Yoga: an ode to extra-thin mats
7.5.2025
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Pictures: Anika Schulz
I love my new yoga mat. It’s a travel model, but I’m not going anywhere.
Grounding. That’s what yoga’s all about. Being one with yourself and the ground beneath your feet. At last I have a mat that conveys this feeling. I’ve been doing my yoga exercises on an extra-thin travel model for two weeks now, and I’m never going back to a thicker mat. I’ll tell you why.
Down to earth
My old yoga mat was a beginner-friendly four millimetres thick. It padded my knees in the all-fours position and supported my wrists in downward-facing dog. And yet, I never really reached a flow state. Why? Because whenever my yoga teacher would say «Push your feet firmly into the ground,» I’d just think to myself, «How’s that supposed to work with four millimetres of rubber under my soles?»
With the new travel model, things are different. It’s only two millimetres thick and I finally feel connected to the ground. This might sound a little New Agey, but now my yoga sessions feel right to me – grounded and body-centred. Reduced to the essentials.
By the way, my travel mat is from B Mat. It’s made of rubber, which makes it durable and non-slip. Extra-slim models are also available from other brands and designed to be compact, travel-friendly alternative. That’s all good and well, but my trip isn’t taking me to Bali but to inner balance.
Less shlepping at last
Speaking of balance. This mat doesn’t make me teeter on the way to yoga class. It’s as light as a feather, after all. Unlike my old 2.6-kilo mat I’d have to lug from the gym and back. Not to mention the awkward yoghurt and yoga mat juggling that entailed whenever I popped to the supermarket after class.
The new mat, on the other hand, weighs a mere 1.2 kilos and can be folded without leaving ugly creases. You just pop it in your sports bag, throw it over your shoulder and off you go. As for the post-yoga yoghurt: there’s no longer the risk of dropping it, as I have both hands free.
It’s also affordable
Less material = lower costs. Being the penny pincher I am, I really enjoy this simple calculation. While «standard» thick rubber mats often cost more than 100 euros, I only paid 65 euros for the Traveller from B Mat. That’s 35 euros saved, which equals four kebabs – with cheese! Or I can save the money and put it towards my next yoga class.
And before anyone breaks their flow because of my ode to thin mats: there’s no such thing as a universally perfect yoga mat. If you prefer to doing your downward-facing dog on a thick base, that’s perfectly fine. If you prefer to work out right on the floor, go ahead. Yoga is such an individual sport. The main thing is that you’re relaxed and stay that way.
By the way, if you want to know which mat you should avoid at all cost, check out my review on the Glue mat from Omnana.
Which yoga mat do you use? I look forward to reading your comments.
Header image: Anika Schulz
Anika Schulz
Teamleader Editorial
Anika.Schulz@galaxus.deAs a child, I was socialised with Mario Kart on SNES before ending up in journalism after graduating from high school. As a team leader at Galaxus, I'm responsible for news. I'm also a trekkie and an engineer.
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