CHOOSING THE RIGHT YOGA MAT

My most recent yoga mat was in a state of disrepair when I finally parted with it 3 weeks ago in Bali. By that time, it had been ravaged by humidity and leaf-cutter ants in the Amazon, journeyed to Buenos Aires, Toronto, Melbourne and, finally, Bali, where whatever was left of it was even further shredded apart during a 1 month long yoga course. So it was time to say good bye to a long-time travel companion. It was time to purchase a new mat!

It's been a while since I've purchased a new yoga mat. I stockpiled them years ago for some reason and have always had a supply on-hand. But I'm overseas at the moment and don't have access to my inventory so I'm faced with some decisions. I'm hoping that by taking you through the process with me, I can help shed some light on the topic for when you go out and buy your mat.

There are a lot of yoga mats out there. But how do you know which is the right yoga mat for you? Well, there are some things you should consider before making that purchase:

• How thick should my yoga mat be?
• Sticky mat or yoga rug? Or both?
• What about eco-friendliness?

And, of course, cost is always a factor.

All of these questions boil down to personal preference. No one can tell you which yoga mat is right for you. But I hope I can help narrow down the options.

Sticky Mat vs. Yoga Rug

Most people who practice yoga practice on a sticky mat either made of plastic, PVC, rubber (synthetic or natural), jute, or cork. The non-slip surface of the sticky mat is great for downward dog and standing poses. Grip is essential in these poses.

The yoga rug, which is often used by Astanga yoga practitioners, is another good option. Why? Because it absorbs sweat (great also for Bikram yoga) and it offers a smoother surface when you want to practice things like Astanga-style vinyasa (ie. jump through and jump back). Additionally, you can use it as a blanket in savasana and it is easier to wash than a sticky mat.

I often will use both - the sticky mat first during my warm up, sun salutations and standing postures. Then I lay the rug on top of my mat to continue the rest of my practice from seated postures right through to savasana.

Thickness

Sticky yoga mats come in a variety of thickness. They can be anywhere from .5 mm to 1/4 inch (approx. 6 mm). Many are of the opinion that the thicker the mat the better because of the cushioning that a thick mat provides. However, I prefer the thinner mats. The extra padding makes me feel unstable in positions like downward dog or balances. I like feeling the floor. Also, as a traveler, I need a mat that can easily go where I go. In the supine positions, a thick mat is great but you can always had towels or blankets on top of your mat for added padding.

Eco-Friendliness

When deciding whether to purchase an eco-friendly mat, consider that you will not only be helping the environment, you will also be helping yourself. Inhaling the chemicals released from a synthetic plastic or rubber mat is toxic to your health, so why do it? Yes, these mats are likely to be slightly cheaper than those made with the environment in mind. But at what other costs?

If you decide to go completely natural with something like a jute or cork mat, keep in mind that these mats are made from porous plant material, which absorbs sweat which will eventually break down the fibres of the mat. But it's all-natural and biodegradable, so it's not a bad option.

Your other option is a natural rubber mat. These are made from renewable material and are not processed in the same chemically-hazardous way that the synthetic kind are. If you do opt for this type of mat, then make sure it is latex- and phthalate-free to avoid having to breathe in these harmful chemicals.

I would suggest staying clear of mats made from plastic, PVC and synthetic rubber altogether. Why? They are not biodegradable and they are made from chemicals that are released into the air which we breathe.

So which yoga mat or rug should you buy? You'll have to go out to your local yoga studio, sporting goods or big box store. Or hop online.

Here's the one I want:
Manduka Eko Superlite Travel Yoga Mat