Q&AJ: Do I really need a yoga mat to do yoga?
Contrary to what you might think, you don’t actually need a yoga mat to do yoga. Think about it: do you need a baseball diamond to play baseball, shoes to go running, or goggles to go swimming? These things only serve to support the actual movements. The yoga mat is a great tool to add a little bit of padding between you and the floor, plus it offers grip on smooth surfaces. This helps when doing many postures that require you to ground down into the floor (see also GROUNDING DOWN). If you just feel like trying out a few postures, you can practice them anywhere that you can stand. It’s that easy.
Most yoga studios offer free loner mats to their students. Use them. As you practice more, you’ll realize that having a yoga mat is extremely helpful. It becomes a familiar surface, one that your body recognizes. This allows you to drop in even deeper into the practice. It’s much more comfortable to roll around on your back or sit with the ankles against the ground when there is a little padding between you and the floor.
On one hand, it’s just a yoga mat and a place to practice. On the other, it becomes a second home and scared place. For however long you decide to spend on it, you can leave behind all of the stuff you don’t need while you practice. Much like a favorite pair of shoes, you may even grow attached to your yoga mat. Just be sure to take care of it as you would a good friend (see also SWEAT, SHOES). A little respect goes a long way, and everything good you put in, your liable to get much more in return.