The best yoga mats can make a big difference in cultivating a yoga practice that feels grounding and sustainable, whether you’re a relative beginner who’s just getting used to the postures or a seasoned yogi who’s swapping the yoga studio for your living room.
“A varied home practice can help us feel really comfortable in our skin,” Angela Dawn, a certified yoga instructor at Y7 Studio, tells SELF. “It can be really tough to start, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The internet is actually a great place to find sequencing ideas, flows, and even full yoga video classes.”
If you’re ready to make yoga part of your home workout routine, here’s what you’ll need to know about finding the best yoga mat for you and your vinyasa flow. And, once you find a mat that works for you, consider adding yoga blocks and other helpful props to your practice.
How to Choose the Right Yoga Mat
Finding a good mat isn’t tough (you don’t have to spend a fortune to get one that’s supportive and grippy), but when you’re shopping, keep in mind all of your specific needs. Maybe you find thicker mats more comfortable for joint pain. Maybe perfect alignment is your goal, and you want a mat that provides you with ample space to stretch your legs out in the warrior II pose. And if you sweat a lot during your practice, a mat that reduces slipping might be top of mind.
Next, consider the mat’s portability. If you’re looking for a mat you can carry with you—even if it’s just into the backyard for some outdoor yoga—or a mat compact enough to stow under your bed, you may want to choose a thinner mat that fits in a yoga strap or rolls up easily to fit inside your yoga mat carrier.
Finally, it can be helpful to think outside the mat’s functionality for a minute and choose one that just brings a smile to your face with its design and feel (many mats come in colors that run the gamut from soothing to vibrant, and some even come in fun patterns). Need some inspiration? Below, we’ve highlighted the best yoga mats for all types of practices and bodies, from affordable bestsellers to top picks from yoga instructors and fitness pros.
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