prAna Yoga Mat review: a great Manduka yoga mat alternative.

Hello Yogis!

I have talked a lot about Manduka in the past, but today I want to address a company who makes very similiar yoga mats at a lower price. The company prAna makes some really nice yoga mats definitely worth giving a shot if you don’t want to pay for a more expensive Manduka Yoga Mat. Most of the reviews I have read about prAna have been nothing but good so there seems to be a large group of happy buyers – even Manduka gets the occasional negative complaint!

prAna The Revolution Yoga Mat – This is the Mercedes of Yoga Mats. Out of every yoga mat I have reviewed, none have as many good reviews than this mat. It is an extra wide mat which is an aspect not many mats address – this is also one of the reasons I really like this mat. Often times I feel a little constricted on the 2 foot wide mats. This mat is more expensive than most, however definitely worth it if you are looking for that kind of quality. I highly recommend you buy from Amazon here for the cheapest rate. I wasn’t able to find this cheaper anywhere else.

prAna The Natural Yoga Mat – As the name says – made completely out of all natural rubber. This mat has some really good anti-slip attributes so it’s great for all you heavy sweaters out there. This mat is also extra long so its great for taller people.  The only bad thing I have heard about this mat is its’ smell – but you will get over that. You can get this mat for as low as $27 through this link on Amazon.

prAna E.C.O. Sticky Mat – If you are one of those green conscious people, than this yoga mat is for you. Definitely a lot cheaper than the Manduka equivalent and just as good. One major problem people talk about is its durability – which you can expect out of an eco friendly mat. People who practice Yoga 5-6x a week say it will last you about 6 months. You can buy this mat cheap through Amazon here.

The Best Yoga Mat That is 1/4 Inch Thick. 1/4 Inch Yoga Mats Are Great For All Levels.

Many people ask me what is the best yoga mat in the 1/4 inch thickness range. While there are literally dozens of different 1/4 inch mats, there are only 2 that I can recommend as being the best, long lasting mats. I consider the follow mats the best in the 1 4 inch range because of their durability, comfort, and also the stickiness – I know a lot of people really love sticky mats.

Manduka BlackMatPRO 71-Inch Yoga and Pilates Mat

As you can all tell by now, I am a huge Manduka Fan. But it’s for a good reason! these mats are simply the best there is. This particular one provides superior comfort, while still only being 1/4 inch thick. Not only the but the amount of slip protection it offers is unmatchable. While it is a little bit more expensive than other mats, it will last you 2 to 3 times longer than a traditional yoga mat. So in the long run, this mat is a lot cheaper. Want to buy it? It is currently on sale at Amazon through this link.

Tapas Ultra Nature Collection Yoga Mat 1/4″

Here is the 2nd best one that people seem to rate well. While it can’t compare with the Manduka 1/4, it is still a good yoga mat to get started with. It will last a normal practioner about a year. A good alternative if you dont want to pay the $70 for the Manduka. Comes in Green, Red, and Blue. You can get this mat cheapest at Amazon through this link.

1/4 inch is a perfect size for all skill levels.

Regardless of your skill level, the 1/4 inch mat is probably the most well rounded thinkness you can get in a mat. Because of that, it is great for any Yoga practioner, regardless of your skill level. If you want a thicker mat, I suggest going 5/16 inch.

Manduka PROlite review: the best travel yoga mat money can buy!

Hey Guys and Gals,

Today, I want to cover the topic of travel Yoga mats. First off, I am a very serious Yoga practicioner – however my job as a flight attendant often colides with my Yoga studies. For that reason, I usually always carry two things on flights with me: my advanced yoga book and my Manduka PROlite travel Yoga mat. Let’s take a look at this Manduka mat.

Manduka 71-Inch PROlite Travel Yoga and Pilates Mat
The thing I like about this mat is also the quality that makes it easy to travel with – the weight. It is probably the most lightweight yoga mat that I have ever used. A lot of yoga mats tend to absorb sweat, which really increases the weight of the mat. This mat doesn’t absorb anything, yet still is a very sticky mat when it comes to gripping the floor and your feet. Another great thing about this mat is it is really easy to roll up and make it small. While it has a good amount of padding, its shape makes it really easy to roll up and store in a suitcase or whatever it is you like to travel with. If you want to buy this mat, I highly recommend you buy it through Amazon here. You won’t find it cheaper anywhere else!

Doesn’t have to be used for travel either

I hear a lot of complaints from people saying that mats tend to be really heavy and annoying to lug around. The Manduka Prolite is extremely easy to transport because of its unique shape when rolled up and its weight. Even though it is a travel mat, you could easily use this one as your everyday mat and not have to worry about it wearing out. It is extremely durable and is designed to last your whole lifetime.

Jade makes one sticky yoga mat that will never slip on you.

Hello All! Sorry for my lack of posting as of late.

Recently, I have been getting a lot of questions about what is the best sticky yoga mat you can buy. After going through many different mats in my day, I have found that Jade makes some really great sticky yoga mats that are 100% eco-friendly. If you sweat a lot, or take a Yoga style that is heavy in movements, I highly recommend you get a sticky mat to avoid having your mat travel around the room when you are practicing.

My personal Favorite: Jade Harmony Pro 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat

This mat is a favorite with many people at my school, as well as on any online website I have checked. The Jade Harmony mat is extremely sticky – both when gripping the ground and also good at gripping your feet and hands. Even when my mat is completely soaked in sweat, it has no problem with traction or slippage. My only negative I can say about this mat is that it is heavy and reeks of rubber for the first month of use. However, after a good sweat bath and washing, the smell will fade.

Available in all sorts of colors – from pink, green, blue, red, orange, black, brown and a few others. You can get this mat cheapest at Amazon through this link. It is currently on sale for 10% off.

Want a thicker mat? Try the Jade Fusion 5/16-Inch mat.

This is a massive yoga mat that provides an extra layer of padding, but still has the non-slip, sticky properties of the small Jade Harmony mat. Great if you find some of the positions tough on your joints. It is available in green, blue, and red. Got good news for you if you want to buy this mat – it is currently on sale at Amazon for $11 off through this link. Amazon is definitely the best place to buy your Yoga supplies from.

As I said, if you are a heavy sweater, or your Yoga style is movement based, you definitely need a non-slip yoga mat. While there are definitely cheaper mats out there than the ones above, none compare in quality and durability which is why I included these in my review.

Keep Practicing!

Thick Yoga Mats: Review of Best Thick Mats And How to Stay Safe.

Lately, I have had a lot of questions about where to buy thick yoga mats, and whether or not it is safe to use them. If you find that a thin yoga mat still puts pressure on your body, you might want to consider upgrading to a thicker yoga mat. That said, I can only recommend a thick yoga mat if you truly can’t take the pain from a thinner mat.

Manduka Eco Yoga Kit (5mm thick eKO mat) – If you don’t know by now, I am a huge fan of Manduka. I love these because they are eco-friendly and durable as hell. This is one of their thicker models that is still quite easy to balance on. This is my recommended purchase if you are looking for a thick mat that also provides stability. Comes in Red, Blue, or Green. This Mat is currently on sale for $27 off at Amazon through this link.

Jade Fusion 74-Inch x 5/16-Inch Yoga Mat – This is a really great mat that is both thick, durable, and provides decent stability. Comes in Green, Red, or Blue. A lot of people really love this one, however it is one of the more expensive mats out there which is why I recommend the Manduka over this one. This mat is also on sale for $11 off at Amazon – buy it here.

3/8” Pilates Aero Yoga Mat - This is a super thick yoga mat – I don’t think you will find one any thinker than this. There are two things I dont like about this mat – its just a little bit to thick making it hard to balance on, and the durability is not that great. This one will probably only last you a year but for $20, you can’t go wrong.

As it turns out, thick yoga mats aren’t as ’safe’ as thinner ones depending on your skill level and body type. Thicker mats are a lot harder to balance on as the mat gives under areas of your foot that support the bulk of your weight. This means you will constantly be wiggling around while other people stand strong.

I have also heard that thicker mats can cause back and knee problems, which does make sense as it forces your body to support your weight in ways it was not meant to.

With all that said, if you are willing to sacrifice usability for comfort, then I suggest you buy one of the mats above.

Cotton Yoga Mats: Which Cotton Mat is Best for Yoga Practice?

I am not a particular fan of cotton yoga mats but I know that a lot of people really like them. The thing that is best about cotton yoga mats is that it provides a lot more padding than your standard Yoga mat material. Below are the most popular cotton mats for Yoga.

Hugger Mugger Cotton Yoga Mat - The is one of the more expensive mats made of cotton but it has some really nice features. Its padding is almost 2 inches in height – the most padding you can find in any type of yoga mat. The Hugger Mugger Cotton Mat is only available through Amazon Here. It is just under $110.

MindBodyBliss Natural Cotton Large Yoga Mat - This one is probably the biggest Yoga Mat money can buy. It is made of all natural cotton and spans 72×36 inches making it the largest yoga mat available. I like this particular one because it is half the price as the Hugger Mugger yet offers just about the same quality. Although, it is not as thick as the HM. It is currently on sale for $10 off at Amazon through this link.

Yoga Cotton Waffle Mat - Here is a good bargin brand cotton mat. While not as big as the others, still a very cost effective solution. Pretty decent quality too from what I have read. Check it out here.

Why I dis-like Cotton Yoga Mats

There is only one thing I hate about this fabric – while it does provide excellent grip and traction, it tends to collect sweat like no other. This thing will reek if you don’t wash it weekly. They can get really nasty, really fast depending on your style of Yoga – Especially if you practice hot yoga.

Yogitoes Skidless Premium Mat Size Yoga Towel: If You Sweat a Lot In Yoga Class, Get This!

For those of you that sweat a lot during Yoga class, I highly suggest you get one of Yogitoes skidless yoga mat towels. The other day I tried a Bikram Yoga class to see if I liked the style. One thing I noticed different from my current Yoga studio is that all the ‘experts’ had towels over their mats. At first, I thought it was just one of those trend things that people like to buy to show off – like “hey look at what I’m using – this is what all the pros use so therefore I’m a pro!”

After the class was over, I understood why they all had yoga towels! Midway through class I noticed that my yoga mat was starting to pool sweat like crazy. I also started slipping all over the place after a good amount built up on it – making it almost impossible to keep up with the rest of the class.

If you are looking for a really good Yoga towel, I suggest you buy a Yogitoes. It is currently on sale at amazon here.

Yogitoes Skidless Full Size Yoga Mat Towel: The Perfect Solution!

About half of them had the Yogitoes brand so naturally I just had to have one(ok so i’m a little trendy). But seriously, this particular Yoga towel is the best because of the amount of extra grip it provides – check out the specs:

• 100 percent silicone eco nubs grip the mat or carpet.
• Premium mat-size yoga towel for slip prevention and sweat absorption.
• Keeps your hands and feet from slipping mid position.
• Measures 24 x 68 inches – will cover most yoga mats.
• Can buy it in many different colors including: blue, green, orange, purple, red, sand, white, stone, earth, fire, gold, and many more. For a full list of colors, check out the amazon page here.

Only one negative thing about this towel

Not everything is perfect – I noticed that after a few washes the color really starts to bleed out while washing. Because of that, I suggest you get a light colored towel – white won’t bleed obviously.

Wholesale yoga mats – resell these mats at your school and turn a good profit.

At my Power Yoga class, our instructor makes a killing off reselling wholesale yoga mats. What he does is by rolls of these mats, cut them to size and resells them for twice, sometimes three times, the original cost. When we have a new student sign up or one that comes in interested, the first thing he does is push the Yoga mats right off the bat.

He isn’t annoying with it though which is why I think his yoga mats sell so well. Yes, students will find better deals online or can buy a single mat for cheaper than what he offers. However, this doesn’t stop people from buying them by any means. I would say that 50% of the students in my class all use the yoga mats they bought of my teacher which he got wholesale.

You can buy some really nice Yoga Mats online at wholesale price – Check these ones out:

4mm Thick Yoga Mats - You can buy this whole pack of 24 Yoga mats for about $330. These are actually high quality mats which you could easily price at $35 each and make plenty of sales from.

Environmentally Friendly ECO/TPE Yoga Mats – These are more expensive but they tailor to a special niche of people – people who are trying to be ‘green’. For some reason there are a ton of these people interested in Yoga. They comes in a 24 pack and cost $600 and are available in blue, black, and orange. However, since these a special yoga mats, you could easily charge $50 for one and still turn a decent profit.

GOGO Premium 6mm Thick High Density Sticky Yoga Mat - These mats are particularly popular because of their stickiness. Makes them great for power yoga. A good choice for certain types of Yoga that require really sticky mats.

Think about this – a new student comes in, signs up for a month worth of classes and buys a yoga mat as well. Even if this person never comes back again after that month(seems like a lot of people don’t come back), he has just made an extra $20-$30 dollars off this person. This can add up especially when you get 1 new interested customer a day.