This is a question I get asked more than any other, because a yoga mat can truly make or break your practice. So I would love to shed some light on this particular subject, give you some pointers and a few of my personal recommendations.

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Choosing a Thick vs. Thin Yoga Mat

Mats range from around 3mm thick to 10mm. And each has its own benefits. A thicker mat will provide you with more cushioning under your knees, wrists, hips etc so if you are practising a slower style of yoga, are pregnant or if you just need extra support then this is a good option for you.

If you have a more dynamic practice then thicker mats tend to slip and slide and get in the way. They can slow you down quite a lot so you need to use a 6mm or thinner mat. It’s also important to note that a thicker mat will make balancing poses harder, so if you are using a thick mat it’s a good idea to come off it for balancing poses like vrksasana (tree pose).

How much should your yoga mat cost?

If you are new to yoga, and don’t want to spend too much money on a mat because you’re not even sure you like this yoga malarky, then you can find something decent around £25. If you are a committed yogi and looking for something to stand the test of time then you can gaze around the £60 mark. For the serious practitioners who spend a lot of time on their mats and need it to be extremely hard wearing you are looking over £100, and this kind of mat will last you a lifetime!

My favourite yoga mats

For beginner yogis I like Yogamatters beginners mats. To begin with you may find them slippery (sometimes a little smelly too) but with use they become less so. These are a great budget, beginners mat and they are the mats I use for students in my class who don’t have their own.

If you want to spend a bit more and invest in a quality mat I would suggest a Manduka mat - high quality and will last you a long time, if not a lifetime! You can use my code WILDKATYOGA when for 10% off when you shop their full range. I also love Manduka’s “Almost Perfect” mats - you can get super discounts on mats with minor imperfections.

My personal use mat is the Linen mat from MLife. It’s latex free and non-toxic plus it has great grip. It absorbs really well too which is helpful in a sweaty class, but doesn’t hold smells so I don’t even need to clean it. I’m a big fan of this mat and recommend it often.

If you want to invest in a yoga mat for life I love the Liforme mat which is super grippy, made from rubber and a little bit bigger than the standard size mats. Liforme mats from £100 upwards.

If you’re looking for more aesthetic from your mat then I love Wolf&Mermaid mats which having gorgeous colours and are eco-friendly too.

Shop yoga mats and activewear

If you love shopping all thing yoga gear and activewear then you’re going to LOVE The Pretty Wild Store, where I hunt out the best activewear on the the internet just for you! Check it out.