Are Cork Yoga Mats Slippery?

When in search of the best yoga mat for your practice, there are a lot of factors to consider. One very important thing to take into consideration is whether or not a yoga mat is slippery. After all, practicing yoga on a slippery mat isn’t easy and does not make for an enjoyable practice. 

This article will not only answer the question “Are cork yoga mats slippery?”, but it will also give you some tips on how to keep your yoga mat from slipping and sliding while being used. While the quality of the mat plays a crucial role in its slipperiness, there are certain things you can do to prevent slipperiness and enjoy your practice. But before we get into all of that, let’s answer the question at hand.

Are cork yoga mats slippery?

In short, the answer is no. If you take good care of your cork yoga mat, making sure to keep it clean and protected from any harsh conditions, then your non-slip mat should last a long time. Cork is naturally non-slip. It provides a nice grip so that while you practice, you can stay in one place during any position. What’s more? When wet, cork releases a waxy substance called Suberin. This substance makes the mat even more non-slip when moisture is added. 

Because of this, cork yoga mats are perfect for any yoga practice, including hot yoga. Cork yoga mats are an excellent choice if you are looking to decrease slipping and enhance your practice. Not to mention, cork yoga mats are made from 100% sustainable materials and are completely environmentally-friendly. What’s not to love about cork yoga mats?

Tips For Non-Slip Grip

Although cork yoga mats are naturally non-slip, there are some things you can do to prevent slipperiness even more. Here, we will take a look at a few tips to keep your mat from being slippery so that you can have a nice, peaceful practice, free of any incidents.

1. Avoid using lotions or oils before practice. Because lotions and oils are slippery alone, adding sweat to the mix can make for a greasy combination that doesn’t bode well for yoga practice. Plus, using oils and lotions and then getting on your cork yoga mat can speed up the deterioration process and will eventually leave your mat in pretty bad shape. Our suggestion? Wait until after your practice to apply your skin creams.  
2. Keep your cork mat clean. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the amount of people that do not clean their mat after every practice. Of course, cork yoga mats are naturally antimicrobial, meaning that bacteria are not typically found living on them. However, it is still important to wipe your yoga mat down after each use. Because of their antibacterial properties, they are very easy to clean and do not require a lot of extra effort. Simply take a soft cloth, wet it with cold water, and wipe down. It is important to avoid any mat cleaners or substances with harsh chemicals or strong essential oils, as this could potentially damage the mat.

3. Make sure you are in proper alignment. Yes, improper alignment could be the culprit as to why you are slipping during practice. In order to correct your alignment, take a look at the poses where you slip the most. Then, have an instructor or a fellow yogi take a look at your positioning and alignment and perhaps make some corrections. After all, it is always good to continuously better yourself and your yoga practice. And this way, you won’t be sliding around nearly as much during practice.

4. Slow down a bit. While so many of us want to advance and keep growing in our practice, it is important that we don’t overdo it. If you are just beginning yoga and you want to go straight to jumping into chaturanga, then you probably won’t fare too well. Yes, you may land in the position you were aiming for, but don’t bypass the steps to get there. Take your time and grow in your practice. This can also help with stability and slipping. If you want to advance, then take the time to work at it. Don’t just jump right into it. This could mean the difference between a deep, successful practice, and one that is a bit all over the place. 

5. Use less momentum when transitioning. This may not seem like a big deal, but trust us, it is. If you are using too much force to move from one position to the next, then chances are you will be slipping more. A tell-tale sign of too much momentum is if your hands and feet make noises when moving into new positions. You should quietly shift from one position to another. So slow down, take a deep breath, and move lightly. This will keep you from slipping and improve your practice overall.

If you are looking to improve slipperiness in your yoga practice, then perhaps you should invest in a cork yoga mat, as well as using these tips provided above. Namaste!

Check out our signature cork yoga mat collection.