Engaging in yoga can be one of the most deeply enriching and fulfilling activities in the world. Yoga is a form of exercise that is beneficial for both your physical and mental health, as it teaches you to stretch your body into unique positions, before helping you to hold them there.
It also has proven benefits for balance and breathing. As well as this, yoga will also help you to focus your mind, let go of daily stresses, and enter a calmer state of being.
However, because yoga is an activity that requires holding poses for long periods of time, you will want to make sure that you are adequately supported, so that you don’t find yourself straining unnecessarily.
To make yoga more comfortable, most people make use of a yoga mat, but they often find themselves stressing out when it comes to picking the perfect one.
How thick should a yoga mat actually be? Does a yoga mat need to be really thick for extra comfort? Or do you need it to be a little more on the thin side? Read on down below to find the answers you seek!
What Is A Yoga Mat Designed To Do?
In order to get a sense of how thick a yoga mat should be, it would be useful to make sure that we are clear on the purpose that such mats are designed to serve.
Generally, yoga mats are actually designed to help keep your hands and feet from slipping as you observe specific yoga practices. After all, if you need to stay balanced on just a few of your limbs, you are going to want to make sure that they don’t slip around and lead to you making unwanted contact with the ground!
However, while yoga mats are designed with grip in mind, they are also designed to provide some extra cushioning that can help to make it more comfortable to hold specific poses.
As such, you can purchase yoga mats of a massive array of thicknesses. Some can be as thin as 2 millimeters, while some can even go as thick as 7 millimeters for even more comfort!
How Thick Should Your Yoga Mat Be?
This is a difficult question to answer because the perfect yoga mat will largely depend on your specific needs. There is no wrong thickness when it comes to yoga mats, and they do not need to adhere to any specific thickness.
If you require extra support from your yoga mat, then you should try to purchase a mat that is a little bit thicker than average.
However, if you are totally new to yoga, you should generally aim to purchase a mat that is around 2 inches thick.
The reason for this is that it is a perfect thickness that provides support for your feet and hands, to keep them from straining against the ground, but allows just enough contact with the ground below so that you can more easily hold a specific pose and maintain balance.
Your choice of yoga mat will also depend on your individual weight. If you have a higher weight, then you might need a slightly thicker mat to provide you with adequate support from below, while still allowing you to make enough contact with the ground.
Be sure to look around at your options and try the yoga mats out before purchasing them, so you can find the right one for you!
A thick mat might also be best for you if you are planning to engage with yoga in a more therapeutic capacity. If you will be less focused on holding specific poses, then a thicker mat may be the perfect option for you.
This is especially the case if you are going to be holding poses that make use of your knees. Such poses may require less balance, but they may put more strain on such joints.
A thin mat is best if you need precise balance, and also if you need to move your mat around from place to place, as thinner mats are much easier to roll up and stow away.
What Should A Yoga Mat Be Made Of?
Once again, there are no set rules when it comes to the material that your yoga mat is made up of. Yoga mats can be made from a number of unique materials, from PVC, to TPE, and even a number of plant-based options.
However, you will want to choose carefully between these materials, because they each offer something different.
PVC is best if you need a truly sturdy floor grip for high-intensity yoga that might involve you quickly moving between poses. The material is incredibly durable, however, this means it can become quite slippery when wet, so you will want to make sure not to sweat too much on it!
Yoga mats made up of TPE are a little more environmentally friendly than PVC mats because they are made of more natural materials that are recyclable.
However, you will want to keep in mind that they do not offer as much grip as PVC yoga mats, but they do offer superior thickness, which can make them very comfortable to use, even for long periods.
If you are truly environmentally conscious but still want high comfort and a good amount of traction, then any of the numerous eco-friendly options may be more up your alley.
However, once again you will want to keep in mind that yoga mats made of eco-friendly ingredients are a little less durable because they are often designed to be biodegradable!
To Wrap Up
There you have it! Though there is no set thickness that a yoga mat should be, you will still want to make sure that you pick up one of the perfect thickness so that you are adequately supported as you engage in yogic practices.
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
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