Yoga exercise mats are typically thin and somewhat tacky in nature, and I don't mean the type of tacky that would make you cringe at the thought of going out in public with it either. No, yoga exercise mats are designed with the express purpose of providing a non-slip surface for which to practice your yoga poses on, although certainly the other connotation of tacky can apply to some of the designs that can be seen carted into any yoga class.
Material
Being a relatively conservation-minded person myself, I like the idea of my yoga exercise mat being made out of a renewable resource that is biodegradable should it ever come time to replace the mat. An excellent option to that end is a yoga exercise mat made out of natural rubber. It provides excellent traction even when wet, which makes it a great mat to work with at the beach, especially if your workout lasts a little longer than expected and the waves catch the edges of your mat while tide is coming in. You can simply pick your mat up, relocate and not have to worry so much about drying it off. A rubber mat is also notorious for being very dense, tough and durable, meaning it will last and can be put through a bit of punishment before it comes time to replace it.
If you don't plan on traveling so much for your daily routine and prefer a more padded and comfortable yoga exercise mat, then you might look into a mat constructed of cotton. Most cotton yoga exercise mats are easily rolled up and stored away, complete with little ties attached to them to keep them rolled up when not in use. With a small layer of cotton batting padding the yoga exercise mat it can help provide extra support when doing most inverted poses that can put a bit of uncomfortable strain on the neck.
Synthetic materials are an option when shopping for a yoga exercise mat, and they can come in a variety of sizes and colors or designs. While a synthetic yoga exercise mat may not be so environmentally friendly, they can be just as comfortable and durable as the natural fiber mats, so if you find one you like that is within your price range, by all means, go for it.
For almost every yogi, price is going to help determine your selection of a yoga exercise mat, especially if you're just starting out in the realm of yoga and you aren't very sure you want to spend a whole lot on testing this new adventure. There are plenty of low cost yoga exercise mats out there, and you're bound to find one that meets your needs.
