How to Choose the Best Yoga Mat for Your Practice

In India, the birthplace of yoga, yogi’s started out practising their asana on tiger or deer skin. Of course, the western world eventually took yoga mats into their own hands by producing sticky PVC options for a non-slip practice.

Since then, the materials and technology in yoga mats in Australia have come a long way. While this allows for many more personalized options, finding the best yoga mat for your practice can be a tricky task.

Your yoga mat will become a symbol of relaxation, presence, and peace. However, factors like durability, comfort, and grip will all determine what kind of experience you’ll have when you hit the mat. 

Whether you are brand new to yoga are ready for a mat upgrade, follow along to learn everything you need to know to choose the best yoga mat for your unique needs. 

Design

The design of your yoga mat showcases personality, style, and of course beauty. However, when it comes to elaborate prints and bright colours, you’ll likely find the beautiful patterns become dirty and show age quicker than most. 

Instead of choosing light colours and toxic-ink designs consider choosing a yoga mat that is both beautiful and practical. 

Dark colours tend to hold up best, especially when taking your yoga practice outdoors. 

You’ll want to establish a relationship of nurturing and love with your mat, so choosing a subtle and versatile design will have you reaching for your high-quality mat for years to come.

Style of Practice

Your preferred style of yoga will play a large role in determining what mats and textures are best for you. 

If you gravitate to hot yoga or Bikram classes, you’ll want to ensure your mat will be grippy enough to stand up to the increased sweat. On the other hand, if you feel drawn to yin or restorative practices, having a mat that is spongy enough to provide comfort will be a beneficial feature.

For yogis who love a good mix of active and resting practices, choosing a mat with enough thickness to support and cushion joints while providing ample grip will be the magic combo. 

Materials

The materials your mat are constructed of will determine just how much grip and support you’ll receive. 

Here at Create Flow, we use natural tree rubber to provide a spongy surface and top it off with jute fibres for superior grip. The jute fibres serve to absorb any moisture that arises during the practice to keep slippery spots out of the equation.

If you’re a lover of challenging, sweaty classes, choosing the closed-cell top layer of our studio yoga mat will ensure no bacterias or unpleasant smells can settle into your mat. This material remains grippy without absorbing your sweat so you can practice great hygiene while you practice yoga. 

If you plan on taking part in Australian beach yoga or enjoy taking your mat to the park for a little free flow, choosing materials like natural tree rubber will ensure a durable surface. This way you can keep your beloved yoga mat around for years to come. 

To get the most longevity out of your mat, ensure you choose easy to care for materials and keep up with regular cleansing and adequate drying. For the best yoga mats, this is as simple as a chemical-free wipe and sunshine to dry. 

Size

The standard yoga mat size is around 183 by 61 cms. These are typically the sizes you’ll see at your favourite yoga studio or online class. 

Of course, not every yogi is built the same. Some of us have longer legs, wider child’s poses, or even prefer having a little extra space to play around. 

With this in mind, we’ve developed an oversized mat that provides all the features of our original Mukti Grounded Australian yoga mat with the extra wiggle room you love for a more freeing practice. Our extra-large mat measures 200 cm long and 66.5 wide so you can spread out without taking over the studio. 

The other dimension you’ll want to consider is the thickness of your yoga mat. A comfortable standard is 4 mm thick. This allows you to cushion your knees and joints without sacrificing balance. 

Values

What does your yoga mat say about your values? If you are conscious about the environment and fair work conditions, choosing an eco yoga mat can help support the causes you believe in. 

Of course, not all eco-friendly yoga mats are truly sustainably manufactured. Choosing the right materials to support the environment doesn’t necessarily mean that production is carried out ethically. 

To get a better idea of the company that you are shopping from, take a look at their brand story and get to know what ‘eco yoga mats’ means to them. 

Here at Create Flow, we believe in supporting the environment and the people who put together our mats. All of our yoga mats and accessories are designed right here in Australia with the local economy in mind. 

Our natural tree rubber is sourced from 100% non-Amazon harvested trees and we hold up our values by boycotting sweatshops and poor labour practices. The Taiwan based ethical workplace we use ensures no foaming agents, PVCs, or plasticizers are used at any stage of production. 

The softening process is even done with toxin-free measures. When it comes to delivery, your new mat will come packaged in plastic-free, compostable material so you can support the environment every step of the way. 

You can depend on your Create Flow yoga mat being chemical, toxin, and pesticide-free. 

The Extras

Once you’ve chosen the best yoga mat for your needs, you can top up your practice with accessories and props that support the same eco-friendly values you believe in. From yoga straps to blocks, the right props can help to deepen your practice and support your body’s needs.

Take note of the bundles and extras your new yoga mat features to get the best bang for your buck. All of our eco yoga mats come with an organic cotton carrying strap to ensure your mat is always transported with care. 

Your yoga mat will be an investment that supports your practice for years to come, so be sure you’ve taken the time to choose a company that you’ll be proud to sport to all of your classes. 

The Best Yoga Mat in Australia

Now that you know the features to look for in your new yoga mat, you can set forth with confidence on your yoga mat purchase. From eco-friendly materials to a sleek and beautiful design, choosing the best yoga mat takes careful consideration and care.

Want to get your hands on the best yoga mat in Australia? Shop our selection of eco yoga mats and accessories today and support your practice with quality, comfort, and mindfulness.