From the mental health benefits of reduced stress, anxiety, and depression to the physical health benefits of improved mobility, strength, and balance, yoga has enhanced peoples’ lives for thousands of years.1 Using a yoga mat isn’t required in every studio or for every style and tradition of yoga, but it can improve your practice and make you more likely to do yoga consistently.
Michael Hartman, PhD, health and nutrition science expert and vice president of research and development at Plexus Worldwide, says a yoga mat is especially helpful for beginners as it provides visual cues for foot and hand placement. Mats are also important for people with joint disorders, balance and coordination issues, or recovering from an injury. Not only does the cushioning of yoga mats support your body and feet, but using a mat can also put you in the mindset to practice, says Rajaa Azouqa, yoga and mindfulness instructor at YogaRenew Teacher Training.
To test yoga mats, we had 18 editors, including a few certified as barre, yoga, and personal training instructors, use the mats in our lab while doing a series of yoga flows. We then tested the mats in our homes, using them 3-5 times per week for four weeks. We evaluated the packaging, unboxing, and smell of the yoga mats, as well as whether the mat stayed flat when unrolled. We rated each yoga mat for thickness, grip, and cushioning, as well as how easy the mat was to clean and roll and whether it stayed rolled for portability. Then, we had a doctor on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy.
