Bikram Yoga Mats
Bikram Yoga Mats are perfect for any kind of hot yoga that you may practice. The main additional function that a Bikram yoga mat will serve over a regular mat is sweat management. When you are practicing yoga in a very hot room it inevitably leads to a lot of perspiration. A lot of perspiration can not only be uncomfortable but it can also contribute to a loss of traction.
Traction is one of the three essential components to any mat, in addition to stability and protection. So the key is with any hot yoga mat that you have all three components even in the sweaty situation. There are a few ways you can do this. There are Bikram yoga mat towels, there is sweat management and then there are Bikram yoga mats as well as cotton yoga mats.
One of the most common of the ways used is by placing a Bikram yoga mat towel over top of your current standard sticky yoga mat. Yoga mat towels range from $20 on the low end up to about $50. They are easy to manage as they will adhere to the mat beneath them and they are made to absorb moisture while still gripping you to the mat.
Another choice that I do not recommend is simply working on a regular mat and then using a towel, cotton clothing, headbands and wrist bands to keep your mat free from excessive moisture. many mats today are made to still give traction in a moist environment. Particularly if you have an open cell rubber constructed mat, you will still keep a lot of traction.
Your final option is to by an actual Bikram yoga mat. There is the Breathe mat is a mat designed specifically for this purpose. Or you can work it the old fashioned way and go with a cotton yoga mat. These have been used for centuries over in India and abroad. This is what people used in yoga before the dawn of plastic. Cotton not only breathes and absorbs, but it also gives a good amount of traction too. The traction that it offers even gets a little better when the mat is damp.
These cotton yoga rugs are not entirely popular but they are making a come back. If you want to give one a try then go for organic cotton if you can. A natural yoga mat is so grounding and soothing compared to a plastic one anyway. It can really create a whole new yoga experience. Look online for a mat in a size, pattern and color that is suitable for you. The best part about this is that when you get it dirty, which will be often you can just toss it in the wash and it will come out like new. Happy Yoga!