You know what it takes to be a cool yoga practitioner when you go to the gym or walk down the street:  It's that brightly colored thick yoga mat rolled up in your gym bag and thrown over your shoulder.  While some gyms provide yoga mats you can use, many people prefer to get their own reasonably priced sticky yoga mat for practicing yoga at home as well as at the gym.

Now looks aside, you know a thick yoga mat will really help give you confidence as you attempt more challenging yoga poses as it increases your traction and cushions your weight against the floor.  A versatile workout tool, yoga mats are being used for all types of workouts, now.

What To Look For When You Buy A Yoga Mat

Having decided to pursue the practice of yoga, consider how and where you'll do your yoga exercises. This will help you evaluate what type of yoga mat (thick or thin, cotton or plastic, etc.) will be right for you.

Here are some important things to consider:

The first thing to look for in your yoga mat is that it must provide adequate traction which of course translates to allowing all your body parts to get a good grip and which also prevents your body from slipping.  Most rubbery, thick yoga mats do this job very well.

Secondary factors include the durability of the mat, if you plan to use it outside and the environmental impact of your mat.  Some people prefer to use a cotton yoga mat or other eco-friendly yoga mats.

A Nice Thick Yoga Mat Helps You Maintain Your Yoga Pose

The right sticky yoga mat will ensure that you can maintain the desired yoga pose for the required amount of time, especially when you need to hold a particular pose for an extended time period. The right kind of yoga mat is also one that lies flat on the ground or floor after you spread the mat, rather than curling back up or becoming wrinkled. In addition, an extra thick yoga mat will be soft so that your body gets the right amount of cushioning while also being firm enough to provide proper support to the body. It also helps to choose a yoga mat that can be easily cleaned after a sweaty or outdoor workout. My cousin says her yoga mat will never be the same after she used it for some muddy outdoor exercise here in rainy Seattle.

Most yoga mats are rather thin and their main purpose is to make you feel as comfortable as possible.  You can buy thick and extra thick yoga mats to provide extra cushioning, and those are great. Most people who have tried doing yoga without a mat quickly come to understand that buying a yoga mat represents a sound investment and it should also be the first item of yoga accessory that you should purchase before beginning your yoga exercises.

You should also expect to come across a variety of yoga exercise mats of which the Classic, Deluxe and Cotton Chemical Free or Organic mats are good examples. You need to also select your yoga mat according to the type of material from which it is made. You can choose synthetic materials or natural ones, such as cotton and jute, or you can use latex and even PVC. materials that are also quite popular. Last but not least, you can choose to buy yoga mats that are a blend of both natural rubber and jute.

After buying your thick yoga mat, it also makes sense that you should buy a yoga mat bag with which you can store your precious mat in a safe and secure manner. You can also place your mat in the bag and then transport it conveniently and easily.

Yoga mats are not complicated, but find one that you can really feel good about using, since you'll be spending a lot of time with it and interacting with it rather intimately - think Child's Pose with your face on the floor.  Personally, I like thick plastic (sticky) yoga mats for their comfort, usability, and durability.  If you're not familiar with the various types of yoga mats out there, take a look at other people's mats the next time you're at the gym and if you spot one you like, ask the owner for her appraisal of its merits and also where she got it and what the price is.

You may find that it makes the most sense to buy a plain vanilla yoga mat to start out with, and as you get more advanced and experienced, upgrade your yoga mat to better meet your needs.