Affordable yoga mats to help start a new hobby

Every Monday and Wednesday I wake up earlier than most and head to my Pilates class offered by the dance department. I have never taken a formal Pilates class up until this quarter, and I absolutely love it. One of the really awesome things about my instructor is that she is also a yoga instructor and incorporates yoga poses into our class. For any OSU students wanting to take this 2 credit hour class, it’s Dance 671!
 
For Christmas, I got my first yoga mat and I have loved walking across campus with a little extra boost of confidence. I feel adorable being a “yogi”. If you want to feel adorable too, here are my top 10 picks of flashy, practical and completely cute yoga mats for Collegiettes! I listed them highest to lowest price as well. Soon you’ll be breathing deep and sipping green tea (I hope)!
 
 
For the Long and Lanky Girl:
$79.95 from JadeYoga
http://www.jadeyoga.com/store/harmony-xw-yoga-mat-extra-long.html
You’re tall. It’s a fact you’ve known all of your life. Embrace it. Many people are jealous of you. Some poses are going to be easier for you to because of those long lovely limbs, so utilize that to your advantage!
 
For the Eco-Friendly Girl:
$53 from REI. Free shipping up until Feb. 20!
http://www.rei.com/product/826254/hugger-mugger-earth-elements-yoga-mat
The great thing about this mat is that it’s biodegradable!
 
For the Artist:
$39.95 from Hugger Mugger.
http://www.huggermugger.com/ultra-nature-collection-yoga-mat.html
With three fantastic paint stroke color options in names like “ocean” and “flame,” let your inner Van Gogh go wild!
 
For the Globe Trotter:
$39 from Manduka
Teensy-tiny this yoga mat will easily fit into that suitcase when traveling. Try and see how many countries this mat can touch! The other great thing about this mat is its color won’t fade. (4 pigment options to choose from) I wouldn’t recommend using this mat for regular exercise because it isn’t as thick as your average mat.
 
For the Detail Lover:
$36 from Athleta (a division of Gap)
Check around for other yoga/workout accessories you like from Athleta. They have free shipping on order $50 and up!
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46699&vid=1&pid=773901
This gorgeous mat is embossed with details that any Yogi would appreciate.
 
For the Extra Cushion Lover:
$28 from Lululemon. Free Shipping, no minimum order! (All the time)
http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/women-yoga-mats-and-props/Align-Ultra-Mat-32429?cc=4355&skuId=3449284&catId=women-yoga-mats-and-props
I couldn’t stop myself from adding a mat option from Lululemon Athletica! I love that store/website so much! With seven different mat colors to choose from, three options are two-in-one with a different tone on the underbelly. This mat is cushioned so your hands won’t go numb at any point in your workout.
 
For the Non Frills Lover:
$19.99 from Target (YogaDirect brand)
http://www.target.com/p/YogaDirect-Deluxe-Extra-Thick-Yoga-Sticky-Mat-Green/-/A-12852079
This mat is perfect for those who are looking for something simple, basic and to the point. Green (the color of this mat) means life, one of the points of yoga-embracing life!
 
For the Stabilization Lover:
On sale for $18.40 (Normally $23) from BareFootYoga Co.
http://www.barefootyoga.com/Detail.bok?category=Yoga+Mats&no=2
These yoga mats roll up nicely, and stay that way until class! Also, if there is a need for the mat to be partially rolled up during class, these mats nicely accommodate that!
 
For the Natural Appeal Lover:
Currently on sale for $17.58 from Gaiam.
Check out some of the other Gaiam yoga mats. They are currently having a 20% off sale.
http://www.gaiam.com/product/chai+textured+yoga+mat.do
This mat is textured with a crosshatch pattern. With great cushion, this mat would be great for hot yoga just because the extra traction. Actually, one of the guys in my class uses this mat.
 
For the Beginner:
$16.99 from Dick’s Sporting Goods
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11756553&010=SKU-10531243&cid=CSE:&cid=CSE:GooglePLAs&003=4239056
If you don’t know if you even will like yoga, or just want a mat to use for those home videos, this mat is ultra basic. If you’re going to a yoga class for the first time, you will still look cute, but feel like a savvy shopper. I might recommend something a little more cushioned and less slippery if you want to pursue more yoga classes. For your first year or so, it’s a great way to try something out new without having to burn a hole in that wallet.
 
 
 
Picture Credit: http://www.healthyoga.com/images/676142.jpg