I decided to buy a new yoga mat.   That decision was easy, then came "Which one?"  There were so many options.   Do I follow the Eco trend that’s currently widespread?  Is the intention really there, or are the mat makers just playing to the market?  I’m not out to destroy the environment or anything, I"m just a little leary of the bandwagon mentality that can come in regards to all things yoga.    We’re fooling ourselves if we don’t think that once in awhile (and not even a great while at that) We the yoga community are being sold, yes even your sangha is selling something.    

I was not looking for a mat that would improve my practice or make me a better person.   I was looking for a mat that suited me.    My previous mat was a bit thin, purposefully so, and unfortunately I put it in the wash.   This made bad things happen, it got stuck between the tub and the top and a smile was imprinted in the material, it also became wavy.   Being green it was from then on referred to as a piece of lettuce on occasion.    At the onset, I loved this mat,  it was a gift from someone I loved and therefore was hard to let go once it reached its demise.    It served me well for a bit,   about 9 months all told.   Had I not put it through the wash it would have lasted quite a bit longer.    Although, I may still be in the market for a new mat as it tended to soak and not absorb sweat.    This made it a bit slippery in some of my favorite vinyasa  flow classes.  

In reviewing the experience with that mat I was able to see what I was looking for in a new mat.    It was a regular width, but with my frame being on the large side my pinkies and even ring fingers were sometimes off the mat.     It was thin,   which has it’s place but it was not serving me as well as I had hoped.   It had great stickiness,  the pattern was great and the feel was excellent.  The pattern was good in that it had a striped effect so I could see where my heels were in relation to my hands with ease, great for side planks and standing poses.   

So what was I looking for in a Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
?  

 A good thickness - as my yoga experience grows I’m finding my feet are increasingly sensitive,  it’s like the princess and the pea, I was feeling the floor below a bit too much at times and in certain places.   

 A width that fit my body - I’m broad-shouldered,   that’s just the way I’m built.   Placing my hands shoulder width apart would be nice on a Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
which my hands fit completely on.  

Good grip -  I want to feel grounded, not holding the mat for dear life but firmly rooted.  

Other notes -   I basically carry my mat from my car to the studio and into my house, so weight was not a factor.    Eco would be good but not ultimately important, I have my principles but in regards to a Yoga Mat
- I don’t plan on throwing it away anytime soon,  I would ultimately like for it to last the life of my practice which I hope is quite some time.    Perhaps in the mean time leaps and bounds will be made in regards to recycling.     

I won’t leave you in suspense for too long, however, I felt it important to highlight some guidelines and things to consider if you are on the search for a new mat.