How Do Yoga Towels Differ From Regular Bath Towels?

　　If you think a regular beach or bath towel will work for your yoga class, you may want to reconsider. Though they feel similar, there are some major differences between everyday cotton towels and designated yoga towels.

　　Absorbency

　　The main distinction between regular cotton towels and yoga towels is their absorbency. Cotton towels absorb water to help dry you off, but they hold onto this moisture for a while. If you use one during yoga — especially hot yoga — your towel will become saturated quickly and lose its grip on the floor or mat. Once it reaches its maximum capacity, it will cease to absorb more sweat.

　　A person's hand curves as they sit cross legged in a yoga pose

　　Yoga towels absorb more moisture than normal towels, and they’re also sweat sweat-wicking, meaning they absorb moisture and dry quickly. Because of these properties, yoga towels will keep you drier than cotton towels and won’t get damp or soggy underneath you.

　　Durability

　　Normal towels are not made to withstand heavy exercise, friction and stretching, so they won’t last very long as a yoga towel. They’ll start to fray and tear with frequent use, so you’ll have to replace them more often.

　　Yoga towels are made of more durable, stretchy materials, so you can put pressure on them during yoga without them breaking easily. This helps them stay intact longer than regular bath towels.

　　Grip

　　Even if you’re not interested in hot yoga and aren’t worried about your towel’s absorbency, a yoga towel is still a better option for any yoga practice because of its anti-slip properties. A regular cotton towel is soft and doesn’t have much grip, so it’ll slide around as you move. This will make it harder to balance and increase the chance of injury, especially when wet.

　　Yoga towels have unique surfaces and extra grips underneath to keep them firmly on the floor or mat. With a stable, anti-slip surface beneath you, you can focus on breathing and getting the pose right.

　　Length

　　Another way yoga towels differ from regular bath towels is their length. Normal towels come in various sizes, so your towel may be bigger or smaller than your yoga mat. When your towel isn’t long or wide enough for the mat, your feet may miss the towel frequently, and you’ll spend a lot of time adjusting it for each pose. If it’s too big, the edges will touch the floor and get dirty.