The Joy of a Cotton Yoga Mat

When studying and practising modern yoga in the western world one seldom sees a cotton yoga mat. Instead one often ends up using synthetic padded mats made from petroleum-derived plastics. Yet the cotton yoga mat dates back hundreds of years in India and is a far more ecological and, for some, pleasant way of connecting with the spirit of yoga.

For centuries in India, people practised yoga directly on bare earth. In fact some even think that connecting directly with the earth is a far more authentic way to feel rooted, or grounded. And in other spiritual disciplines such as Tai Chi, many argue that you should not wear shoes or socks or anything else that interferes with your ability to feel the earth.

Modern yoga though is usually followed by people who have become accustomed to a somewhat softer life than that of the original yoga masters. Even today in India many millions of people still sleep on the ground, so performing yoga on it is no hardship.

I'm not suggesting that there is anything in the slightest wrong with using a padded mat. In fact the one I use is extra thick because my bony bits seem to bruise really easily. But it is worth noting that there is a long tradition in India of using more natural products that maintain one's connection with the earth. Over the years these have included hand woven yoga mats and rugs. A number of big-name producers have now cottoned on to the fact that western yoga practitioners are looking for a more natural alternative and have brought the tradition of cotton mats over from India where they are still widely used in centres such as Mysore. 

The biggest problem I find with synthetic mats is that they quickly become slick and slippery when I start to sweat. This is especially a problem in the more athletic forms of yoga such as Astanga yoga that I practise. I especially notice it when going into downward facing dog as my hands start to slip away from me. It is also a problem for people who follow yoga practices that produce a lot of heat (or take place in heated rooms) such as Bikram yoga.

The advantage of a cotton yoga mat under these circumstances is that it soaks up your sweat without getting slippery. Once you've used a skidless yoga mat it is hard to go back to the old slippery sort. They are also environmentally friendly as you don't feel you are face down on something that once came from a barrel of oil. For those who are really concerned about the environment and their health it is also possible to find 100% organic cotton yoga mats.

Two other practical considerations are that cotton mats can easily be put over a padded yoga mat. This gives you all the advantages of padding to protect the sensitive bits of your body but also the feeling of resting on a more natural substance. Many people who use cotton mats simply take them along to classes and rest them over the existing mats that the yoga school provides. Since the cotton yoga mats are washable this provides a convenient and hygienic compromise for those who don't like to carry a full-size padded mat around with them.

One can also get stuffed yoga mats that have a cotton outer lining and an inner-filled with padding to make the whole mat softer. Think of a mini-futon and you are getting close to what these are like. The main difference is that these are much thinner so they are still portable.

Cotton yoga mats are made by a number of reputable companies in the yoga world. Among them are Gaiam. Agoy also makes a really beautiful organic cotton yoga mat that it calls the Chakra mat. It is handwoven and becomes less slippery as it gets a little damper so the more you seat the better it works. This helps it work brilliantly as an Ashtanga yoga mat.

In addition if you look around a bit you may find cotton yoga mats that are hand made in India, thus providing employment as well as a comfortable and slip-free surface for you to perform your yoga.

The Hugger Mugger is a really luxurious and thick padded mat. It has about two inches of cotton which makes it a bit like a futon. It is really good for those positions where your bony bits get sqashed.

Another really popular mat is the organic cotton yoga mat made by Yoga Accessories. It is, as its name suggests, made of organic cotton. It is also really well padded, even more so than the Hugger Mugger, as it has about 3 inches of cotton stuffing. Its cover is really soft. Both of these mats have covers that come off for washing. You can also find a beautiful range of other accessories, though in truth you don't really need them, such as cotton yoga pants. I love mine and wear them quite often but they are not at all essential. Another nice to have luxury is a yoga mat bag to tote your new cotton mat.

I also recently got an email from Kevin at Prairie Rugs about what he thinks may be the world's most eco-friendly yoga mat. I'll copy thhe whole thing right here:

I just read your post about cotton yoga mats. My company, Prairie Rugs, have been making quality cotton rugs (chindi) for 15 years. For the past 12 months my partner in India and I have developed what we believe is the most eco-friendly and highest quality cotton yoga mat on the planet. Our Yogasana rug is hand-loomed in an ancient region of India know as the cradle of civilization. The pride of craftsmanship is reflected by the signature of the master weaver on each rug. The mats are 24"x72" and take about 3 days to weave. They have a 15 year warranty but are made to last a lifetime and never end up in a landfill. Hope you will check them out: www.yogasanarugs.com Cheers! Kevin