PICK YOUR BEST YOGA MAT

Ah… yoga! If you’ve been to a retreat with us, you know that yoga is a part of our weekly schedule. Different types of yoga are integrated in order to expose our guests with a number of different types of yoga. I personally love to practice yoga. Yin is my favorite and I enjoy the peace of mind and body I get from this type of yoga. I also do so much “yanging” in my life that Yin fits in perfectly. It compliments all of the intense, energizing fitness that I do and brings me down a notch in a good way.

People practice yoga for many different reasons. Some love yoga for the physical benefits, for the spiritual benefits and others are attracted to the mental/psychological aspects that yoga brings to their life. Whatever your reason, practicing yoga is a personal matter. There are so many different “types” of yoga and each unique discipline brings something a little different to the practice. No matter the type of yoga that draws you to practice, choosing the best yoga mat for you can be very important. From ECO friendly to extra sticky, we’ve got the best yoga mats available listed below.

BEST YOGA MATS OF 2018

Yoga Rat Pro

We love the Yoga Rat Pro mat at Vita Vie Retreat and have used these mats for our guests. They’re comfortable, sickly enough to prevent slipping but not “too sticky” and don’t have any major odor when new.

This mat is 5mm in thickness and 72″ long. It’s light weight (only 2.5 lbs) which makes it easy to carry and tote to and from class.

Eco Friendly Bonus: Eco-friendly 100 percent TPE material is recyclable and contains no rubber or latex that could be harmful to your health; also SGS tested and certified

Manduka Pro Yoga Mat

Manduka’s yoga mats are always top quality and unmatched in the yoga world. I’ve owned a few Manduka mats and always have one at home for my personal practice. The Manduka pro mat is firm and dense which allows it to provide the perfect amount of support for joints. The density also makes it a little more versatile. Obviously it’s fantastic for yoga but the firmness makes it great for general core work and even pilates as well.

It is a little heavier at 7.5 pounds but is 6mm thick and 71″ long. Also available in extra long.

About The Construction:

High-density cushion, joint protection, unmatched support.
Guaranteed to never wear out from yoga practice.
Closed-cell surface prevents sweat from seeping into the mat.
Non-toxic, emissions-free manufacturing, 100% latex free.
Specially formulated to clean your mat without damaging the surface or causing slippage. DO NOT soak, shower or submerge your mat in water

Hugger Mugger Earth Elements Yoga Mat

I’m a big fan of all Hugger Mugger products. I love their dedication to the earth. I haven’t owned this particular mat but have owned a few of their other mats (nature collection mat) and loved them all. The Earth Elements mat comes highly recommended and has great reviews. It’s 72″ long and 5mm thick.

Like all of their products, The Earth Elements yoga mat is made out of a patented, environmentally-friendly, biodegradable, recyclable, and non-toxic TPE. Each mat has a non-slip surface so you can tune into the down dog instead of your slipping hands.

Material Information:

Phthalate free, and ultra-durable
Nonslip, original Sticky mat
Antimicrobial for improved hygiene
PVC, rubber and latex free
Biodegradable, recyclable, toxin free
Features a closed cell construction that prevents absorption of fluids, making it easy to keep clean

Basically Perfect Cork Yoga Mat

I love cork yoga mats and I love the Basically Perfect cork yoga mat. I love the feel of them and the fact that they’re Eco friendly by nature. My experience with cork mats has been that they’re pretty comfortable and easy to work on for any type of floor work – not just yoga. They’re naturally antimicrobial and eliminate the need for any type of yoga towel as the cork absorbs moisture. Easy!

This mat is 72 inches long and 5mm thick. It weighs about 6.5 lbs.

Yoga Mat Details:

Made from 100% natural, sustainably-sourced premium cork and high density tree rubber. No trees were cut to make this mat.
Extra long and extra wide: 72” x 24” x 5mm, 6.4 lbs
Non-toxic, free of PVC, TPE, foam, adhesives and harsh chemicals. Did you know most conventional mats are toxic? Going cork is a no-brainer!
Superior grip offers unrivaled stability. Non-slip cork surface becomes even grippier with heat and sweat.
Our premium cork is durably fused together with rubber through a special high temperature bonding process without the use of adhesives or harsh chemicals. This ensures the cork surface will never end up chipping like the others.
Self-sanitizing, as cork is naturally antimicrobial. Mat stays fresh without bacteria, mold or dust. Odor free – just an earthy fresh scent of cork.
Recyclable and biodegradable
Enhance your style and the serenity of your practice with the soothing look and feel of minimalistic cork
Simply elegant, no brand look.
To clean, try a vinegar, water and essential oil DIY cleaner.
For dirt, use organic soap and water. Wipe away any soap residue and let air dry.

Jade Harmony Yoga Mat

We’ve also used Jade Yoga mats at Vita Vie Retreat over the years and the instructors and guests have loved them. Jade Yoga’s Harmony Yoga Mat is the perfect mat for any practice. Born out of Jade Industries, a company that had been making non-slip natural rubber rug pads for area rugs since the early 1970s, Jade yoga has been making yoga mats since 2002. They are Eco friendly, come in 68 and 74 inch lengths and are 5mm thick. They are versatile for many disciplines including yoga, pilates, stretching and core work.

Material Information: Jade mats are made with open-cell, natural rubber, which is well known for offering terrific slip-resistance. As a result, you no longer have to worry about slipping on your practice mat–even if it gets wet with perspiration. Jade mats also offer exceptional resilience, unmatched compression-set resistance, and incomparable cushioning, so you’ll stay comfortable with every pose. And because natural rubber is a renewable resource tapped from rubber trees, the company’s mats contain no PVC or ozone-depleting substances. Jade mats–which are made in the U.S. in compliance with all U.S. environmental and labor laws–are perfect for the yogi concerned about the Earth. Jade Yoga also plants a tree for every mat sold in partnership with Trees for the Future.

We always use latex free, eco friendly yoga mats at our fitness retreat. Your home practice mat should be one that you love to make sure to do your research and find a mat that suits you and your needs. Check out this in depth review of the Best Yoga Mats of 2019 for even more information on your perfect mat. If you have any questions, please type them in the comments below. - Margot

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