The Great Yoga Mat Dilemma
New year, new mat: Should you go eco-friendly or high-tech? By Sarah Highfield
The humble yoga mat; that magical rectangle where stress melts away and savasana sometimes turns into a nap. Yet, picking the right one these days? That’s the ultimate test of inner peace!
Once upon a time, a yoga mat was just a mat. You picked a colour you liked, rolled it out, and got into downward dog. Now, choosing one can feel like shopping for a car; there is talk of materials, sustainability, performance tech, even ‘smart’ mats that promise to improve your alignment.
Suddenly, your peaceful practice doesn’t feel so peaceful anymore. So, are you an eco-warrior yogi or a high-tech minimalist? Let me unroll the options and see what each mat brings:
Natural rubber mats
These are the earthy yogi’s favourite. Made from tree sap, they offer great grip and cushioning while being kind to the planet. Rubber mats are also biodegradable, so when they’ve reached the end of their life, they will not haunt a landfill for eternity.
Pros: Excellent grip, eco-friendly, supportive.
Cons: Heavier to carry, can smell very rubbery to begin with.
Cork mats
Cork mats are sustainable; they are made from bark that grows back, so no trees are harmed. Plus, the more you sweat, the grippier they get, which is ideal for hot yoga.
Pros: Naturally antimicrobial, non-slip when wet, biodegradable.
Cons: Pricier, can feel very firm, not great for dry hands.
PVC mats (a.k.a. the ‘classic’)
These have been around forever and are everywhere, they are cheap, durable, and super sticky. They are perfect for beginners or anyone who likes their yoga mat low-maintenance.
Pros: Long-lasting, budget-friendly, easy to clean.
Cons: Made from plastic, non-biodegradable, not planet-friendly.
High-tech mats
Very futuristic! Some mats feature synthetic blends, posture guides, or even sensors to help track your poses. Others use recycled materials or plant-based foams for a balance of performance and green credentials.
Pros: Lightweight, durable, sometimes recyclable, top-tier performance.
Cons: Expensive, the ‘smart’ features can feel gimmicky.
In the end, there is no wrong or right mat: the best one is just the mat that makes you want to roll it out again tomorrow. That’s because the best yoga mat is not the trendiest or the most sustainable; it is the one that supports you, literally and figuratively, every time you say ‘namaste’.
Sarah Highfield is a yoga teacher, writer and three-time OM cover model. Visit: yogagise.com or find her on Instagram @Yogagise
Om Magazine
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