat to workout on I would recommend buying one at your local store or buying YogaAccessories Mats
Which will be great for a home practice and or a beginner and can be bought for just $10.00 USD.

If you do decide to look around your local store here are a few tips to help you decide what to buy:

• Make sure that the size is right for you. Most yoga mats are 72″ / 182 cm long and 24″ / 60 cm wide.
• Ensure that the yoga mat is made of a material that will not slide. Safety first!
• If you suffer from allergies, take a good look at what the mat is made of. Choose an eco friendly mat made with natural material.
• make sure that the mat is will be durable and thick enough to provide support for your body.