What to look for in a Yoga Exercise Mat

A Yoga Exercise Mat will be one off your first purchases if you are interested in starting yoga. It will provide a soft surface on the hard floors you will find in studios and gyms.

A Yoga mat will also provide grip for your hands and feet while in a pose, and also provide a soft surface on the hard floors you will find in yoga studios and gyms. Many studios will provide a mat, but having your own means you can practice at home.

There are various types of mats, including designs for Ashtanga Yoga, mats that are extra long, mats that are easier to travel with. A yoga studio will generally provide mats, but if you are just starting, buying a beginners mat would be a good starting option. It would allow you to practice at home, be more hygienic and in general should enhance your practice

Thickness
How comfortable it is, is based on a mat's thickness and firmness. Most mats are too thin and provide little if any cushioning, the last thing you want to be thinking about while practicing is how hard the floor is. Other mats are thick - yet maybe too soft to provide enough support. A good mat should be thick enough and soft enough to provide grip, yet firm enough to provide enough support and cushion.

It should feel sticky
Grip is usually referred to as the stickiness of the mat. A quality mat will conform around your hands and feet to provide a secure grip. It should not slide around the floor, remain flat and no matter how much you sweat should provide you with the same amount of grip.

Care
Caring for your should consist of nothing more than occasionally wiping it down with clean cloth dampened with warm water. You can get special hygienic sprays, that could be useful if sharing your mat.

It is a good idea to get a yoga mat bag to help protect your mat