Yoga Mats for the Masses
Sayde Alexandrescu
April 2019
“A mat becomes a flying carpet.” –Gabriel Halpern
As yoga practitioners, we spend at least one hour per week on the mat, working on a mindful practice that we can carry into the rest of the hours off of the mat. The foundation of that work should make you feel safe, strong, and content, on a great yoga mat.
Unfortunately, like many purchases in our consumer-based society, there are enough options to make your mind and pulse race when buying a yoga mat. I can put the OM back into your yoga experience. Before we are done, you will have a perfect mate for a mat, and learning how to clean and maintain it for a lasting practice.
While sizes vary, most mats are 24” wide, with a standard length of 68” (long mats measure 72” and super spacious mats are 80” long). Thickness will be different based on the type. The main types of yoga mats available for purchase are:
1. Sticky
2. Waffle
3. Black Mat
4. Airex
5. TPE/PER
6. Latex/Rubber
7. Jute
8. Cotton
Sticky Mats
Sticky mats are thin (1/8-3/16”), lightly textured on the top and offer more hold for practitioners who are advanced, sweaty, or beginners with poise issues. Great for grouchy ankles and wrists, sticky mats allow you to feel the tack of the mat and the stability of the earth without sinking in too far. These mats come in a rainbow of colors and are sold are a great discount in bulk, so are found at many gyms. They are second lowest in price, usually costing from $20-$25. When they wear out, they either shed, flatten where you use them most (hand/foot spots), or tear. I have three that have made it 7 years with use only once/week and 6 machine washes per year. They do need to be washed, though! These mats seem to hold smell more that others. As Sarah of Chicago says: “We had many good months together before Blue started to shred apart and smell like Fritos. And since my ashtanga jump-throughs had
been more akin to foot scraping than floating,[…] washing it made the holes bigger.”
The sticky mat is the original Western mat, developed after a group of yoga teachers no longer had access to the carpet remnants that they were saving from the landfill and putting under the paws of their students. When the carpet leftovers were no longer available, the teachers (later founders of the company Tapas) made another eco move to contact plastic companies and make use of leftover chemicals. Sticky mats (and waffle, pilates and many hot yoga mats) are made from PVC. That is the smell that hits you when you open a new mat (or one that has been sitting in a hot car on a summer day). The ecoyoga.co.uk website explains that in order to make PVC soft and “sticky”; many chemicals are added which are toxic to humans and to the environment. If cancer runs in your family and you plan to be on your mat more than once/week, I would suggest that you look for a different mat. Otherwise, just open it on a sunny day and hang it outside to be cleaned by mother nature. Nearly half of the chemicals will fly out with a couple of days of sun and breeze. Sticky mats are latex-free.
Waffle Mats
Waffle mats are a little more cushy than the basic sticky mat, and hold up against tears and machine washing better than their sticky counterparts. They aren’t called waffle mats (I am looking to start a trend here) but are recognizable by the tight waffle-like texture, usually on both sides of the mat. This allows them to be reversible, too. They are not for the sweaty or advanced student as they allow you to slip. I appreciate the spongy texture and extra 1/16” cushion, but still go back to the sticky mat for an advanced practice with lots of upside-downedness (again, trying to start a trend with that one). Mostly, these mats are cheap and cute. Locally you can find them at Target, Walmart, and TJ Maxx, often for as low as $10.
Thicker waffle mats (also called “super,” “thick,” “pilates,” etc) run 3/16” to 1/2.” These mats are great for grouchy knees. They are also great if you are practicing on cold, hard floors. Most are made from standard materials (PVC) and they get slipperier as they get wetter, but the Baby Boomers are helping to steer this product to be soft and safe. The thicker the mat the more expensive, but well worth it if your knees ache when you are in tabletop. Careful if you buy a mat bag/strap/carrier to make sure that it fits over your thicker mat.
The Black Mat
One of the most durable mats you can buy is The Black Mat (by Manduka or Hugger Mugger). Heavy, dense, thick and shred-proof, this mat is made in emissions-free factories. The bottom of the mat is designed to be slip proof, and, though the top surface is a bit slippery the first couple times that you use it, this mat will learn to hold you like a hammock. These mats are not cheap, but the plan is never to waste or replace it, as the manufacturing is inspired by tires. There is a multi-stage molding process that includes threads and high heat. These mats start at $80. They are the gold standard, and I have one for each location that I teach. They are heavy for those with weakness and they and not 100% slip-proof.
Swiss Airex Mat
For a much lighter, easier to carry mat, the Swiss Airex mat offers a texture akin to silly putty…just divine. Something about the product keeps it from ever feeling too cold (even when left in your car on a winter day). It is soft, malleable, and thin, and it doesn’t shred easily. The nubby surface offers some grip but does not keep people who sweat from slipping. It is, also, moisture resistant so it makes for a more hygienic mat. This mat is made from PVC foam, so it is latex-free.
Thermal Plastic Elastomer (TPE)
Next we tackle the “eco” mats. Thermal Plastic Elastomer, or TPE, is a material that is composed of carbon and hydrogen and is also referred to as PER. These mats are environmentally-friendly as they contain no heavy metals, PVC, nor are toxic materials are used
during production. They are still manufactured as by-products of plastics companies but with ingredients that are safer. I have one of the earliest PER mats, which looks like a thick sticky mat with more of a waffle texture on top, and I love the color and lack of smell.
Even I slip around on that mat a bit (and I certainly don’t crack a sweat when I teach), so I usually lend it to a student who needs the cushion under their knees. The newer mats have a rubber (skid-free) bottom and are thinner. These mats start at $25 and the cost goes up from there.
Latex or Rubber
Mats that are referred to as latex or rubber are coming from the same place, our beloved rainforest. These mats do not cause cancer, can be renewed if you plant a rubber tree, and feel so nice to the touch. They weigh a bit more than sticky or waffle mats because they are more dense, strong and offer more grip than most PVC mats. Latex/Rubber mats are supposed to be good for students who sweat, as well. Latex allergy sufferers beware! The rest of us, indulge.
Even mats by another name are now embracing rubber as the (slip-proof) bottom to their mats. Manduka sells mats that are lighter and more eco than their Pro, made from biodegradable natural tree rubber, manufactured with zero waste and with no harmful plasticizers. Harmony Professional Jade makes a great product, as do all of the big yoga mat companies (Hugger Mugger, Gaiam, Barefoot Yoga). If you come to an impasse in your life and you no longer need it, this mat is recyclable.
Jute
Jute, also called hessian, is a natural fiber that is used like linen but has a higher fiber (wood-like) content. It is usually woven, which increases strength and massages the fibers to be more supple. Jute will be paired with rubber or TPE/PER in your yoga mat, and makes this a very long-lasting product. Jute is beautiful as well as functional; the grip and natural color of the jute make these mats ideal for home practice on carpet. They are natural and absorb your natural oils with use, therefore becoming very sweat-proof. Jute mats usually cost $30 and really vary from company to company, so take your time to find the one that is right for you.
It is important to note, neither Jute, Latex/Rubber nor Airex mats should not be left for long periods of time in direct sunlight (not even in the back window of your vehicle), as sun will cause the mat to dry out, lose grip and bleach. Other mats can bleach with direct sunlight, too.
Cotton
Cotton yoga mats come in two kinds: rugs or thin cushions with cotton covers. This is the trend that started it all; when crowded ashram visitors in India needed to define their space, they used rugs. Nowadays we like to call them “cotton mats,” but they are your tightly woven rugs that aren’t slippery when wet and can be washed time after time. This is how I began my home practice, with a cheap rug from K-Mart. Then, I was weird; now I would be eco and cutting-edge. These mats have grown in popularity and quality, and may be the most hypo-allergenic product that you can use for your yoga practice. Honestly, I have never used the cotton cover over cushion. When I find someone who has, I’ll let you know. In the pictures, the people practicing with them seem the most relaxed. I worry that I’d twist an ankle.
Other Considerations
One other consideration for your mat is color. Color is a personal choice, but you should pick a color that, at the same time, attracts and grounds you. I love charcoal, purple and green mats to practice on; pink is my favorite for teaching but doesn’t much ground me for personal practice. What works for you may be the great price for the mat in the color on the shelf in front of you. Also, consider how sweaty you are. You can add tack to your mat with a damp towel or various types of yoga towels atop your mat. Or try layering a standard mat with a sticky “travel” mat atop, and the added friction of the two mats trying to become one will work for you. Please note, any travel mats that claim to be “disposable” can be used many times, so if you do not need it again, please share it with someone who does (even if it is the cleaning person at the hotel).
Care and Cleaning
New Mats After you choose your mat, open it up and let it air (maybe outside, as suggested above). After a couple of months of use, how do you keep it clean? No matter which method you use, a small amount of cleaner goes far and needs to be wiped/rinsed off. Any residue may cause your mat to become slippery during use when it becomes wet with perspiration.
If your mat is lightly soiled, using a spray bottle and a cloth is enough. Keep a spray bottle near your mat with water plus a cleaning solution (like vinegar plus lemon, water with thieves or on guard, hydrogen peroxide and peppermint, tea tree oil, etc). Wipe your mat with a clean, terry cloth towel (damp with warm water is ideal, but dry works, too). Avoid rubbing too hard, but do go in two different directions in order to get your residue out of the texture of the mat. Always check the label of your cleaning product/wipe to make sure that is it safe for soft plastics and products with pvc.
For heavier soiling, there is a safe and a dangerous way to wash your mat. You will be safe if you use a tub of cool water and a tablespoon of mild detergent. Rinse the mat well and hang to dry (directions below). If you are feeling more dangerous, use a washing machine. Add absorbent garments (towels, hoodies, etc.) and only ¼ of the soap you usually would for comparable load size. It is highly recommended to wash mat on gentle cycle in cold water and remove before spinning; I wash my mats on warm with a medium spin cycle. With a front-loading machine, you will get a dirty mat clean, but repeated washings will affect the glues in the mat (well worth it to me, as I am on them for hours per day). With a top-loading machine, you can cut up your mat, but it is so
clean. With the top-loader, if you let the mat spin to the top, the friction of the tub will wear a line/cut into the mat. I do stop the machine as the spin cycle begins and rearrange the mat to the bottom and other items atop. To me it is worth gambling, to you it may be too big of a wound to let your mat spin out in the machine.
One more dangerous suggestion (from OM Yoga in NYC) is to take a shower with your mat, letting suds fall off of your hair/body and using your feet to scrub the mat. Rinsing yourself, then holding your mat up for a rinse, your should be fine. I have heard of people slipping, so take care.
Then let your mat dry. The mat needs air, moving over and under, so hang it over something (rather than leave it on the floor). Some mats dry in 8 hours, other in 24. All need to be flipped at some point to allow both sides to dry completely. To hasten the drying time, place a dry towel atop, and roll them together like a sleeping bag. Step on the roll to squeeze out water.
With continued use and washing, your mat will become softer and sticker. I love a clean mat.
Those are the types of mats about which you hear the most and see most often. There are also hemp mats, hot yoga mats with cotton surfaces, Raja mats, and others. When you have come to the end of your relationship with your mat, think of great ways to reuse it: under a high chair to keep it from sliding, under your car when you are working on it, at the beach or in the grass
for a summertime nap or snack, etc. Feel free to do your own research and find the mat that welcomes you to your practice, each and every day.
Outside of your local studios or stores, here are great places to buy mats:
www.barefootyoga.com