Jade Yoga Mat Grip

A yoga mat in the studio has a natural rubber surface that grips better the more you sweat. It is the opposite of synthetic mats that get slippery when wet and make you worry about your hands sliding out from under you during downward dog. Rubber has a slightly tacky texture that feels different from foam mats, heavier and denser with a firmness that supports your joints without the squishy instability of thick foam. I tried my friend's mat during a class last week and the grip quality changed my practice because I could hold poses longer without adjusting my hand and foot placement. Stability let me focus on the stretch rather than the surface. Rolling up dense and heavy at about 5 pounds for a standard 68-inch length, it is less portable than a lightweight travel mat but more durable and better performing for studio use.