You use a yoga mat towel by placing it right on top of your Yoga Mat. First, lay your mat flat, then spread the yoga towel over it and smooth out any creases. Make sure the corners line up. If you want extra grip, mist your hands or feet with a bit of water. This helps prevent slipping and keeps things hygienic, especially during sweaty yoga classes. Many people even use a yoga towel alone on the floor.
A yoga towel is a great addition to your practice, providing multiple benefits. When placed on a flat mat, it helps you maintain better grip during poses while soaking up sweat, ensuring a more comfortable experience. It’s also perfect for keeping shared mats cleaner, preventing the spread of germs. For the best performance, opt for a microfiber or bamboo towel, as these materials absorb more moisture and offer a soft feel. Be sure to wash your yoga towel regularly to keep it fresh and effective. Additionally, you can use the towel for extra padding during poses or to stay warm during meditation, making it a versatile tool for your yoga routine.
Why Use a Yoga Mat Towel
Grip and Sweat Absorption
You want to feel safe and steady in every pose. A yoga towel helps you stay put. When you sweat, your hands and feet might slide on a mat. The towel soaks up sweat and helps you grip better. This is really helpful in hot yoga or fast classes. Fitness experts say microfiber towels are best. They soak up sweat and stop you from slipping. You can pay attention to your poses instead of worrying about falling.Yoga towels are designed to help you grip better by absorbing sweat, allowing you to stay steady throughout your practice. Microfiber towels are particularly effective, as they hold sweat well and provide a soft, comfortable surface. Non-slip yoga towels ensure you can focus fully on your poses without worrying about slipping, enhancing your overall experience.
Hygiene Benefits
You want your yoga time to be clean and safe. A yoga towel makes a barrier between you and the mat. This is important if you use a mat that others use too. Yoga mats can have lots of germs—sometimes more than a toilet seat! A yoga towel soaks up sweat and keeps germs away from your skin.
Yoga towels provide a clean layer between you and the mat, soaking up sweat and helping to keep things hygienic. When used on shared mats, they help prevent the spread of germs, which is especially important since yoga mats can harbor more than half of the infection-causing germs found in common spaces. In fact, a mat can have more germs than a toilet seat. By using a yoga towel, you not only absorb sweat but also reduce the number of germs on the mat, ensuring a cleaner, safer practice.
Comfort and Versatility
A yoga towel makes your practice feel nicer. It feels soft under your hands and feet. Many towels are light, so you can carry them anywhere. You can use a yoga towel outside, in vinyasa, or in Bikram yoga. It works on bumpy ground and keeps you dry during fast moves.
Feature | Contribution to Comfort |
Slip-resistant Foundation | Gives you a safe place for hands and feet |
Lightweight | Easy to bring to class or when you travel |
Absorption of Sweat | Keeps you dry during hard yoga sessions |
How to Use a Yoga Towel
Setting Up on Your Mat
You want your yoga towel to stay in place and give you the best grip. Here’s how to use a yoga towel for a smooth start:
Lay your yoga mat flat on the floor.
Spread your yoga towel over the mat. Make sure it covers the whole mat and lies flat.
Smooth out any creases or folds with your hands.
Wrap the top edge of the towel around the top of your mat. This helps keep it from moving when you practice.
Before you begin, lightly mist your hands and feet with water. You can also sprinkle a little water on the towel where your hands and feet will go. This trick makes the towel stickier and helps you grip better, especially at the start of class.
Preventing Slipping
You want to feel safe and steady in every pose. Here’s how to use a yoga towel to stop slipping:
Choose a yoga towel made from microfiber or Japanese cotton. These materials soak up sweat and give you a strong grip.
Some towels have silicone nubs on the bottom. These nubs help the towel stick to your mat and stop it from bunching up.
If you sweat a lot or do hot yoga, mist the towel with water before class. This makes the towel even grippier.
For extra grip, use yoga socks with rubber soles. They help your feet stay in place, especially in fast or dynamic classes.
Place the towel under your hands or feet if you only need extra grip in certain poses. This works well for downward dog or plank.
A yoga towel absorbs sweat and gives you a textured surface. This helps you hold your balance and keeps you from sliding, even when things get sweaty.
Using Without a Mat
Sometimes you don’t have a mat, or you want to travel light. You can use your yoga towel right on the floor. Here’s what you need to know:
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Versatile for many activities | Can be pricey |
Slip-resistant for better grip | Needs regular washing |
Lightweight and easy to carry | May bunch up during use |
Hygienic layer on shared floors | Not perfect for all yoga styles |
Lay your yoga towel flat on a clean surface. Smooth out any wrinkles. If you want more grip, mist the towel with water. This helps it stick to the floor and gives you a safe space for yoga. Remember, a towel is lighter than a mat, so it might move if you jump or do fast poses. Check your towel often to make sure it stays flat.
If you want to know how to use a yoga towel in different ways, try it under your hands or feet, or use it as a mat cover. You’ll find what works best for your yoga practice.
Yoga Towel Uses
As a Mat Cover
You can use a yoga towel as a mat cover every time you practice. Just lay it over your mat before you start. This simple step gives you a lot of benefits:
The textured surface of a yoga towel provides better grip, helping you stay steady in your poses. It absorbs sweat, keeping your mat dry and fresh throughout your practice. Additionally, the towel protects your mat from wear and tear, acting as a shield that extends the life of your mat, ensuring it stays in great condition longer.
If you practice in a studio or share mats, a yoga towel keeps things clean. You create a barrier between you and the mat, which helps stop germs from spreading. You can wash your towel after each class, so you always have a clean surface for your yoga.
For Extra Cushioning
Sometimes you want a little more comfort during yoga. A yoga towel adds a soft layer under your hands, knees, or feet. You can fold the towel and place it where you need extra support. This works well for poses that put pressure on your joints.
Here are some creative ways people use yoga towels for more comfort:
Fold the towel and use it as a pillow for seated poses.
Place it under your knees during lunges or stretches.
Use it as a blanket for sitting or lying down.
You can even use a yoga towel outside of yoga. Many people bring their towel to the park as a picnic blanket. It keeps you dry and is easy to clean. Some campers use yoga towels as sleeping pads for a little extra softness at night.
During Meditation or Savasana
A yoga towel makes meditation and savasana feel special. The towel gives you thermal protection, so you do not feel cold on the floor. The soft surface helps you relax and enjoy your rest.
Try these ideas:
Spread the towel over your body during savasana for warmth.
Fold it and use it as a cushion for your head or neck.
Sit on the towel during meditation for a cozy seat.
You can use your yoga towel for other things, too. Some people use it as a play dough surface for kids or even to keep pet dishes in place at home. The towel is versatile and easy to care for.
Choosing and Caring for Your Yoga Mat Towel
Picking the Right Towel
You need a yoga mat towel that fits your yoga style. The right towel helps you feel comfortable and do better in class. Here are some things to think about:
Material: Microfiber blends soak up sweat fast and dry quickly. Cotton is soft and lets air through, but it stays wet longer. Bamboo and recycled fibers are good for the planet and pull moisture away from your skin.
Absorbency: Towels that soak up a lot of sweat keep you dry in hot yoga.
Size: Make sure your towel matches your mat. A good fit covers your mat and keeps it steady.
Grip: Non-slip features like silicone backing or textured surfaces help you stay steady in every pose.
Durability: Strong stitching and tough materials make towels last longer, even if you use them every day.
Maintenance: Towels you can wash in a machine save you time and keep things clean.
Eco-Friendly Options: If you care about the earth, pick towels made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
Pricing: Try to find a towel that is good quality and not too expensive. A good towel is worth the money for your yoga practice.
The material you pick changes how your towel works. Microfiber blends are best for hot yoga because they soak up sweat and dry fast. Cotton feels nice but stays wet longer. Bamboo and other eco-friendly towels pull moisture away and help the planet.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You want your yoga towel to stay clean and fresh. Always wash your towel before you use it for the first time. This gets rid of extra fibers and helps it soak up sweat better. After each yoga class, put your towel in the washing machine. Use cold water and a gentle soap. Do not use fabric softeners because they make towels less absorbent.
Hang your towel to dry or use low heat in the dryer. Cleaning your towel often stops bad smells and germs from building up. If you do yoga a lot, wash your towel after every class.
Storage Tips
Storing your yoga mat towel the right way keeps it fresh and helps it last longer. Here’s how you can do it:
To keep your yoga towel in good condition, roll it loosely to avoid creases or wrinkles. Use a yoga mat strap or a breathable bag to protect it from dust and moisture. Store the towel in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and damp areas. Always clean your towel before storing it to prevent germs from growing, ensuring it's fresh and ready for your next practice.
Very hot places can make towels dry out and break. Cold places can trap water and freeze your towel. Natural materials like cork and rubber do better inside, but they still need good storage.
You get a lot from using a yoga mat towel. It absorbs sweat fast, keeps your yoga mat clean, and helps you stay steady in every yoga pose. You can wash it in the machine and carry it anywhere. Try laying your towel flat, misting it with water for grip, and folding it if you need to touch the mat. Wash your towel often to keep your yoga practice fresh.
Ecoofit is a young and creative team with over six years of experience in yoga and fitness products. Ecoofit started because of a love for travel, yoga, and wanting change. Jessie, our founder, has done yoga for five years and thinks yoga is more than just using a mat—it’s a way of life. Our goal is to share quality, eco-friendly products made with care for the planet with sports fans everywhere. At Ecoofit, you’ll find yoga mats, bricks, towels, resistance bands, sports bottles, and more. We ship to your door and offer easy shopping. We care about making things in a way that helps the earth and use packaging that does not hurt nature. You can share your stories with us. We listen to every opinion!
Ecoofit has years of yoga experience. Our team cares about eco-friendly yoga gear. We offer mats, towels, and more. We invite you to share your yoga feedback with us!
FAQ
How do I keep my yoga towel from bunching up?
You can smooth your towel flat before class. Some towels have silicone dots on the bottom. These help the towel grip your mat. Try misting the towel with water for extra stickiness.
Can I use a yoga towel instead of a mat?
Yes, you can! Lay your towel on a clean floor. It works well for travel or outdoor practice. Just check that the surface is not too slippery.
How often should I wash my yoga towel?
Wash your towel after every sweaty session. Use cold water and gentle soap. Skip fabric softeners. This keeps your towel fresh and helps it last longer.
What size towel should I choose?
Pick a towel that matches your mat’s length and width. A good fit covers your mat and stays in place. Most brands offer standard and extra-long sizes.
Do I need a yoga towel for every class?
You do not need one every time. If you sweat a lot or practice hot yoga, a towel helps with grip and hygiene. For gentle classes, you might not need it.
