I've been in the yoga industry since the early 1990s. That remarkable journey includes: being a student (I still am to this day), teaching at incredible yoga facilities, and eventually opening my very own truly amazing-one-of-a-kind yoga studio in Central Florida.
This story... a true story takes place with an anonymous yoga student at an undisclosed location where I used to teach. Yes, this really happened.
Can you imagine doing this if your mat were slippery?
A slippery yoga mat can be the bane of existence for the yoga practitioner. It makes sense because it is difficult to concentrate on the current task while fighting for stability through your feet or your hands. Needless to say, a common question to yoga teachers is: "How can I stop from slipping during class?" A great question indeed. And I will reveal the answer soon. But first my story...
I was approached by a student who asked, "What can I do to keep my hands from slipping?" I answered with a question, "Do you use lotion?"
Because, you see, lotion can make a slippery mat even slipperier.
They answered, "No. I didn't use lotion."
The next time they came to class, they were still suffering from slippery hands. Again I asked, "Do you use lotion?" Again they answered, "No. I don't use lotion."
The third and final time they came to class, they were still suffering from slippery hands. Again I asked, "Do you use lotion?" Again they answered, "No. I don't use lotion." "None at all?," I pressed. To which they responded, "Well, just on my legs." "How did it get on your legs?"
They never came back to the studio after that. Well, at least, not to my class.
With that being said, here are some insider tips to keep your yoga mat slip-free...
- You can use a top mat. I had one of these on top of my trusty Manduka Black Mat for years. You see, when a sticky mat gets wet, it becomes slippery. Think 'Slip and Slide'. But when a top mat gets wet, it creates more traction and stability.
- You can use a simple hand towel. Some folks will have a trouble spot with either their hands or their feet. Just grab a regular old hand towel, moisten it, and place it at the top or the bottom of your mat (for your hands or feet).
- Keep your hands and/or feet dry and free of lotion or oils. I know folks who have used witch hazel or rubbing alcohol on their hands and feet prior to yoga practice to keep them from slipping during class.
Insider's Tip: A moistened hand towel is an easy way to prevent hand slippage.
Make sure that in either case (top mat or hand towel) that you DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER whenever you wash them. Fabric softener, like lotion, will make the surface of the top mat or towel slippery.
The cat's out of the bag... you now have some excellent tips with staying power that will keep your yoga mat slip-free forever.
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