Do You Need a Yoga Towel

Do you ever slip and slide on your yoga mat when you’re practicing? Maybe you’ve wished there was more cushioning to support your joints and make those challenging poses a bit more comfortable. It’s time to introduce you to the wonder of the yoga towel, my friend! With sticky grips on the underside, these towels will revolutionise your yoga practice.

What Is a Yoga Towel?

A yoga towel is a unique accessory that improves your yoga practice by providing increased grip and added cushioning. Yoga towels have sticky grips on the underside so they stay put on your mat all day long. They’re usually made from microfiber that’s quick-drying, absorbent, and durable. They come in different sizes, so you can find one that fits your mat perfectly.

Yoga Towel Grip 

The sticky grips on the underside of the towel provide a secure foundation, preventing slips and ensuring stability during your practice, which is why yogis love it so much! You won’t lose your balance or struggle with alignment in tough poses anymore!

Additionally, yoga towels add an extra layer of support to your mat. If you are practicing on a hard surface or have sensitive joints, this can be especially helpful. With the added cushioning, you can focus on poses rather than discomforts, and reduce strain on your knees, elbows, and other pressure points.

How to Use a Yoga Towel

• Prepare your mat: Lay your yoga mat on a flat surface, ensuring it’s clean and dry.
• Unroll your yoga towel: Place the towel on top of your mat, aligning the edges.
• Secure the towel: Smooth out any wrinkles or folds on the towel to ensure a flat surface. The sticky grips on the underside will help keep the towel in place throughout your practice.
• Start your practice: Begin your yoga session as you normally would, with the added confidence of a slip-free surface and enhanced cushioning.
• Maintain and clean your towel: After your practice, remove the towel from your mat and hang it up to dry. Most yoga towels are machine washable, so you can easily clean them when needed.

Who Should Use a Yoga Towel

Yoga towels aren’t just for advanced yogis. They’re for everyone looking to elevate their yoga practice and make it more enjoyable.

Grip Yoga sweaters

A yoga towel is your new best friend if you sweat a lot. Because of its absorbent nature, it lets you stay dry and avoid slipping during your practice. You’ll never have to deal with awkward moments when your hands or feet fall out of place again!

Studio Yoga Matt

If you frequent yoga studios, you’re probably familiar with using the mats they provide. While these mats are usually cleaned regularly, a yoga towel adds an extra layer of hygiene. By keeping you safe and clean, your towel acts as a barrier between you and the mat. It prevents any lingering germs or sweat from previous users. You can focus on your practice knowing your towel keeps you clean and safe.

Hot Yoga

A hot yoga class usually takes place in a heated room, so you sweat profusely. When you’re hot, your chances of slipping on your mat also increase, so you’re going to need a yoga towel with sticky grips and absorbent properties. Sweat quickly absorbs on it, so it doesn’t pool and make it slippery. Under the sticky grips, the towel stays secure in place so you can hold your poses, even in sweatiest conditions. With a yoga towel, you can fully embrace the heat, flow with confidence, and focus on your practice without worrying about slipping or sliding. Basically, it’s like your own sweat-absorbing, non-slip layer.

Workout activities

It doesn’t matter where you’re going, if you’re doing HIIT, if you’re going to a group fitness class, or whether you’re hitting the gym. One of the key advantages of a yoga towel is its quick-drying and easy-to-wash nature. This makes it great for activities that involve sweating or if you need a towel for wiping off sweat during or after your workout. A yoga towel absorbs moisture quickly and dries quickly, so you don’t have to carry around a damp towel that smells.

Travel

Whether you’re heading to a retreat, the beach, or exploring new destinations, a yoga towel is the perfect travel companion. It’s lightweight, easy to pack, and doesn’t take up much space in your luggage. Plus, it dries quickly, so you can easily wash and reuse it during your adventures. No need to worry about borrowing or renting a mat wherever you go!

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Tip: The Yoga Towel and the Yoga Matt should be of the same brand, so that they match perfectly

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Does Yoga Towel Replace a Yoga Mat

While yoga towels are fantastic additions to your practice, they don’t completely replace the need for a yoga mat.

Insufficient insulation

Yoga mats are specifically designed to provide insulation and cushioning, protecting your body from the hardness of the floor. A yoga towel, although comfortable and cushioned, doesn’t offer the same level of insulation. You might find it uncomfortable or even painful to perform certain poses solely on a towel.

Material suitability

Yoga mats are made from materials that offer the ideal balance of grip, stability, and support for yoga practice. The texture and density of a mat allow you to maintain proper alignment and engage your muscles effectively. While a yoga towel provides extra grip, it doesn’t offer the same level of stability and support as a proper yoga mat.

So, while a yoga towel is an excellent complement to your yoga practice, it’s not a substitute for a yoga mat. Think of them as a dynamic duo, working together to enhance your experience on the mat.

Fashionable Yoga Towel

Beyond its functional benefits, the yoga towel also adds a touch of style to your practice. With a wide variety of options available, you can find yoga towels in various colors, patterns, and designs. It’s like having a mini-fashion show for your yoga mat!

Compared to purchasing multiple yoga mats to change up your style, yoga towels offer a cost-effective way to freshen up your practice. You can easily switch between different towel styles to match your mood, outfit, or simply to add a splash of color to your practice space. It’s a fun and easy way to express your personal style and make your yoga session a little more vibrant.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to wash: Yoga towels are easy to wash. Just throw them in the washing machine after every use to keep them clean and fresh.
• Quick drying: You don’t have to wait long before packing up or using it again, making yoga towels convenient for frequent use or when you’re on the go.
• Lightweight: When you travel to a yoga class, hit the gym, or head outdoors, you won’t feel burdened by the additional weight of a towel. It’s a practical choice for people who value portability.
• Hands sweat during yoga: The sticky grips on the underside of a yoga towel provide an excellent solution to sweaty palms, as they can affect your grip and stability. Even when your hands are sweating, they’ll keep you steady in poses and maintain a firm grip on your mat.
• Cost-effective: Purchasing a yoga towel is more cost-effective than buying a new yoga mat. If you already have a mat or prefer to use studio mats, a yoga towel is an affordable way to improve grip, comfort, and hygiene.

Cons

• Less grip than a yoga mat: Yoga towels provide extra grip when practicing on a mat, but they may not provide the same level of grip as a high-quality mat. Yoga towels can be less gripping if you practice more advanced poses that require maximum stability or if you rely heavily on traction provided by mats.
• Less thickness: While yoga towels offer some cushioning and comfort, they do not provide the same level of thickness as a yoga mat. If you require extra support or prefer a thicker surface for your practice, you may find a yoga towel falls short in terms of cushioning.
• Not a yoga mat replacement: The functionality and benefits of a yoga mat cannot be substituted by a yoga towel. In addition to providing grip, cushioning, and hygiene, it lacks the insulation, stability, and support of a proper yoga mat, which is why it can enhance your practice.

Best Yoga Towels of 2023

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Manduka – EQUA YOGA MAT TOWEL

The Manduka EQUA Yoga Mat Towel is a high-quality towel that is made of a microfiber blend. In addition to being quick-drying and absorbent, the towel has a non-slip backing that keeps it in place during your class. I’ve been using the Manduka EQUA Yoga Mat Towel for a few months now, and I really like it. It’s super absorbent, so I don’t have to worry about slipping. The non-slip backing also works well, and the towel stays in place even when I’m sweaty. Also, I like the towel because it’s machine-washable and dries quickly. This is important to me since I like to wash my yoga towel after every use. It dries quickly, so I don’t have to wait long to use it again.

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alo Yoga – GROUNDED NO-SLIP TOWEL

The alo Yoga Grounded No-Slip Towel is a stylish and functional yoga towel made of a microfiber blend. It’s quick-drying and absorbent, and the non-slip backing keeps it in place. It’s also machine washable and dries fast. I’ve been using the alo Yoga Grounded No-Slip Towel for a few weeks, and I like it a lot. It’s not slippery, so I don’t have to worry. When I’m sweaty, the towel stays in place and stays in place. The towel dries fast, so I don’t have to wait long to use it again. It’s machine-washable and dries quickly, which is important to me because I like to wash my yoga towel after every use.

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lululemon – Yoga Mat Towel with Grip

For fewer mid-pose distractions, the towel has corner pockets and an elastic strap that anchors it to your mat. I couldn’t find any reviews on this towel, but you can lightly mist the top side of it before practice for added grip. Lululemon’s Reversible Mat 5mm got high marks on all nine attributes their professional testers rated, including grip, cushioning, and durability, on the New York Times website.