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The perfect yoga mat is hard to come by and we know how good it feels when you step onto The One. Aside from the pretty designs, an ideal yoga mat should have the right material and grip to help hold your poses. The best yoga mats in Singapore will make your practice so much more enjoyable, comfortable, and liberating. Read on for a list of factors to consider before purchasing a yoga mat for your practice!
Yoga mats range from super thin and compact travel styles to cushy 20mm paddings! Thinner mats can often help increase stability for yoga, whereas thicker mats are more suited for yogis with tender knees. If you’re not sure where to start, choose a mat that’s about 4mm thick – this is excellent in providing stability for your poses as they allow solid contact with the floor at all times!
When it comes to yoga mat materials, you can choose anything from inexpensive Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) to environmentally-friendly natural rubber. The texture, stickiness, and durability of the mat will be affected by the material you choose. Most synthetic yoga mats on the market today are made of PVC and Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE). However, if you want to go green with your fitness routine, choose natural yoga mat materials such as cork and natural rubber!
You can potentially injure yourself if your mat slides around during your practice. To avoid such risks, choose yoga mats that are sticky and will stay in place as you change poses. PVC yoga mats are among the best yoga mats in Singapore for its firm grip on the ground and are especially recommended for those practising hot yoga.
The texture of your yoga mat determines the amount of traction it provides. Sufficient friction is necessary to prevent any slipping while also ensuring maximum stability in your poses. And because texture affects the way a yoga mat feels, it also contributes to your overall comfort. If you have sweaty palms, you’d be better off with a mat that’s tactile, such as a rubber or jute yoga mat!
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down by thickness, material, texture, stickiness, here’s the final factor for you to consider: style! After all, you’ll be seeing a lot of your mat in a downward dog position so it’s better to pick your favourite colour and character. Practice yoga in style and achieve greater inner peace!
With over 300 poses, yoga can be intimidating for beginners. If you find yourself confused between the various poses such as the upward dog or one-legged pigeon, you’ll need the Foldable PVC 8mm Yoga Pose Mat (available on D·COLOR)! This is one of the best yoga mats in Singapore for new yogis thanks to its helpful design that features more than 10 common yoga poses for you to peek at! This foldable yoga mat is also made out of durable PVC material that provides sufficient grip between poses. More importantly, with its tactful folding lines, you’ll never have to worry about unwanted creases on your mat!
While there’s no right or wrong when doing yoga, sometimes all it takes is a little more precision to bring your practice to the next level. Roll out the TPE Yoga Mat With Guidelines (available on LavishSG) – one of the best thick yoga mats in Singapore for those striving for accuracy in their practice. With a free yoga bag and strap, it’s also one of the best travel mats for those constantly on-the-go.
Navigate through your asanas and keep your alignment in check on this yoga mat. The parallel lines are helpful in positioning your arms and feet in the downward-facing dog pose while the central and 45-degree lines help you stay balanced in various warrior poses. It may take some time to get used to yoga mats with alignment lines but you’ll soon be accustomed to the intelligent markers and become capable of self-correcting your poses!
If you experience aches and sores in your knees every time you attempt a low lunge, chances are you have sensitive knees. Sensitive knees can be bothersome during your practice as many yoga poses engage the knees. Instead of enduring the pain, why not get a 15mm Thick High-Density Yoga Mat (available on Askwhy life.sg)? Its extra thickness makes this one of the best yoga mats in Singapore in terms of non-slip support and sufficient cushioning for your knees. However, note that thicker yoga mats tend to be heavier and may not be the most portable for those who’d like to practise on-the-go.
As a seasoned yogi, you probably have a yoga mat at home and don’t want to spend extra replacing it. Fret not, as you can now zeng it up with the Mini TPE Yoga Mat (available on My Family Living Store) – this mini yoga mat is as wide as an average yoga mat and can be used on top of your existing mat. Thanks to its outstanding grip and comfort, it is also rated one of the best yoga mats in Singapore in terms of extra support for Yin yoga and restorative practices. Better still, a mini yoga mat is great for a variety of other workouts – fire up your core with an ab roller!
Can’t seem to get a grip during your hot yoga session? We understand your pain. Excess sweat on your palms and soles can cause you to slip on your yoga mat. This is where a Sweat Absorption Cork Yoga Mat (available on 131express) comes in handy!
Cork mats are some of the best non-slip yoga mats in Singapore. They are very absorbent and provide soft padding to protect your joints. Most importantly, cork yoga mats have antimicrobial properties that prevent mould and mildew growth. This ensures that your mat stays clean and fresh even after an intense workout! They’re also super easy to clean. All you have to do is soak a cloth in cold water with 2-3 drops of dish soap and gently wipe down your cork yoga mat.
While the quality of your mat matters, its design plays a big part in your practice too. Your yoga mat should reflect your personality and be able to spark joy every time it’s unrolled. The Suede Prints Non-slip Yoga Mat (available on Ame&lie.sg) comes in 17 stunning designs to motivate you to go further in your yoga journey! They are some of the prettiest yoga mats in Singapore, with cheerful tropical designs and mesmerising mandala prints. What’s more, its absorbent suede microfibre layer provides towel-like grip for sweaty palms!
As avid yogis, we understand the importance of a trustworthy yoga mat; and to some, it may mean purchasing a branded yoga mat to get the best bang for your buck! Delivering a softer density feel with better durability, the Adidas 7 mm Yoga Mat (available on Sporting House Official Store) promises the perfect balance between stability and comfort for more effective and supported poses. Touted as one of the best non-slip thick yoga mats in Singapore, this Adidas yoga mat measures 173 cm long by 61 cm wide and is hence perfectly sized even for the taller yogis!
If you’re a yogi constantly on-the-go, try out the Manduka eKO Superlite Mat (available on Manduka Official Store). Weighing in at less than a kilo, this travel yoga mat is easy to roll up and bring around town with. Be it an early morning yoga session at a nearby park or a yoga practice with a one hour commute time, the Manduka eKO Superlite Mat is there for you! Made from sustainably sourced rubber, it provides great grip and texture so you can ace those poses without slipping!
Yoga not only aims to connect your body, mind and soul but also to create more awareness with the environment. However, some yoga equipment can do quite the opposite. For example, some PVC yoga mats release vinyl chloride and other substances that can potentially harm the environment and cause health issues.
The next time you pick a yoga mat, find one like the Manduka eKo Lite 4mm Yoga Mat (available on Manduka Official Store), which is made out of non-Amazon harvested natural tree rubber! The thick lightweight rubber has a non-slip texture, which helps increase traction and enhance grip. That being said, this Manduka yoga mat creates a solid ground contact for more advanced yoga practice!
We hope this informative guide helps in selecting the best yoga mat that suits your needs! If you’ve hit a plateau in your practice, maybe it’s time to push your boundaries and explore the best pilates studios for a greater challenge. With your mat ironed out, what’s left is some cute yoga apparel! Check out some of these affordable activewear brands to keep yourself motivated in style.
This article was updated on 5 January 2023. Additional research done by Shermyn Tan.
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