For a long time, yoga has a positive effect on the mind and body, so it helps to increase strength and flexibility, reduce stress and improve overall physical and mental health.

Compared with other fitness activities, yoga requires minimal equipment to start. Although most studios provide everything a beginner needs, buying your own personal mat, clothes dedicated to yoga and some other items can make your yoga experience more enjoyable.

Yoga mat
No matter where you practice, the right yoga mat is essential. Working on carpets, wet towels or soft exercise mats can cause injury and frustration. Most studios and gyms provide cushions for public use, but having your own cushions may be a more hygienic option.

Although there are many options, most yoga mats are well suited for any style of yoga. Usually, your choice will depend on personal preference. That is to say, understanding the differences will help you choose the mat that suits your individual needs.

Thickness and weight of yoga mat
The types of yoga mats range from ultra-thin to compact, weighing only 2 pounds. To an easy quarter-inch beast weighing 7 pounds.

If you are not sure where to start, choose a cushion that is about 1/8 inch. Thick (or 3.175 mm), quite standard thickness. These mats are very suitable for strong flow mats. They keep the floor in firm contact and help maintain stability in various postures. Compared with thicker cushions, they are also less likely to be blocked and blocked by you as you flow from one pose to another.

Thinner mats can help improve the stability of the yoga style through more active postures or balanced, concentrated postures. When the posture becomes more strenuous, look for a mat with a textured surface to maintain better grip.

Thicker cushions can provide additional cushioning and are the best choice for more treatments. For example, if you like restorative yoga, which is a style with fewer poses and a long-lasting style, then you may want to use a softer, more cushioned mat. Thicker cushions are also more suitable for yogis with forearms and kneeling positions, as well as for yogis with soft knees or joint pain. But in a standing position, it may be more difficult to balance.

If your yoga plan includes traveling by air, look for travel mats designed for carrying. Travel mats are very light and thin, and smaller than traditional mats, so they are easy to carry around. Remember, you will sacrifice the cushioning properties of the travel mat.

Yoga mat material and durability
When choosing the material of the yoga mat, you can choose any one, from cheap PVC to environmentally friendly natural rubber. Which material you choose will affect the price, weight, grip and durability of the cushion. Generally, thicker cushions last longer than thinner ones. In other words, the durability of the mat is also related to the material of the mat.

PVC is a highly durable plastic material that is easy to clean and has excellent floor grip. However, PVC yoga mats do not absorb water and become slippery when sweating heavily. PVC is latex-free and good for people allergic to latex, but it is not biodegradable and not as environmentally friendly as other options.

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) is an artificial mixture, usually made of plastic and rubber polymers. TPE felt may be more environmentally friendly than PVC, and some can be completely recycled. Compared with PVC mats of the same thickness, TPE yoga mats are generally less durable, but still provide good adhesion.

There are many sources of ecological/natural mats, including natural rubber, organic cotton and jute. Compared with other options, the environmental protection mat has a slightly worse grip on the floor, but its natural texture provides traction for your body. Eco-friendly mats lack the ten-year durability of PVC, but if you put sustainability first, they will be at the top.