Having trouble picking out the right yoga mat to buy? With all the options available, choosing a yoga mat can be a daunting task. There are many factors to selecting the best yoga mat, and this guide will go over the most important factors.

What Type of Yoga? – The type of yoga you practice is a very important factor for the type of mat you’ll need. Figure out your style of yoga before making a big purchase. If you’re just beginning, you can use mats at the gym until you know which style of yoga you prefer. If you do intensive yoga or sweat a lot, you should consider a mat that doesn’t absorb odors and is anti-bacterial. A practice that is about flowing (vinyasa) postures requires a mat with superior grip. A gentle practice doesn’t require as much, so there are many more options to choose from.

What Kind of Material? – The material you choose will determine a lot about the stickiness, sponginess and durability of the mat. There some pretty standard materials and now many companies are combining the materials to create even better products.

* PVC/Vinyl – Much more durable than other mats, PVC mats can last up to a decade. PVC mats are the smoothest mats on the market, so if you don’t like texture these may be the way to go. These mats aren’t sustainable though and can release toxins as they are used. PVC mats are the most spongy available.

* PVC (phthalate and latex-free) – There are now PVC mats available that are phthalate free. This means they aren’t releasing harmful toxins (to our knowledge). This is a great alternative to the rubber mats if you have a latex allergy. Read the rest of this entry »