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As far as hobbies go, it is no secret that yoga is a pretty low-maintenance activity. At the most basic level, a membership to a gym or yoga studio should cover the required tools. If you are striving to become a true yogi, however, but still want to pamper the bank account, you can limit the essentials to one item, a comfortable and supportive yoga mat. As a novice, this purchase can be a daunting task. The yoga mat market is chalked full of dozens of styles, varying in texture, grip, thickness and so on.

I am a true believer in researching a product prior to swiping my credit card. Your yoga mat will become your best friend each time you enter class. You will sit, stand and recline on it. In no time, you will begin to rely on it for support and look to it for comfort when the going gets tough. In other words, it’s a purchase that should not be made haphazardly or without some degree of thought and consideration.

I cannot tell you which mat to buy, as it is an extremely subjective purchase, steeped in personal preference. Mats vary for a reason. I can, however, give you a few pointers, things to consider and a taste of what’s out there.

So, you are aiming to improve yourself through the ancient art of yoga, right? Hoping to cleanse the mind, body and spirit and possibly tone up a bit or lose some extra pounds? If so, then you better have one heck of a mat to help you along the way.

To sum it up, here’s what you want in a mat:

-Large enough to support a wide range of motion-various postures and extensions, including seated, standing and reclining poses.

-Soft edges

-Have a sufficient grip. Mats should not be too sticky as this limits activity. But if the mat is not sticky enough, it will slide around and lead you into a collision with the floor.

-The mat should be soft, yet firm. Soft enough to act as a cushion against the hard floor, but firm enough to support balance in any posture.

-Be very sweat-absorbant

-Machine washable. Yoga is low-maintenance, so the mat should be as well!

Keeping these ideas in mind, try to find a mat that fits your body, preference and style of yoga. If you plan to do Hot Yoga, sweat-absorbant should be pretty important, as should the grip. Folks with arthritis or joint pain should concentrate on the thickness to ensure a firm, yet pliable base of support.

Yoga mats are extremely individual and styles vary with each yogi. Colors span the rainbow and the design options are limitless. While attractiveness should not be a main concern, be sure to buy a mat that you can stand the sight of on a regular basis. For me, solid colors with no design sufficed, but others out there prefer to express themselves a bit more. Again, mats vary for a reason.

The last big aspect to consider is material. Yoga mats can be made out of numerous different materials. Some are made from PVC, while others are all-natural latex. Again, this decision boils down to personal preference. I, personally, wanted a mat that was environmentally friendly, so I chose the Harmony mat, which is 100% latex. Just a warning, however, if you have an allergy to latex, you should probably avoid this mat! PVC is not harmful to the skin, but it is a toxin and becomes environmentally unfriendly upon disposal.

As I said earlier, I am a big believer in research, so even if you’re taking my tips and information as the gospel truth, I still suggest you pop onto some discussion boards and see what others have to say. Try to avoid taking advice from sites that are out to sell you something, unless they are impartial and giving credit to other mats. Yoga is a great activity and can truly change your life on multiple dimensions, and purchasing a mat is your first step down this new and improved path!