A yoga mat is an important accessory if you'll be practicing yoga or meditating on a wooden floor or any hard or slippery surface. Yoga mats are typically thin and have a textured surface or a sticky non-slip side to prevent sliding and can make stretching more comfortable.

When shopping for a yoga mat, a few factors to consider are material and thickness. Most mats are made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, making them easy to clean. Other popular materials are high-density foam, natural or recycled rubber, environmentally-friendly cork and jute. Thinner mats are ideal for balance, while thicker mats provide more cushioning, which may be more comfortable for seated or kneeling poses. Standard yoga mats are about 3 mm (1/8 inch) thick, which works for most practitioners or beginner yogis. If you practice Hatha yoga and feel that you need more cushioning while holding poses, you may want to try a 6 mm (1/4 inch) or 12 mm (1/2 inch) thick mat. If you're looking to travel with your yoga mat, you may want one that's thinner. Travel yoga mats are often around 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) thick. If you'll be carrying your mat with you to a yoga class, consider getting a carrying strap or yoga bag. Some yoga bags are designed to be simple and compact, while others have pockets and other compartments for keys, cell phones, water bottles, yoga towels and other items.

Another factor to consider is length. Your yoga mat should be at least 15cm (6 inches) longer than your height. If you're more than 180 cm (6 feet) tall, look for an extra-long yoga mat. In addition to a wide variety of lengths and thicknesses, you can also find mats in an assortment of patterns, colors and designs. Some are also reversible, so you can mix it up depending on your mood.

At fitshop.gr, you'll find a great selection of yoga mats and bags as well as other yoga and Pilates equipment, all at Every Day Low Prices.