A Bikram yoga mat is a mat used for hot yoga, more properly termed Bikram Yoga. Bikram yoga is hot! And in more ways then one! Not only is it a very popular form of yoga it is as done in a room heated to between 105F and 110F. If you have ever seen a regular yoga mat before you would have noticed it’s smooth texture and slight rubbery feeling. Well, when a mat like that gets wet you can imagine that it doesn’t provide you with much grip in your yoga postures. So the ultimate question for those practicing Bikram yoga is managing moisture and traction at the same time. So what is the best solution for your Bikram yoga mat needs?
There are solutions that range from free and up. The number one thing that you will see people doing when they are not inclined to spend any additional money over and above their already costly yoga classes, is use a regular towel on top of their regular yoga mat. This can prove to be challenging as the towels are generally not sized to fit on the mat, nor are they a particularly attractive option for traction. Nonetheless they can and do get the job done for some people. Enter in Bikram yoga mat towels. These nifty little things are designed to be layered on top of your regular yoga mat, so you don’t need to buy a separate mat all together, but rather just have an addition. A Bikram yoga towel is great if you are a yoga mat owner already. These range in price from about $20 at the low end to $65 at the high end. This is by far one of the most common solutions used to handle the Bikram yoga mat debate. The next proposed idea is that you purchase a Bikram yoga mat. This sounds easy however these mats are no where near as easy to come by as regular yoga mats, which you can find almost anywhere. They also have the potential to be quite a bit higher in price then regular yoga mats since they are specialized. They also can’t really double as a regular yoga mat, as they are very specific.
A real Bikram yoga mat is generally comprised of three layers of different materials, as opposed to a regular yoga mat, which are just one layer and one material. They are built with a cotton or absorbent layer on the top, with a cushioning component in the middle and the bottom usually features some type of gripping function whether it is textured or embossed with rubber in some way. These mats are great if you are a germ freak, or simply is your have stinky sweat because most are designed to be thrown in the washing machine, making them fresh and clean for your next class. The price on these mats can vary greatly, but most commonly are in and around the $70-$80 range. This option is great for anyone who is strictly involved in Bikram yoga and no other form of yoga. It is ultimately designed to be in that type of environment so the aspects of traction as well as sweat absorbency have been fully accounted for.
More and more there are options coming out that take care of the traction/sweat equation. There are two other options that are not specifically for Bikrams, but still have the potential of getting the job done. One is found at Lululemon and is called the Hot Yogi Mat for a price of around $35. The other is the Hugger Mugger Tola, which is quite unique and has mixed reviews. It is a woven cotton yoga mat option. An option, that has been around since long before yoga gained it’s current popularity, is the standard yoga rug. Quite simply it is a tightly woven rug sized and shaped for yoga use. Viewed as less or more glamorous by some, it may in fact be an option for you.
The Bikram yoga mat is a useful tool for any hot yogi practitioner. Finding the right mat may include some trial and error or some shopping around. Another idea is to see if your local studio rents mats. If they do, you may be able to try out a few different options prior to deciding what will work best for you. There are an endless number of colors, and styles to suit everyone’s needs. And in the end the most important thing is that you are there to do yoga. So whatever it is that makes this possible is what is important, as it is the practice not the accessories that is going to serve your body the best!