Nearly all yoga studios provide rental mats, and they range from free to $3 per rental. This makes it an appealing option when you're on the go and don't want to lug around a big ol' mat, right?
However, let's consider the porous material yoga mats are made of and how your face will soon be resting where a stranger's sweat has been dripping and bare feet have been standing. Although mats are typically regularly cleaned by the studio, they can only do so much. We've been to a high-end Equinox yoga class at which they provide top-of-the-line Manduka mats that are regularly sanitized after class, and sometimes you can still smell the old-sweat-and-feet stink.
Yoga mats can be pricey, but you can get them for as cheap as $10. Even Forever 21 sells them! And Gaiam mats are of great quality for a lower price. Let's say your studio charges $3 per rental; you'd only have to go to about three classes to make a $10 mat worth it, and the feeling of knowing your face is free from other people's germs whilst in Child's Pose is priceless.
Our suggestion: Get your own. Start with something inexpensive, and if you fall in love with yoga, you can scale up.
