502poweryoga

Inflation Can’t Steal your Zen

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:45:07 GMT

Making Practice more Affordable at 502 Power Yoga

I came across a song before teaching the other night called “ Meditation for Chaotic Times (by East Forest), and it felt like a metaphor for what 502 Power Yoga is for folks these days. Between financial strain, uncertainty, and the daily stress of navigating it all, it’s easy to lose touch with the grounding practices that help us stay steady. At 502 Power Yoga, we believe that a regular yoga practice is essential to help us find peace in the chaos , and that cost should never be the reason someone can’t roll out their mat.

That’s why instead of raising prices like so many businesses are being forced to do right now, we’re taking a few steps to make yoga more affordable for our community right now:

�� Throwback Drop-In Rate: $16 Classes

For select classes, we’re rolling back the clock to our 2014 drop-in rate — just $16 per class!
Watch our online schedule and the Walla App to see which classes are discounted. Classes will be discounted based on available space in the class, and discounts are subject to change over time.

�� Support for Those Impacted by Furloughs

If you’re experiencing financial strain due to a government furlough , please get in touch with us directly . We’re offering membership assistance to help keep you practicing during this challenging time.

�� “Gratitude Status” Discount

We love to honor those who give so much to others. If you’re a student, teacher, full-time non-profit employee, senior, or military member (past or present) , you qualify for our Gratitude Status . With approved status, you’ll receive your own personal promo code for 20% off :

Drop-in classes (yes, that includes the $16 ones — bringing your total to just $12.80 !)
Memberships
Class packs

Because gratitude goes both ways — and this is our way of saying thank you.

At 502 Power Yoga, we’re here to help you keep showing up — for yourself, your practice, and your community. Whether you’re rolling out your mat for the first time or deepening a lifelong practice, there’s a place for you here.

Namaste,

Cat

All About Waitlists

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:35:08 GMT

Waitlist Closing Window is now 1 HOUR

We have an incredible problem: Several of our classes sell out resulting in students landing on a waitlist. We tweaked the policy recently to be a bit more forgiving for y’all and thought it would be a good time to refresh you on how exactly the Wait List works and answer any questions you might have.

The “Waitlist Closing Window” is now one hour.

When you are in position #1 on the waitlist for a class, you will be automatically added to that class if a spot opens UP TO ONE HOUR before class . Example: Class is at 9:30 AM. You are #1 on the waitlist. Someone cancels their reservation at 8:15 AM. You would automatically be added to the class. But, if the cancelation occurs at 8:35 AM, even if you are #1 on the Waitlist, you will NOT be automatically added to the class.

What happens in that one-hour window before class?

Since no one will automatically be added to class If a spot opens up in this 1-hour window, the spot will remain open until someone— anyone —snags it in the Walla App or online .

This is meant to benefit those on the waitlist: You will have at least a one-hour heads-up to boogie to the studio.

However, it also means that you will NOT automatically get added to the class even if you are #1 on the waitlist and someone cancels their spot 45 minutes before class. Someone else could swoop in and claim that spot. if you don’t make it off the waitlist and you’re still interested in class, check back within an hour before class—a spot may have opened up. If you never made a reservation for a popular class, that one-hour window might be when you can slide into the roster!

So why not make the “Waitlist Closing Window” 15 minutes before class?

Because we want to ensure students on the Waitlist have enough of a heads-up to get to class without risking a no-show fee. Finding out you are off the waitlist and in class 15 minutes before class begins doesn’t even allow time for the commute for most of us!

How will I know I am in class and off the Waitlist?

If you move off the Waitlist and onto the class roster, you will receive a message from us (based on your preferred communication settings; email or SMS), alerting you that you’re in! If you have no communications turned on, you will need to manually check the Walla App or your account online to see the status of your reservation. While you’re there, turn on SMS notifications under “Your Profile!”

Will I get a penalty if I get added to a class but don’t show up?

Yes . If you are on the waitlist, even if you are #15, you should treat that time as reserved and plan to be in attendance. Since our Late Cancel Policy is generous (only 2 hours), the class roster can move quickly in the 12 hours leading up to class. If you know you will not be attending class, please cancel your waitlist reservation . If you are added to the class but do not attend, a no-show fee of $10 will be added to your account.

We strive to make things as user-friendly, fair, and intuitive as possible. This, as with any of our other Studio Policies , are subject to change based on student feedback and staffing needs. As always, post any comments or questions below, or email the studio directly. Thank you for being a member of our community!

New Schedule Effective May 1, 2024

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:32:19 GMT

After announcing that our East End Studio is closing at the end of April , we received lots of feedback and requests on our proposed schedule updates for the Highlands Studio. We are pleased to reveal the new schedule effective May 1, 2024!

East End Closing April 30, 2024

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:26:33 GMT

Pre-pandemic, I was in growth & expansion mode. My vision for 502 Power Yoga was to open multiple studios around the city, expanding our franchise and spreading the power of yoga. However, the Coronavirus Pandemic caused a deep examination of my life and the business. I heard this parable somewhere along the way and it dawned on me: Expansion was not truly what I wanted for myself or my family. I want to live the life of the Fisherman. Not the businessman. It was time to return to my roots: Teaching yoga in a small, community-oriented environment with a tight-knit (and kickass) team.

Just 4 months after a successful opening, the Covid pandemic began. Mandatory lockdown forced us to close our doors, and then we chose not to reopen even when we were allowed because of the general fear people had around breathing on each other in such a small space at that time. We did not reopen until September 2020, and we only had a 6-person capacity.

The Parable of the Fisherman & the Businessman

Written by 502 Power Yoga owner, Cat Crawford, March 11, 2024

The time has come to cease operations at our East End / Rudy Lane yoga studio. I’ll let this Parable of the Fisherman and the Business help explain my why:

A successful businessman on vacation was at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman proudly replied, “Every morning, I go out in my boat for 30 minutes to fish. I’m the best fisherman in the village”.

The businessman, perplexed, then asks the fisherman “If you’re the best, why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish? What do you do the rest of the day?”

The fisherman replied “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, spend quality time with my wife, and every evening we stroll into the village to drink wine and play guitar with our friends. I have a full and happy life.”

The businessman scoffed, “I am a successful CEO and have a talent for spotting business opportunities. I can help you be more successful. You should spend more time fishing and buy a bigger boat with the proceeds. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, and eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats with many fishermen. Instead of selling your catch to just your friends, you can scale to sell fish to thousands. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to the big city, where you can oversee your growing empire.”

The fisherman, intrigued, asked, “How long will this all take?”

To which the businessman replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“And what then?” asked the fisherman.

The businessman laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”

The businessman said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, spend time with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends.”

Shift of Vision

It’s been a good run

To all of the students and team members who have shown up at the East End studio over the last 4.5 years, THANK YOU. It’s certainly had its ups and downs:

It was gangbusters right out of the gates in the Fall of 2019, packing the house with as many as 31 people at some point (how did we fit them all in?!).

A little over a year after the pandemic, we upped our capacity to a whopping 9.

Highlands Schedule Changes

I don’t think it was until the Fall of 2022 that we finally increased the capacity to what it is now: 20. It was pretty obvious at this point that the space was just too small for this post-pandemic world…for the business model it was created for, anyway. But a lease is a lease, so we did the best with what we had, and kept on trucking.

Uno

It has served us well, but with the lease running out, it’s time to let her go. So we’ll be down to one yoga studio: Our original Highlands location in the Douglass Loop. Our team will be able to better support each other—teaching, mentoring, taking each other’s classes—and we’ll have resources to add more Front Desk shifts to better support YOU. We’ll be able to have some extra cash on hand to invest in the facilities, like a speaker system that works consistently �� and heat panels!!! We’ll have more time and energy to create workshops and other programming to support you in your practice. And we’ll have more capacity for planning and leading RETREATS ��

On a personal note, I’m hoping my life becomes more like that of the Fisherman from the parable: Less stressful with a bit more time to do the things I love: Painting, gardening, cooking, hiking, traveling, and TEACHING YOGA!

We are making some minor tweaks and additions to our Highlands schedule effective May 1, 2024:

NEW : Monday 7:30-8:45 AM Power Vinyasa
NEW : Friday 7:30-8:45 AM Friday Flow
Tweak: Monday 9:30-10:45 AM will now be Hearts & Hips
Tweak: Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 AM will now begin at 5:45 AM
Tweak: Sunday 8:00 AM YOD will move to the Highlands with a new 7:30 AM start time (sadly the 8 AM Power Vinyasa is dropping from the schedule)

*Edited to add: We are brainstorming additional schedule changes, like staggered start times for all Tuesday/Thursday classes. Stay tuned for details.

Teachers may be moving around on the schedule, so watch Walla as we get closer to May for the final details. There will be space for more class additions come Fall, so if you don’t see what you hoped for here, send us your requests to namaste@502poweryoga.com . We won’t be able to implement everything of course but it is helpful to hear what the people want!

FAQ

Is the overall business okay?

Yes—this closure will actually strengthen the core of 502 Power Yoga and increase our chances of being around for a long, long time.

What is the final day of classes?

Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.

Will there be a final “goodbye” class celebration?

We don’t have anything planned yet. Watch our Social Media and Newsletter for updates.

What will happen to my favorite East End teachers?

Unfortunately, not all teachers will have a class on the Highlands schedule right away. But all teachers are invited to stay on the team as substitute instructors so hopefully, they’ll be popping in to teach (and practice!) until we can find permanent class homes for them!

What will happen to my favorite classes?

Our most popular East End classes (Sunday morning YOD and Monday morning Hearts & Hips) will be replacing classes on our Highlands schedule.

What do I do about my membership?

Your membership, regardless of what studio you purchased it at, will work at our Highlands studio. All of our monthly memberships auto-renew monthly on the date of purchase. While we would love to keep you in the community, you can request a membership cancelation through this form .

If you have a “Paid in Full” (6- or 12-month) membership that you won’t be able to use after April 30, please contact us .

What if I have a class pass?

Nothing will change with your class pass. You can continue to use it at our Highlands location until it expires. If the closure of this studio means you will not be able to use your class card, you can transfer your passes to another student or donate them to a student in need.

Can I get a refund?

We are not able to make cash refunds at this time. You have until April 30th to use any classes on your account at the East End studio. Please email us if you have any questions. We can transfer your passes to another student if you are unable to use them for any reason.

How will this affect the Highlands location?

When we are down to one studio, there will be more resources to be invested at the Highlands. You will see two new classes on the schedule (Monday and Friday at 7:30 AM) and facility improvements. We’ll be able to offer more programs and workshops and invest time and energy into retreat planning. The Highlands is NOT closing!

Will you be adding capacity to the Highlands studio?

Not at this time. We like it how it is ��

Will you be adding parking to the Highlands?

The parking lots in the Highlands are tied to commercial properties, so we can’t increase parking unless we rent additional commercial spaces. We are VERY fortunate to have a dozen parking spots for our business—that’s unheard of in the Douglass Loop, except for CVS! The streets around the studio continue to be dependable and accessible for most students. Please see the parking map for tips on parking near the Highlands studio.

What other questions do you have? Please comment below or email us if we missed something (and we’ll keep this list updated for others!)

Thank you for all of your support over the last 10 years!

What’s in a Name? Knowing what to expect in a yoga class.

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 17:20:55 GMT

How do I know what to expect from a yoga class?

In this slower-paced Power Vinyasa class, we think “less is more.” You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself while holding fewer postures for a longer period of time. Great for those looking to dig deep or simply s l o w down. The studio is heated between 90-94 for the class and music accompanies the flow.

Nothing about these classes is changing; we’ve just renamed them to better reflect the experiences they offer. So, sign up—for the first time or the 100th—with confidence that you know exactly what you’re getting.

Renew & Release is now Hearts & Hips

A class’ name can tell you a lot. But…have you ever been to another studio where you unrolled your mat, settled in, and then realized that the fiery flow you thought you’d signed up for is a serene cozy yoga sesh? Or have you ever been looking forward to settling into your bolster only to realize that you’re in for more chair pose than child’s pose? At 502 Power Yoga, we believe in making the practice accessible and enjoyable for everyone—and we know a welcoming and inclusive environment starts with empowering our community by communicating clearly. We’re dedicated to ensuring that every student feels informed, supported, and confident.

That’s why we’ve decided to change the names of two of our classes starting December 29, 2023. Our goal is to eliminate confusion and ensure that everyone knows exactly what to expect when they step on their mat. Gone are the days of puzzling over the intensity of a class. You want a juicy flow with a little heat and a heavy focus on mobility and opening? You want to dig deep or slow it down without sacrificing strength? We’ve got you.

Our new class names reflect the essence of each class, so you have a snapshot of the experience that you can expect.

Hearts & Hips is a variation of our Power Vinyasa class with a heavy focus on mobility, strength and opening in the shoulders and hips. You can expect an extended warm up and cool down, with opportunity for challenge and sweat in between. The studio is heated between 90-94 degrees for this class and music accompanies the flow.

Slow Flow is now Slow & Strong

We’ll see you on our mats.

What is yoga?

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:16:40 GMT

Short answer:

Yoga is a practice that calms the storms of the mind to create mental clarity.

Long answer:

Ask a few random people what they think yoga is, and you’ll get a variety of answers. And, they are probably all right.

However, they may only be seeing one small piece of the whole because the practice of yoga is much richer than most people realize. Myself included. I attended my first yoga class at Santa Monica Power Yoga in 2007 because I thought it would be a great stretching routine to complement my running. I kept attending because I appreciated the calorie burn and how good it made my body feel.

As my yoga class attendance increased and my mileage decreased, I began to understand that there was much, MUCH more to this practice than some poses in a hot room.

Fifteen years later, I am still discovering the complexities and depth of this ancient practice. The fact that it makes my body feel good is the icing on the cake.

So what is yoga? Let’s break down some of the common beliefs:

The practice of yoga includes meditation, but that is just one part (limb) of a yoga practice. What we practice and teach at 502 Power Yoga is the limb called “Asana,” the physical practice of yoga. We include meditation (dhyana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) in some of our classes. There are eight limbs along the path of yoga, and just as one climbs a tree, you ascend the limbs along your journey, and you must reach one limb before you can climb to the next. As one of my teachers once told me, the asana (poses) are the only part of yoga that can truly be taught, especially in a group class setting. The other limbs must be studied, practiced, and attained individually.

Is Yoga a good workout ?

I might get some crap for this, but yes, undoubtedly. However, if you’re looking for quantity over quality calorie burn, you’d be better off doing a cardio exercise like running or cycling. But one can burn up to 600-700 calories in a 60-minute class, depending on your body type, constitution, how hard you push yourself, etc.

But unlike cardio, in a yoga class, you will also get toned , strengthening not just the vanity muscles like your abs and your biceps, but also the less visible (but more important!) muscle groups like your hip rotators, the intrinsic muscles in your feet, and the tiny muscles supporting your shoulder blades. A well-rounded yoga asana practice focuses on healthy, dynamic movement, creating agility and mobility.

The reality is that most people get hooked on yoga because they like the calorie burn and they like how sore they are the next day. Over time, people realize that the benefits go far beyond the physical. So while it is a great workout, it is not just a great workout.

Is Yoga a spiritual ractice?

As I said above, most people come to a yoga class because they want to get in a good sweat, stretch out, and tone their bodies. However, the practice of yoga Asana is deeply rooted in centuries of spiritual wisdom originating in ancient India, and it’s hard not to pick up on some of those things. The ritualistic format of classes could be likened to a religious service: We typically begin classes with an “om,” we bow to each other at the end, and it sure as shit makes you feel connected to a universal vibration.

I have never considered myself a spiritual person. I grew up Catholic here in Louisville but stopped attending mass as a teenager. I was disenchanted with the dogma and rigidness of the services, and frankly, how boring it all was. I found a new appreciation for spirituality when I began attending yoga classes. It allowed me to feel as though there were a higher being out there, it created peace in my body and mind, and it created a connection between me and the people in classes with me.

No one is going to force you to bow to Hindu gods or give up your existing religious beliefs. But I believe that if you are seeking a spiritual practice, you could find that in a yoga practice.

I don’t know why this is a misconception, but it’s the one I hear most often. Yes, there is a lot of stretching in a yoga asana class. Yes, you will become flexible if you practice yoga. But how you are stretching is the misunderstood part. In any yoga class—from gentle to power—you will be dynamically and actively stretching: Creating length in your muscles while simultaneously balancing, strengthening, meditating, and focusing.

Having said all that, Yin is basically “just stretching.” This special type of class holds postures for several minutes at a time, allowing muscles to lengthen and release more passively. We offer Yin classes Sundays at 11:30AM and Wednesdays at 7:30AM .

Is “Power Yoga” really yoga?

We think so �� Yoga is a profound journey of self-discovery that has been through many evolutions as it’s been adopted by and adapted to new cultural contexts globally. Power Yoga is a relatively modern form of this practice, but our aim remains the same as that of the ancient yoga masters: To calm the mind to be better humans.

Thank you for your continued support. We would not have survived the pandemic without the incredible support of our community (and the PPP loans from the government). As we approach our 10th Anniversary (!!) we know that this is a new era for us, and we enter into it more resilient, more secure, and more sure that the work we do MATTERS.

Do yoga. Feel good.

In gratitude,

Cat Crawford
Owner & CEO
502 Power Yoga

Is Yoga meditating?

Is Yoga just stretching?

Livestream Ending September 28, 2023

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:01:54 GMT

Why we started Virtual classes in the first place

On March 16, 2020, we ceased our in-studio class offerings and pivoted to a fully virtual class experience. We had a Zoom account and enough knowledge of our booking software to Macguyver the quick, dirty, and—what we thought was—temporary, change.

It worked! We transitioned a robust class schedule—plus some family-friendly options—to the virtual world. The initial novelty was almost exciting—we were selling out our Zoom classes at 100 max attendees, seeing faces that we hadn’t seen in years returning to 502 Power Yoga through our screens.

The novelty quickly wore off with time. “Zoom fatigue” became a thing. We realized we weren’t returning to any sense of normalcy anytime soon.

Becoming a “Hybrid” Studio

When we reopened our Highlands studio in the summer of 2020, space was so limited in classes that even the few who were ready to practice in person had trouble getting into class. So we conquered the next hurdle and became what is now called a “hybrid studio” model: We began livestreaming our live, in-studio classes via Zoom.

We purchased standing desks, desktop microphones, and old computers to create “streaming stations” for each studio. It worked pretty well… as long as the instructor stood still and faced toward the microphone (easier said than done).

But the time has come to pull the plug.

Our computer and headset are dying and the quality of the recordings is dwindling. We had to choose if we should invest financially and energetically in new equipment, or invest in our in-studio experience. We are going with the latter. While it was a necessary pivot in 2020 and has served our community for 3.5 years, ultimately 502 Power Yoga is about creating a community that fosters empowerment, accountability, and connection , and our livestream offerings aren’t contributing to that mission.

Our last live stream class will be Stephanie’s 12:15 Power Vinyasa class on Thursday, September 28th.

We invite all of our livestream yogis to take 502 Power Yoga classes from our robust Video On Demand Library of nearly 600 virtual yoga classes . Anyone holding a Membership at 502PY also has unlimited access to the library.

“Virtual Only” membership holders

Your membership will continue as is, with unlimited access to our Video On Demand Library. If you would like to cancel your membership or change to an in-person membership, please complete a Membership Change Request Form .

Interest in the Zoom classes dwindled as our in-person capacity—and attendance—increased. Most of our teachers had Zoom fatigue and were uninterested in teaching “virtual-only” classes. The extra complications around livestreaming from the studio necessitated a limited offering of Zoom classes—Stephanie and I are mere yoga teachers, not 24-hour tech support!

We’ve known that our livestreaming efforts would not last forever—we certainly didn’t think it would last until 2021, let alone 2023. But we have the equipment and a handful of people still attending regularly so there has not been a reason to discontinue it.

Did you practice with us during the pandemic?

Drop your favorite Zoom class memories in the comments below. I’ll start: I loved witnessing you all sharing your practice with your kids, pets, and significant others (I’m looking at you, Nicole W and Megan H).

Do yoga. Feel good.

In gratitude,

Cat Crawford
Owner & CEO
502 Power Yoga

Tulum, Mexico Yoga Retreat Info Session Recap

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 13:49:00 GMT

Tonight we hosted an Info Session for our 2024 Tulum Yoga Retreat! Here is a recap of the items covered in our meeting:

Dates & Travel Info

Retreat Dates:

Feb 17-21, 2024

Arrival:

Fly into the Cancun airport no later than February 17th by mid-afternoon. It takes about 2 hours to travel from the airport to the retreat center (more on that below) and we want people to arrive at Amansala by dinnertime for our arrival cocktail and evening yoga session!

Cuisine

The food will be fresh Mexican food—think fresh fruit, locally caught fish, homemade tortillas, and more. Meals will be served buffet style.

Q: How will food allergies/aversions/preferences be handled?

A: We will communicate all dietary preferences with Amansala upon the booking of your room so they are aware and they will connect you directly with a chef who can cater to your needs.

Rooms

All of the details of the rooms can be found on our yoga retreat details webpage.

Q: How do we go about actually BOOKING our room?

A: When the retreat enrollment goes live at 10AM on Friday, June 2nd, you will have access to a simple form that Stephanie and Cat will use to coordinate all bookings. On this form, you will indicate your first choice of rooms, and just in case that isn’t available, your 2nd choice. You will also indicate your roommate choice and any dietary restrictions. Every Enrollment Request will be timestamped and honored in the order it was received.

Q: When will we know what room we got?

A: We will try to get back to you within just a few hours of your submission, but we are only human, and we expect a lot of requests to come in at once! At MAX you might need to wait 24 hours for a response/confirmation from us. In some situations, we may need to contact the retreat center to request additional rooms for our group, but we will communicate with you that we are waiting on that.

Q: What if I make a new yoga bestie and want to change my room reservation to be with them?

A: Anything is possible. Email us. We will figure it out together and will adjust your payments as needed.

Q: Can I come early or stay late?

A: Yes! There is no official way to request this, and we assume most people won’t know that they’ll do this until later in the year, so don’t worry about that detail when making your initial booking. Whenever you are ready let us know what you would like to do and we will help coordinate it with the retreat center!

Payments

A $500 non-refundable deposit will be required to reserve your room. This will be paid through Walla on your preferred card on file (we’ll confirm with you before we charge anything). The balance will be paid via a 6-month payment plan. Again, we will work with you on these details before we set anything up. For example, if the room is $3500, there will be a $500 deposit due upon booking on June 2nd. The remaining $3000 would be paid in monthly 6 monthly installments of $500 on July 1st, August 1st, etc. until the balance is paid in full. The dates are somewhat flexible. We just need the payments to be paid in full by December 31st, 2023.

Cancelation Policy

A full refund, less your deposit, will be granted if cancelation is received in writing before January 1st, 2024. No refunds will be given if a cancellation is made on or after January 1st, 2024.

Q: Are there any other airport options?

A: Not that we know of!

Q: What airline should we take?

A: Probably not Spirit because it is historically unreliable! Cat loves Southwest but they do not release their flights for February until this July so we don’t know what our options are yet.

Q: Where will be staying?

A: Amansala Retreat Center in Quintana Roo

Q: How will we get from the airport to Amansala?

A: This service is not included in the price of the trip since everyone will have different flight itineraries. AND we will try to all sync up to be able to carpool together because it will be significantly cheaper. Amansala will coordinate airport transfer. The prices are as follows (prices are for each way):

Private transfer $185
2 people sharing 90 each
3 people sharing $70 each
4 people sharing $60 each
5 people sharing $50
6 plus $45

What type of yoga mat should I get?

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 13:42:08 GMT

One of our favorite frequently asked questions (FFAQ): What kind of yoga mat should I get?

You could ask a room of 30 yogis this question and you’ll get 30 different answers ��

When deciding what type of yoga mat you should get, keep these principles in mind:

There are many different types of yoga, and certain mats are better for certain styles of yoga. A mat that is great for a “Hot 26” class might not be great for a Power Vinyasa class.
You get what you pay for
Your ability to enter a state of flow will be hindered if you are constantly sliding around or having to adjust your mat
A yoga mat is pretty much the only equipment you really need as a yogi, like a good pair of running shoes, you want to invest where it matters.

Now let’s compare some types of mats:

BASIC CHEAPO YOGA MAT ($10-20):

While these mats might be great for the budget, you will find that it isn’t very grippy (especially once the sweat starts pouring off your body), it slides around on the floor, and after a couple of uses, they will start to shed little rubber flakes everywhere. Resist the temptation to save a buck and pass on these.

MID-LEVEL YOGA MAT ($40-50):

You’ll find some durable, plush, stickier mats when you increase your budget. This is where I would suggest you begin your yoga journey. Depending on usage, you may get a few years out of it. You may need a yoga towel to help with the sweat, and you’ll know it’s time to upgrade when it starts to shed.

LULULEMON REVERSIBLE “THE MAT” ($78-90):

This is one of the two types of yoga mats we sell at our yoga studio because they are great for a heated power vinyasa practice. They are super grippy right out of the packaging and they soak up sweat immediately so you don’t spend the whole class sliding around. The price point is tolerable but be warned: These mats lose their stickiness over time and will need to be replaced every 1-3 years depending on how they are used. By the way, do not wipe these mats down with your lavender towel after class: The oil in the towel will break down the special surface on the mat and it will lose its grippiness faster.

MANDUKA PRO OR PROLITE MATS ($100-150):

The other type of mat we carry, and my personal fav (Cat), the Manduka is the priciest for a reason. They have a lifetime warranty and they only get better with age. My first Manduka ProLite is still kicking after 12 years of heavy use! The downside is that they take a while to break in (they are pretty slick when brand new), and for a really sweaty class, a mat towel may be needed, and some people don’t like having to deal with a towel. By the way, we carry these mats in extra long for our tall friends!

YOGA MAT TOWELS ($40-50)

As mentioned above, a yoga mat towel can be helpful if:

your mat is lower quality and feels pretty slippery

you identify as a heavy sweater, and/or

the class you’re taking is extra hot.

These towels are yoga mat sized and lay directly on top of your mat, and they are specially formulated to actually be grippy when wet. I’m going to say that again, louder for the people in the back: These towels get grippy when wet. When they are dry, they slip and slide worse than a wet mat! If you use a mat towel to accompany your practice, I recommend keeping it folded at the top of your mat until the moisture from your hands/body makes you slip and slide. Or, drizzle some of the water from your water bottle onto the top and back of the mat (think where your hands and feet would go in downward-facing dog).

Still not sure?

Clear as mud, right? When in doubt, give a mat a test run. We offer Manduka mats, lululemon mats, and mat towels as rentals ($3 each) so you can give them each a try at the studio.

What type of yoga mat do you prefer for a heated vinyasa flow yoga class? Tell us why you love it in the comments below!