YDL Cork Yoga Mat - Best For Eco-Conscious Yogis

I've been wanting to try alternate materials besides the standard PVC cushion style that is a little rubbery. Saw this and was so drawn to the design and couldn't resist bringing it home.So glad I did. Compared to my 5 mm one, this is a thin 3.5 mm one of the reasons why I love it. Combined with the lower profile and the cork material, it feels more natural and is very soothing and grounding. Genuine natural cork too. I love how warming using this mat feels. I don't think I'll ever go back to a PVC mat again, at any price.The mandala design is great for focus, and is nice for both meditation and physical balance when exercising. The ink is well set and there is no dye transfer or bleeding. The underside minimizes slipping on the floor. There is a little rubber smell on unpacking, but that airs out without a problem. I didn't find it offensive.The strap is perfect. It's minimalist, a simple cotton woven band that cleverly loops to hold my mat for storage or carrying.I really love this beautiful mat and really resonate with the way it feels when I use it. Love that purchases support at-risk African youth too.

Amazing design and it grips tight when moist

I slip on most of the mats I have used in yoga; they don't have much traction. I prefer not to use a towel over my mat. Yoga Design Lab has a combo, but I loved the sleek look of this cork mat. It has a stunning design that is beautiful . Improving my balance is important to me,. I do mostly a slow flow and it really holds my poses without slipping! I also did not find it as heavy to carry as many other mats.

I initially bought the cork mat because I liked its look, that it was eco-friendly and that it would be good for warm or hot yoga workouts.Besides using it for yoga, I starting using it for my body-weight work outs and stretching, I love it. It's sturdy, I don't slip, and I don't need a towel to put over the mat when I start sweating. This is great mat for Yoga and for all my other workouts.

Beautiful mat. But I found it a little thin and stiff. But with a blanket and maybe more use of will grow a little more buoyant.