Struggling in balance poses? You might have the wrong mat! How thick should a yoga mat be? For Beginners, knee problems, balance issues and more! Everything you need to know about why you might have mat that isn’t suitable for yoga! Too thick vs too Thin? Which is best?
If you can’t view the embedded video above, you can view the video on YouTube. Maybe add it to a playlist? Above all, remember to subscribe to my channel. New videos are uploaded regularly. However, for exclusive longer format videos sign up for my Patreon community. Each month we explore poses, transitions, and trouble areas. Patrons also get early access to all my videos, along with lots of other benefits. You join today for as little as $1 a month
Disclosure: Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of the product links and purchase a product, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
How Thick Should a Yoga Mat Be?
In the years I’ve been teaching yoga many times I’ve seen people buy the thickest mat they can find and then struggle. Conversely, I’ve also seen people get a thin yoga mat and complain the hard floor hurts their joints. So thick vs thin, how thick should a yoga mat be?
Really it comes down to the yoga style you are practicing. If you’re doing all floor exercises then a thick mat may be ok. But for standing and balance poses I recommend a thinner mat. This is because we get more feedback from the solid ground, and have more balance. Unstable surface = more balance challenge! The thicker your mat, the more balance challenge you will experience in standing!
Now, thin yoga mats mean that you might need some support for joints. This is why I highly recommend a yoga blanket on top of your mat for cushion and comfort. You’ll see mine in almost ALL my videos because I like to make myself comfortable!
So how thick should a yoga mat be? Basically, my advice is to go thin and add a blanket. That means you get the best of all options.
Like this post? PIN it to share with others!
Want more?
If you’re looking for real yoga for real bodies, consider joining my Patreon. Each month I release two yoga classes exclusively for my Patreon community. On the other hand, other ways to find more yoga with me are signing up for my 7-day yoga challenge, or subscribing to my YouTube channel. Remember you can get your reminder to practice more with my “do more yoga” t-shirt.
Questions
- Do you have a thick or thin mat?
- Have you tried a yoga blanket in your practice?
- How comfortable are you on your mat?
