Cork, wool, PVC? How to choose a yoga mat that's best for you

Merino sheep's wool or non-slip plastic? There is a wide range of yoga mats you can choose from, each with different characteristics. The most important thing is that the mat suits your style of yoga, one teacher explains. — Photo: Christin Klose/dpa

Yoga mats protect the body when performing exercises on hard floors and ensure a secure footing when practising a yoga pose, but the right choice depends on thickness and material, yoga teacher Kerstin Kopp says.

Asanas, the body postures in yoga, benefit from grip when standing and warmth and relaxation when lying down. Mats come in different thicknesses and materials such as PVC, TPE, natural rubber, cork or virgin wool, which in turn affect grip, cushioning and sustainability, she says.