Use your own yoga mat. Not only does it reflect good studentship and help you set the intention of creating a regular practice, but a yoga mat is truly a personal use item. Good yoga hygiene requires that you own your own mat, clean it often (just throw it in the washing machine with a little bit of Bronner’s soap) and bring it with you wherever you go for practice. Just in case you need some inspiration to buy your own mat, here is an article from the New York Times in 2006 that illuminates some of the bacterial and fungal infections that are caused by sharing yoga mats.
What mats do I suggest? Well, I have enjoyed quite a few different brands of mats, but the ones I purchase for the studio and the brand of the very first yoga mat I ever bought (17-years ago and still in relatively good shape!) are from Hugger Mugger. Hugger Mugger offers a wide selection of yoga mats to fit every yoga style and budget, but I personally stick to some of their basic mat products. I find that some of the more ecologically friendly mats out there not only biodegrade, but they biodegrade right under my fingertips. The Tapas Nature Collection Mat (apx. $30 at the time of publication) and the Tapas Terra Yoga Mat (apx. $40 at the time of publication). These are arguably not the most ecologically friendly mats, but from the perspective of purchasing a mat that is economically reasonable and will last you many, many years of practice, then these beautiful mats just can’t be beat.
The Tapas Nature Collection mat has a lovely spring to it, comes in jewel tones (and now pink too!) and isn’t as slippery as some other “sticky mats” that are in a similar price range. The Tapas Terra mat is a little less toxic and also has a little less spring, which makes it ideal for travel. The texture of the Tapas Terra mat is not like a sticky mat, but rather has an all over texture to it rather than a pattern. I find that both mats are easy to care for, but the Tapas Nature Collection mats are easier to clean on the go with wipes and sprays. The texture of the Terra mat makes it hard to “wipe down” on the go.
Either mat would make an excellent investment for you as a starter mat. Be careful what color you pick though! These mats are going to last you a very long time. Ready to buy? Follow this link directly to the Hugger Mugger website.
Posted by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk, a yogini, doula and yoga instructor based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Find out more about Sharon at www.sharonrudykyoga.com.
