Ever had the feeling, while hanging out in downward-facing-dog, that you are literally slipping away on your yoga mat? Talk about engaging some muscles. The pose can be challenging enough without the worry about sliding down onto your face.  If you are working hard, you are probably sweating.  I have found that although yoga mats always say they are ‘non slip’, I am slipping.

The instructors will say that pressing through your fingers will help.  It did not do the trick for me.  Keeping my hands dry is not realistic either.  So I did some research on this issue.  What finally worked for me was a handy, dandy yoga towel. These are special towels that cover your whole mat.  They absorb very well and become more effective when they become moist.  The most important characteristic of this towel is the rubbery knobs on the bottom (or top, whichever you prefer).

These knobs provide the essential grip needed to stay put.  I have been able to concentrate on the poses instead of fearing slipping and sliding.  One of the brands of towels is called Yogitoes.  They have several different products, but I like the full mat-sized towel to be the best.  There are other companies making this type of towel–I found one for a bit less at Sports Authority as well.

From my own experience and the reports from others, it seems all mats tend to be slippery.  It would be great if there was just a mat solution, and no towel was needed.  By far, the best mats available are Jade Harmony Mats and the Manduka Black Mat.  These mats are probably your best shot for not needing a towel as well.  Some people say yoga mats will become more sticky with use.  Others even suggest washing them to break them in a bit. 

One of the hazards of the towel is said to be interference with hopping. The hop occurs when coming from downward dog into forward fold.  It can also be hopping from forward fold into plank position.  Some complain the towel can bunch or move.  I held back on hopping for fear of this.  Only recently am I doing hops again, and it is going pretty smoothly.  It seems the rubber grips really hold the towel in place.  I even think the care I take in the hop makes it a bit more ‘floaty’, which is part of the goal there.

So if you find yourself slipping on the mat during yoga, consider the yoga towel.  Using the thin mat underneath, with the yoga towel on top seems to make the perfect combination for a slip-free yoga practice.

1. Kelly Brown Says:
   June 13th, 2009 at 4:12 am

   I really like your post. Does it copyright protected?

2. Yoga towel Says:
   August 1st, 2009 at 7:36 pm

   An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.