The Best Yoga Mats of 2018
The yoga community has grown immensely in the past decade, and as such, there are yoga businesses and brands popping up all the time. With so many different yoga mats on the market these days, it can be overwhelming trying to find the right one. As a dedicated practitioner, teacher, and team member at Pulse, I find myself being asked quite frequently which yoga mat I recommend for students. So I've decided to write this post to help answer just that.
A few things that make a great yoga mat:
1. A good grip, but still gives the practitioner the ability to transition through poses without getting stuck. It's also important that the mat grips to the ground, so as not to slide closer and closer to your fellow yogis during class.
2. Lightweight and easily portable, with just enough thickness to stabilize joints and provide comfort in various asanas.
3. Yogic-minded companies. Transparent businesses that create products with integrity are truly the only ones we should support. We want yoga mats (and all products) to be made from sustainable, nontoxic, recyclable materials for a clean practice and a clear conscience.
Keeping these three requirements in mind, in an effort to help you find the perfect mat for you, I've accumulated a list of my top picks.
Liforme:
This company is extremely Earth conscious and I have mad respect for them because of it. Liforme was created by yogis for yogis, and the core values of the business align with yogic principles, so buying one of these mats is one of the smartest options on the market. As for practicing on a Liforme, it checks out on all my requirements. It stays in place on the floor, gives you a good grip with a little room for sliding through transitions, and it's just thick enough to provide support without throwing you off balance or compromising your joints. This mat also has a sweet little design on the surface intended to help you optimize your alignment in asanas. Super helpful!
Perfect for:
Everybody. Just... everybody.
Yoloha Cork Yoga Mat:
The cork mat! This brand is so awesome. Not only do they create biodegradable, nontoxic, recyclable yoga mats from oak trees, but their manufacturing process is zero-waste (!), meaning any left over materials from their mats are used to create other cork products. It's anti-microbial and self cleaning, so even the hardcore power vinyasa yogis don't have to worry about funky smells or bacteria accumulating in this mat. Yoloha also provides a lifetime guarantee on their mats, so just one purchase and you're covered for the rest of your yogi days.
Perfect for:
The hot yoga practitioner or very sweaty practitioner.
Manduka eKO Lite:
Manduka is constantly working on bettering their products, both for their customers and the Earth, and I really appreciate them for it. Their new mat, the eKO Lite is probably their best product yet. It's made from natural tree rubber, free of toxins and PVC, and will actually biodegrade fairly quickly in landfills if and when you're ready to give it up. Unlike their other mats, which require a couple weeks of practice to really become grippy, the eKO Lite is grippy from the start. It's lightweight yet durable and will last a lifetime, but if something were to happen, Manduka offers a lifetime warranty on their mats and will send you a new one at no charge! I'm in love!
Perfect for:
An everyday, lifetime practitioner. This mat will be your best friend for years without ever wearing down.
There you have it; my top three picks for a yoga mat. I hope it's helpful! Have you tried any of these brands? What's your favorite yoga mat to practice on?
For love, with love.
-E
