Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic, intense type of practice. It has many elements with jumps, dynamic balance along with static asanas. Increased loads, a large range of movements sets certain requirements for the yoga mat.

Let’s formulate these requirements and try to select specific models for this type of yoga.

Durability. This is probably the most intensive practice. Often the palms and feet are placed dynamically, sometimes with a little slippage and adjustment to the correct position from an intermediate one. If you have a lot of weight, then this requirement becomes one of the most important. Try to immediately place your feet in the correct position, this will not only save your energy, but also save the mat. If you are a beginner, and want to read how to choose yoga mat as a beginner.

Grip. Pay attention to the friction of the mat with wet palms – intensive practice leads to increased sweating. The mat should not lose its sticky properties when wet, but its dry friction should also be at its best. Slipping in a difficult asana can easily cause injury. Therefore, before buying, ask the sellers how the mat will behave with sweaty palms.

Stretching under load. Only well-reinforced mats are suitable for Ashtanga yoga practice. Cheap EVA mats or tourist foam mats are not allowed. They stretch when supported, do not hold the asana, and can tear.
Hygiene.

If you sweat in your clothes, you will send them to the wash. You should also take care of your yoga mat. Of course, this does not mean that you need to put it in the washing machine after each session. But it is worth cleaning the mat with special products. For these purposes, a mat with a non-absorbent surface is better suited. Or a special coating that is easy to wash.

Increased length. Moving during practice, throwing legs during vinyasas require an increased length of the yoga mat. Usually it is from 215 cm to 250 cm. However, with a perfected technique, you can fit into smaller dimensions – up to 200 cm. But with a standard 183 cm mat, you will constantly find yourself outside its limits, perhaps on a not very clean floor in a yoga studio.

And, probably, the last important quality of a mat for dynamic practice is elasticity . It is much more comfortable to perform movements and jumps if there is a dense but elastic surface under your feet. Such elasticity is provided by a dense foam structure and sufficient thickness of the yoga mat, about 6 mm.

Chandra Mat Yoga Mat, Great for Dynamic Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga PracticeLet’s look at some mats that we recommend for Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

• Bodhi Chandra . This mat is made of high-density eco-PVC, which provides outstanding wear resistance. Frequent shallow ribbing provides good friction. The thickness of 6.5 mm and the foam structure provide ideal cushioning. The length of 200 cm for the XL version is well suited for dynamic yoga and will not greatly affect the weight and dimensions.

The hygienic properties are at their best, the mat can be wiped with a cleaning cloth to make it as good as new. This mat is specially designed for Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and we recommend it without hesitation. For all these advantages, you have to pay with weight and above-average cost. The color is uncompromisingly black, traditional for this type of yoga.

• Bodhi Rishikesh. This is a universal mat that is available in several lengths. The length of 200 or 220 cm will suit us. It is made in Germany from high-density PVC, absolutely hypoallergenic. The mat has good grip, but may allow breakdowns in dynamics with very wet palms. But this is a common property of any PVC mat. Excellent wear resistance and average weight can also be written down as advantages.

In addition, its cost will not ruin you. The elasticity is average, 4.5 mm is already on the verge of comfort in jumps and dynamic supports. But you can choose any of the seven available colors and buy a mat of increased width – 80 cm.

• Manduka Black Mat – Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Mat Manduka Black Mat. This is a classic Ashtanga yoga mat, which actually set the trend for a special mat for dynamic practice. Excellent wear resistance, density and elasticity, length 215 cm, good grip – for these properties it is deservedly appreciated by Ashtanga Vinyasa lovers all over the world. The thickness of 6 mm provides good cushioning. The mat is made of foamed eco-PVC, hygienic.

Disadvantages: clearly overpriced, heavy weight and dimensions. There is only one color for this length, traditionally dark gray, anthracite. To improve grip, it is recommended to wipe this mat with coarse salt before the first use, then rinse it with water. The more and more intensively you practice on this mat, the softer and better it becomes. However, this applies to all mats made of dense PVC.Cotton yoga mat

We did not consider mats made of natural rubber. Firstly, it is rare to find a rubber yoga mat longer than 185 cm. And secondly, the increased friction of such a mat can be an obstacle to the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa, preventing you from quickly adjusting the asana to the correct form. In addition, rubber mats have a number of other disadvantages in relation to this type of practice – they are not as wear-resistant and hygienic, they are expensive.

Few orthodox people use cotton mats . But, in our opinion, this is already a level of extra-class practice, when a yogi can immediately put the body in an ideal position and is able to hold the asana with the strength of muscles, without relying on the sticky properties of the mat. What is good about a cotton mat? Of course, it is 100% natural covering, it is easy to carry and can be washed without any problems.