A proper-sized yoga mat can make or break your practice. You need the optimal yoga mat dimensions for your body and your practice preference. When I’m on my mat, I want to feel comfortable and like I have enough space. But, finding the right yoga mat for your yoga practice requires that you do a bit of reading. Fortunately for you, I’m giving you all the info you need to choose the perfect yoga mat here. This one article is all it takes for you to become a yoga mat dimensions connoisseur!
Article content:
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Tips for choosing the best yoga mat size
Why yoga mat dimensions matter
How having the right size yoga mat enhances your practice
An overview of yoga mat standard sizes
An overview of yoga mat thicknesses
How to choose the perfect yoga mat for your body size
Why different styles of yoga might require a different size yoga mat
Why having a yoga mat is important
Takeaway on yoga mat dimensions
Tips for choosing the best yoga mat size for your space & your yoga practice
The questions you want to be asking yourself when finding the perfect yoga mat size are:
- How tall am I and how much do I weigh?
- Where will I be using this yoga mat?
- Where will I be taking my mat?
- What style of yoga do I plan to do?
- Do I need more than one yoga mat?
What matters the most when looking into yoga mat sizes is your height and weight, logically enough. Yoga is for everyone, but not all yoga mats are – you really want to have a yoga mat that supports your size as a human.
In general, your mat should be wider and longer than you.
Now, the right yoga mat size also depends on the space you have available. What is the point of having a super large yoga mat if you have nowhere to put it? So you’ll also want to consider logistics.
Additionally, when choosing your yoga mat sizes, think about whether this is a mat you intend to carry around or plan to keep in one place at all times. And if you are carrying it around, where are you taking it to? Taking it to a local yoga studio may mean different dimensions than taking it with you for travels.
You'll also want to consider what style of yoga you need the mat for. Different styles of yoga require different thicknesses, for example. There's more about this below.
Why yoga mat dimensions matter (length, width & thickness)
Your mat dimensions matter because you can stretch properly in any given pose on the right mat size. For example, you’re feet shouldn’t be hanging off of the back of the mat in Cobra pose, and you want to be able to take as wide of a stance as you wish in any Warrior pose.
You are not limited in your practice if you have a properly fitted yoga mat. If you’re not too tall, you can take advantage of the biggest perk of smaller yoga mats, which is their portability.
A yoga mat of proper thickness is key to comfort, support, and control. I get more into that later.
And if it’s cold, you will want as much warmth coming from the mat as possible. So that's where optimal thickness comes in.
How having the right size yoga mat enhances your practice
A properly sized yoga mat helps ground you and gives you more stability when needed.
By becoming aware of the sensations in your feet from touching the mat, you are more awakened and present.
A thinner mat is great for stability if you’re doing balancing poses, while thicker mats are great for therapeutic classes during which you spend most time lying down.
An overview of yoga mat standard sizes
It’s good to know your options if you wish to find the best yoga mat size for you:
Standard size yoga mat dimensions:
The standard yoga mat size is 68-72” long (173-183cm), 24” wide (61cm), and has a mat thickness of about 1.2 inch or 0.3cm thick. This is the most optimal thickness for both more active and passive styles of yoga.
Large size yoga mat dimensions:
A large size yoga mat is usually a foot longer and/or wider than a standard yoga mat. They can be up to 84” or 213cm long and up to 36” or 91cm wide.
For tall or big bodies, trying longer or extra-wide yoga mats might be a good idea. Such a mat will help you get the most out of your practice. This is certainly nice, especially if you just wish to sprawl out on your mat during a restorative session.
If it’s too cumbersome for you to carry a large yoga mat (they can definitely be heavy!), you can always ask to leave it at the gym or the studio you go to. When I was teaching at a studio, my students were allowed to leave their yoga mats so they didn’t have to worry about the mat’s portability.
Small size yoga mat dimensions:
The typical size of a smaller mat is 60” (152cm) by 24” (61cm).
Small size yoga mats, also known as travel mats, are generally smaller and easier to fold, pack, and carry around.
An overview of yoga mat thicknesses
The thickness of yoga mats can vary significantly. The thicker the mat, the better it protects you from injuries.
However, thicker yoga mats will make it more difficult to perform balanced poses. It's best that beginners pick thicker mats, while more advanced yogis should go for thinner ones. Let’s see what the best option for you is.
Standard yoga mat thickness:
Standard yoga mat size is about 0.125”, which is 0.3175cm. It has the most intensity and the best grip.
Yoga mat dimensions from 0.4cm (0.157”) and above are comfortable, while the 0.6cm (0.236”) mats are great for those with sensitive knees, women practicing with their babies, or the elderly who need more softness.
There are also thicker yoga mats, from 0.6cm to 1.2cm (0.23-0.47”). Although they seem cozy, such mats are not intended for most yoga styles. Moreover, these are usually PVC mats, and as such, are not eco-friendly. Natural rubber is a better option.
Travel yoga mat thickness:
A thin yoga mat, also known as travel yoga mat, is normally 0.03-0.07” thick, which is 0.1-0.2cm. I like travel yoga mats very much for their compactness. They can fit anywhere!
Extra padding yoga mat thickness:
A thick yoga mat usually ranges from 0.23” (0.6cm) to as much as 3.9 – 4.7” (10 or 12cm). Such mats will make you feel wobbly and unstable, and it’s harder to feel a strong connection to the ground.
A thicker yoga mat is good if you are doing pilates, or a yoga style that’s mostly done lying down, but a mat that’s 1.4” would definitely be unnecessarily thick.
How to choose the perfect yoga mat for your body size
- Choose a mat that’s 2-5 inches longer than your height.
- If you are under 5'5″, you can decide on the standard 68” mat.
- For yogis between 5.6 and 6 feet, a 72” mat is the perfect choice.
- Yogis who are over 6 feet tall, an 84-85” long mat could be a great fit.
Why different styles of yoga might require a different size yoga mat
For more active styles that involve a lot of balancing, a thinner mat is a great option. A thicker mat, on the other hand, is recommended for therapeutic yoga classes, such as Yin yoga or Restorative.
The best size yoga mat for Restorative yoga
For that extra plush feeling, thick yoga mats 0.5cm – 0.8cm (0.19-0.31”) are great. Since you don’t have to worry about balancing, you can opt for a softer, extra-wide yoga mat.
The best size yoga mat for Vinyasa yoga
If you practice a yoga style that is more vigorous, such as Vinyasa, a thinner and denser yoga mat would be most welcome. The ideal thickness is 0.3cm – 0.4cm, as it provides better stability and balance. Also, make sure it’s a mat made of natural rubber, with a good grip and a non-slip surface.
Is it ok to bring an extra large yoga mat into a yoga studio?
If the space is too small, your wider yoga mat choice might be frowned upon. The best thing is to ask your yoga teacher and show him/her your mat. It will really depend on the number of practitioners and the amount of space each person has at their disposal.
You undoubtedly see a lot of Lulumon yoga mats in any yoga studio. Lululemon mats are 66cm x 180cm (26″ x 71″) and either 5mm thick (0.19“) or 3mm thick (0.12”).
Why having a yoga mat is important
As Yoga International explains it, a yoga mat is a space where our minds and bodies come to take a moment for themselves and to connect. If placed in a space that is specially designed to be your yoga space, your yoga mat can serve as an anchor for all the beautiful feelings and states that your yoga practice can bring you. Just stepping on it might be enough to activate a different mindset.
Other benefits of practicing on a yoga mat versus the bare floor are:
- It protects sensitive joints, especially in asanas where you place all your weight on your joints, such as plank.
- It helps you remain locked in a certain pose, such as an arm balance.
- Without it, you need to place more effort on your muscles and core, especially for transitions from and into a Downward Facing Dog.
- They provide great cushioning for your knees.
- Most yoga mats have a grippy and sticky surface to help you not slip up, even if you have sweaty feet.
Takeaway on yoga mat dimensions
As you can see, in yoga, size matters. Proper yoga mat dimensions are key for having a comfortable yoga class.
So don’t rush into buying the most hyped or expensive mat brand; rather, make an informed choice using the tips I provided to decide on the ideal yoga mat for you.
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