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Sep 14, 2023

Best yoga mats: Align your chakras with these yoga mats for all experience levels

Once the lockdown hobby that banded some of us together, yoga has increased in popularity over the last few years. Whether you go to a studio, practice in the gym, or set yourself up at home with Yoga

Once the lockdown hobby that banded some of us together, yoga has increased in popularity over the last few years.

Whether you go to a studio, practice in the gym, or set yourself up at home with Yoga With Adriene (if you know, you know), there's no shortage of opportunities to practice yoga in our daily lives. However, it's important to do so safely, which often begins with the best possible mat.

If you've been using a dusty old mat you found in the garage, or you're tired of rubber flecking off your years-old mat as you exercise, then we're here to help you find the upgrade you need.

This depends solely on the user, but there are a few things to look out for if you're hoping to improve your practice. If you find the idea of working out on the hard floor unbearable, you'll want a mat with decent thickness to it, and a spongy surface rather than one that's too firm or rough-feeling when it comes to grip.

Those new to the practice might also want alignment markers. These are really helpful when it comes to judging the depth of your stance, especially in positions like warrior one and two, which require the feet to remain a certain distance apart.

The price point is another consideration. While a lot of highly recommended mats have great, supportive properties, they often come in at over $100, which might be a turn-off if you're new to your yoga practice.

Below, we've considered the price, and some of the different needs of each yogi to pull together our top yoga mats.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

What makes it the best: This mat has both 6mm of thickness and clear alignment lines, so you can work on correctly posturing your movements while your body remains adequately supported. It's also currently on sale, costing just $32.98.

The HERUI Yoga Mat has everything you need as a beginner, or as a seasoned yogi. At 6mm thick, it's not the most cushioned mat on the market, but it will suit most practices, with the extra thick mats usually reserved for those with certain joint pains. The alignment lines create a better understanding of the postures you'll be moving in and out of, while the non-slip surface means you can comfortably hold positions, even if you start working up a sweat.

What makes it the best: This mat is 10mm thick, which provides ample cushioning for your knees and hands as you work through floor positions.

One centimetre of thickness might not seem like much, but you'd be surprised at how much cushioning this mat can provide. It also has a non-slip surface, making it ideal for beginners and people with injuries who need that extra level of support. The thickness of the mat will protect your joints, and ease any general pain that comes from kneeling positions.

With a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, you can definitely trust the quality of this mat. "It's nice and thick so provides good padding," one reviewer raved. "The quality is excellent."

What makes it the best: This mat folds up into a small 10 by 12-inch square and can fit into a suitcase or carry-on easily.

One of the best things about yoga is how accessible it is. If you have a floor and a mat, you can get stuck in. So, if you're someone who travels a lot but wants to keep a regular practice, this is the mat for you. Folding up into a small square, it's great for travel. You can unfold it to full size in your hotel room, or even an airport if it takes your fancy. This one is only 2mm thick, though, so make sure you have a blanket or block on hand if you need extra support.

What makes it the best: This mat is made from eco-friendly materials that are also very grippy, meaning you won't slip once when using it.

Cork mats have excellent grip, which is a great consideration for beginners. Incorrect support from the surface beneath you can actually lead to injury, so if you need grippy material to keep you in place, a cork mat is an excellent investment. The Luxe Eco Yoga Mat has a cork top layer that is fused to a biodegradable natural tree rubber base, making the mat quite springy overall. Not only is it a very functional mat, it's good for the earth, too.

What makes it the best: Not only is it visually stunning, but it also has a grippy surface made from recycled plastic bottles.

A lot of yoga mats these days have stunning designs, and the Earth Bloom Yoga Mat from Yogi Peace Club is our top pick for overall aesthetics. Featuring a floral mandala-style print, you'll be proud to roll this one out in the studio. Made partly from recycled materials, it's also another eco-friendly mat.

What makes it the best: One of the thickest mats on the list, it can be used to support you in yoga and a range of other exercises like Pilates, gymnastics, or simple gym workouts.

'Exercise mat' and 'yoga mat' can mostly be pretty interchangeable, but this one from Proiron is the ultimate workout companion, no matter your choice of exercise. Made from high-density foam, it weighs just over six kilograms. While this is much heftier than your average mat, you can imagine the level of support given by such thick material. Best of all, it also folds up for easy carrying to and from the gym or yoga studio.

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