Of all the yoga accessories, a good sticky yoga mat is probably the single most important item. A yoga mat should be durable, comfortable, offer the correct amount of support to avoid injury and provide sufficient grip (sticky yoga mat) to avoid slipping. You might also select a thicker mat if you are very thin or frail or if you want to cushion and protect your joints with extra padding.
A sticky yoga mat is an extremely important piece of equipment as it will keep you from sliding all over the place and help you maintain your alignment as you move from one pose to another, especially when you hold poses for several seconds. They are even more important if you are doing fast paced and demanding Ashtanga yoga or holding your poses in place during hot yoga classes like Bikram.
The sticky yoga mat is probably the most familiar type of yoga mat for most people. Basic, readily available and inexpensive, the sticky yoga mat would be a good choice for a beginner or someone who does not practice yoga on an regular, extensive basis. PVC mats have the highest sticky factor, but remember that these mats are only sticky when they are clean. If you buy a PVC mat, wash it before you use it and again whenever you notice your hands sliding forward in downward dog.
Sticky yoga mats are not necessarily the best choice of a yoga mat when it comes to the environment or one’s health, however. If this is the case then you can choose to use a rubber mat – rubber yoga mats are durable and generally made from natural rubber from trees, although rubber yoga mats can also be made synthetically.
Sticky yoga mats made from rubber are environmentally sustainable or eco-friendly, long-lasting, and come in a variety of thicknesses. Rubber mats can have a strong odour, however, which some people find unpleasant, they can break down if left in the sun and are a bit more expensive than PVC mats. One of the best sticky yoga mats currently available is the Gaiam sticky yoga mat or if your budget permits, the Gaiam premium sticky yoga mat – top these off with a Gaiam sticky yoga mat towel and you will be good to go!
Choosing a sticky yoga mat depends largely on the student’s personal requirements and physique, as well as the type of yoga being practised. With so many types of yoga mats available on the market, there is a yoga mat appropriate for every yoga student, however, our personal preference is for a thick yoga mat that is also a sticky yoga mat – the perfect combination.