How to Choose Yoga Mat Thickness

Once you've moved from using a studio-supplied mat to purchasing your own, it takes a bit of research and a little shopping around. You should not just grab one off the shelf, but consider what material it's made out of and if its texture feels right to your hands, feet and even your forehead. Another factor to take into account is it thickness.

Yoga mats vary from the super-thin travel type that roll up tightly to occupy little space in your suitcase to plush versions that cushion you in the course of a soothing restorative practice. The type that is right for you will depend on the type of yoga you intend to practice. Your joint health and comfort level with balancing postures are additional factors to take into consideration.

Thickness Options

Yoga mats vary from a skinny 1/16-inch to a plush 1/4-inch. A typical mat is around 1/8-inch thick. You are going to have the most options in thickness if you choose a mat made from PVC, or vinyl. Natural materials, like bamboo and jute, often have lesser options.

Practice Style

A standard 1/8-inch mat is excellent for basically any practice, from a mild Hatha class to a flowing vinyasa style. Thicker mats are generally great for restorative and Yin classes where you spend nearly all of the class lying down or sitting; your back and head will certainly be grateful for the extra cushioning.

If your practice changes every single day a standard 1/8-inch mat is the most beneficial choice to cover all your preferences. If you enjoy feeling hooked up to the floor, as in a practice that features lots of standing and balancing postures, you can go for a skinnier mat. Also, if you have a tendency to practice on the go and might want to bring your mat with you, a thin 1/16-inch version might be best.

Body Tolerance

Your joint health and endurance for feeling the floor with bony parts should determine the mat you choose. If your practice typically has you kneel in Camel, hold Forearm Plank or visit to repetitive Kneeling Crescent Lunges, you might appreciate a slightly thicker mat to support your sensitive areas. Don't forget that your tailbone could also benefit from a little more cushioning in poses such as Boat.

Even though these discomforts could be avoided by folding your mat for those specific poses, if coming to your knees or forearms is part of a regular flow, it's not easy to keep rearranging.

Heaviness

Even though you do not want to squeeze your mat into a suitcase, taking a big, thick mat to and from the studio can make the mat get worn-out fast. Also when choosing a thicker 1/4-inch model, understand that they can weigh up to 7 pounds, making their transportation a training session in itself.