A sticky mat is not yoga fly-paper—it is just a nice surface that provides traction for your feet and hands while insulating you from cold floors.
You might be able to borrow a mat from your yoga studio, but eventually you will want your own.
Look for a yoga mat that:
Can be rolled for easy transportation, and
Is at least a few inches longer than you are
Yoga mats come in either 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch thicknesses. Thicker yoga mats offer more cushioning, but are slightly less stable when used for more advanced/challenging poses.
Thinner yoga mats can also be layered for added cushioning.
Yoga Mats should:
Support any yoga pose, whether physical (standing, sitting, or reclining), meditation, or relaxation without any feeling of discomfort
Be large enough for varying range of postures and extensions with soft edges—at least a few inches longer than you
Have a sufficient grip ("stickiness") to support achieving the optimum benefits of each yoga position
Be soft enough to counter the hardness of the floor
Be firm enough to provide the right balance to your yoga postures
Be sweat-absorbent
Be machine (or hand) washable
Questions you might ask when choosing a yoga sticky mat:
Does this yoga mat grip the floor without sliding?
Do my feet stay in position on this mat?
If my feet sweat, will they still grip the mat?
Is this yoga mat made of durable material?
Does this mat lay flat without curling?
Is this mat washable? How easy is it to clean?
Is this mat lightweight for carrying and easy to roll-up?
A sticky mat is not yoga fly-paper—it is just a nice surface that provides traction for your feet and hands while insulating you from cold floors.
