Yoga is not a water sport! If you’ve been slipping and sliding during yoga, you’re probably feeling frustrated. It’s normal. Slipping around on the mat can interrupt your focus, make poses feel trickier, and take you out of the moment. In addition to being annoying, slipping around during yoga could actually put you at risk for injury because it’s easy to lose your balance. The answer isn’t to stop giving your all because you want to avoid sweating. Let’s talk about some ways to fix a slippery yoga mat.
1. Don’t Apply Lotion Before Yoga
If you’re addicted to moisturizer, you might want to consider skipping the lotion on yoga days. The oils and ingredients in moisturizers and creams can alter our body chemistry. This can leave a slight residue on the mat that causes our feet and hands to slip when they come into contact with the mat. Some skincare products can also create little “oil slicks” once we start sweating during hot yoga.
2. Clean Your Mat After Every Use
Find a nontoxic cleanser that can help to remove oily film from the surface of your mat. The key here is to clean the mat consistently after each session instead of waiting until it starts looking dirty. Make sure that the mat is fully dried before rolling it up or putting it away.
3. Sit on Your New Mat Before You Use It
Did you know that many new yoga mats have natural slipperiness to them? That’s why slipping and sliding can catch you by surprise even if you’re experienced. Don’t bring a new mat to class. Spend a little time breaking it in by doing some crunches or sitting on it while you watch television. Placing only your back on the mat is preferred while breaking it in because this position reduces the risk of slipping if you lose footing with your wrists or ankles.
4. Buy a Yoga Mat That’s Less Likely to Feel Slippery
Consider shopping specifically for a no-slip yoga mat. While some mats are marketed as being able to prevent slippage, it’s also helpful to simply know which materials are more likely to be slippery. In general, PVC yoga mats are the slipperiest. Mats made from rubber or polyurethane tend to be less slippery. Check out our blog post about some of our favorite mats here!
5. Start Using a Yoga Towel Over Your Mat
You may have seen some people in the yoga studio with thin layers of cloth over their yoga mats. These are called yoga towels. Made with dense microfibers that help to ensure they stay in place, yoga towels can help to stabilize your positioning on a mat.
There’s no question that having the right mat settings down is going to enhance your yoga experience. However, nothing is as important as finding an empowering, welcoming setting where you won’t need to feel self-conscious if things are getting a little slippery on the mat. Ignite Yoga has been rated the #1 Centerville yoga studio because we provide a welcoming atmosphere guided by the best yoga professionals around. Join a virtual or in-person yoga class today!
