What Color Yoga Mat is Best for YOU? (personality + meaning + intention)
Picking the perfect yoga mat color for YOU is a practice-changer! It can be a mindful expression of your personality, an act of creating harmony, and powerful support for your intentions. Think about it: how often are your eyes on your mat? Every Down Dog, each sweaty Sun Salutation, all through challenging Chaturanga. You need illuminating inspiration! A drishti hue to help keep your asana stars aligned. Many tales are told by the color of your yoga mat.
You’ve come to just the right place. With color psychology + yogini wisdom, we’ll discover your best yoga mat color, which one you should buy, and the meaning of this crazily colorful microcosm that will suit YOU, most supremely.
Yoga Mat Color Personality:
Questions to ask yourself:
- How do I want to feel? What is my intention for my yoga practice?
- What color makes me feel like my very highest, brightest, most brilliant self?
- Which hue do I naturally gravitate to?
Yoga Mat Color Meaning:
RED – You are energetic, vibrant, and passionate. You feel things intensely. Like a red Ferrari, you stand out from the crowd…and someone (the cops? damned car color profiling!) is always chasing you. You like to chase back.
Niyama: Tapas — Heat/Cleansing.
Poses: Utkatasana (Chair Pose), Virabhadrasana 2 (Warrior 2), and Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations).
Chakra: Root – Survival + Grounding.
Add more RED to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
red yoga mat (Tip: wash thoroughly before using; this mat brand is slippery before washing, but great grip after.) / red yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / red yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / red yoga block + strap set / red yoga leggings (Gorgeous garnet color + hidden pocket + thick and opaque!) / women’s red yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s red yoga tank (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / red eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
ORANGE – Orange mat people are balanced, warm, and enthusiastic. They have brought along Sweet Chili Yogi Tea to class to share with everyone. A little (or maybe a lot) flamboyant, they have oodles of friends.
Yama: Asteya — Non-Stealing; Oranges have plenty to give and love to do so.
Poses: Cat/Cow with Lion’s Breath, Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow/Wheel), and Pincha Mayurasana (Peacock).
Chakra: Sacral – Relationships + Sexuality.
Add more ORANGE to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
orange yoga mat (Thick, cushiony, Manduka Pro. Ahh.) / orange yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / orange yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / orange yoga block / orange yoga strap / orange yoga leggings (These are called Goddess leggings for a reason. So uniquely cool, like you, Orange.) / women’s orange yoga tank (Beautiful cut-out racerback + built-in shelf bra.) / men’s orange yoga tank (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / orange eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
YELLOW – You are joyous, happy, and hopeful. When you walk into a room, you fill the space with sunshine + lightness. Yellow people inspire and instill optimism in others.
Niyama: Santosha — Contentment.
Poses: Happy Baby, Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe), and Trikonasana (Triangle).
Chakra: Solar Plexus – Personal Power + Growth.
Add more YELLOW to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
yellow yoga mat (Lightweight, long-lasting Manduka ProLite.) / yellow yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / yellow yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / yellow yoga block / yellow yoga strap / yellow yoga leggings (So soft + pretty shirred legs.) / women’s yellow yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s yellow yoga tank (Lightweight + breathable mesh knit.) / yellow eco-friendly water bottle (Complete with crazy straw! Fun, just like you, Yellow. BPA-free.)
GREEN – Green mat yogi/nis are natural, youthful, and intelligent. They love to learn, draw money and prosperity to them with ease, and are often healers of some sort. Greens are the people you want to know; they have an aura of ethereality + quirk.
Traditional Niyama: Mati — Spiritual Will + Intellect.
Poses: Vrksasana (Tree), Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend), and Camatkarasana (Wild Thing).
Chakra: Heart – Unconditional Love for the Self + Others.
Add more GREEN to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
green yoga mat (Lightweight, long-lasting Manduka ProLite.) / green yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / green yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials. Earth-loving, just like a Green!) / green yoga block + strap set / green yoga leggings (Seafoam, sleek, with clean lines.) / women’s green yoga tank (Ruched prettily at the bust, shelf-bra, + the loveliest strappy back detail.) / men’s green yoga t-shirt (This tee is so cool. Combat Green with subtly patterned mesh.) / green eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
BLUE – You are tranquil, calm, and steady. You cannot tell a lie. Satya is your modus operandus. What you aren’t is loud, flashy, or inappropriate. Blues are welcome anywhere; they flow like water, making their way purposefully, yet elegantly.
Traditional Yama: Kshama — Patience + Presence.
Poses: Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand), and Sukhasana (Easy Pose).
Chakra: Throat – Communication.
Add more BLUE to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
blue yoga mat (Lightweight, long-lasting Manduka ProLite.) / blue yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / blue yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / blue yoga block + strap set / blue yoga leggings (Deep, sleek, and cool, just like you, Blue.) / women’s blue yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s blue yoga t-shirt (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / blue eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
PURPLE – People mat people are sophisticated, mysterious, and wise. They embody the grace of royalty. Purples are creative, artistic, + spiritual. Their color is the hue of meditation.
Niyama: Svadhyaya — Self-Study.
Poses: Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance/King Dancer), Eka Pada Koundinyasana 2, and Padmasana (Lotus).
Chakra: Third Eye/Brow – Intuition, Clarity, + Consciousness.
Add more PURPLE to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
purple yoga mat (Lightweight, long-lasting Manduka ProLite.) / purple yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / purple yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / purple yoga block + strap set / purple yoga leggings (Gorgeous plummy purple + pretty shirred legs.) / women’s purple yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s purple yoga t-shirt (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / purple eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
PINK – Pink mat practitioners are sweet, romantic, and idealistic. They are closely in touch with and celebrate their inner child. These are caring, tender people who want to love and be loved. Hugging a Pink is like being wrapped in a fuzzy, snuggly, flowery blanket.
Traditional Yama: Daya — Compassion.
Poses: Hanumanasana (Monkey), Purvottanasana (Upward Plank), and Balasana (Child’s).
Add more PINK to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
pink yoga mat (Tip: wash thoroughly before using; this mat brand is slippery before washing, but great grip after.) / pink yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / pink yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / pink yoga block + strap set / pink yoga leggings (Happy bright pink + pretty shirred legs.) / women’s pink yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s pink yoga t-shirt (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / pink eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
WHITE – You are pure, peaceful, and innocent. Soft, quiet, and gentle like winter snow.
Niyama: Sauca — Cleanliness. White has the presence of all colors and represents the energy of light. You have the ability to cleanse others and make them feel balanced and at ease.
Poses: Sirsasana (Headstand), Marichyasana 1, and Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall).
Chakra: Crown – Pure Consciousness.
Add more WHITE to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
white yoga mat (Tip: wash thoroughly before using; this mat brand is slippery before washing, but great grip after.) / white yoga mat bag (Color is ivory/natural. The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / white yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / white yoga block (White yoga blocks are very hard to find! This one is natural cork; as close as YIFY could come to white.) / white yoga strap (Color is more ivory/natural.) / white yoga leggings (White. Python-print. Yoga leggings. These are AMAZING.) / women’s white yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s white yoga tank (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / white eco-friendly water bottle (Clean, pristine, + BPA-free.)
BLACK – Black mat yogi/nis are powerful, effortlessly stylish, and deep. Where white is all colors, black is the absence of light, no color.
Yama: Aparigraha — Non-Attachment. As black is indicative of the unseen, these yogi/nis have faith, solid as black soil. They are at peace with what may come. They are resilient.
Poses: Virasana (Hero), Virabhadrasana 3 (Warrior 3), and Bhujangasana (Cobra).
Add more BLACK to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
black yoga mat (Thick, cushiony, Manduka Pro. Ahh.) / black yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / black yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / black yoga block / black yoga strap / black yoga leggings (These fit like a glove. Waist is high for me, but the thickly opaque material + durability are paramount. Read notes on fit before buying.) / women’s black yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s black yoga t-shirt (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / black eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
GRAY – You are subtle, sleek, and dignified. Gray is the color of winter skies and the water along rugged coastlines. You value security, minimalism, and independence. Perhaps you are a lone wolf, happily at peace in solitude, but able to enjoy the company of others on occasion.
Yama: Brahmacharya — Moderation.
Poses: Paschimottanasana (Forward Bend), Dolphin, and Garudasana (Eagle).
Add more GRAY to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
gray yoga mat (Earth-kind, lightweight, toxin-free Manduka eko.) / gray yoga mat bag (28″ long, holds a ton, zippered compartments, + ventilation eyelets.) / gray yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / gray yoga block + strap set / gray yoga leggings (Space-dye can be very cool when done right. These are subtle yet uniquely interesting, just like you, Gray.) / women’s gray yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s gray yoga t-shirt (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking + stretch mesh.) / gray eco-friendly water bottle (My fave. BPA-free, made in the US, foldable/rollable!)
BROWN – Brown mat practitioners are earthy, stable, and comfortable in their mind, body, and spirit. They are masters of home and hearth, often good cooks and hosts/hostesses. Browns are unflappable; steady, strong, + genuine.
Yama: Ahimsa — No Harm.
Poses: Tadasana (Mountain), Malasana (Garland), and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog).
Add more BROWN to your yoga practice + life with these YIFY-approved goodies:
brown yoga mat (Tip: wash thoroughly before using; this mat brand is slippery before washing, but great grip after.) / brown yoga mat bag (The one I happily use. 27″ long, 100% cotton, easy zip, can’t-beat $20!) / brown yoga towel (Grippy + soaks like a sponge. Made with 50% recycled materials.) / brown yoga block set (2 blocks for under $10! Yowza.) / brown yoga strap / brown yoga pants (Soft + streamlined harem pants. Perfect for flowy, earthy Browns.) / women’s brown yoga tank (Love this — I have 7 different colors! Wear a sports bra underneath; breezy with the bits covered.) / men’s brown yoga t-shirt (Under Armour HeatGear + lightweight + wicking.) / brown eco-friendly water bottle (Double-insulated, stainless steel, + BPA-free.)
Live, Love, + Practice Colorfully!
Your special color helps align you with the Self. Surrounding your being with the hues that elevate your mind and yoga practice is very wise, indeed.
Tell me, do you and your yoga mat match? What color do you have? If not, based on the personality profiles above, which color sounds most like you?
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2010 and has been updated with more verve, fabtastic content, + fun sharable infographics!
(all artwork © Y is for Yogini. photo credit: Yoga Accessories)
OMG I’m green and purple too… twinsies ;-)
Green and purple? no surprises here ;-)
I’m blue (because that was the only colour my first yoga teacher sold, so does not really count. Love shoulderstand though) and pink, and yes, I do “celebrate my inner child”, I’ll put it that way from now on :-D
Great article!! Mine is worn out purple. :)
Maybe my next mat will be a rainbow ;0) lol Keep everyone guessing… oh, wait, there’s that ‘mysterious’ side of purple coming out in me… teeheehee.
I’m purple (actually lavender)…sounds like a pretty good match for my personality – but I’m thinking I bought this color because it was the only one available at the store!
Can’t wait to go to yoga class tonight to see what color everyone is in class!
I have a black and green one.. black is more for home and the green is the one that stays in my car.
No joke, ladies…I’m GREEN and PURPLE too! Was there a sale? or are we just super cool???
OMG, B/F/F’s haha! ;)
What a fun little quiz! I have 1 mat that is purple & another that is purple on one side & green on the other :)
lavender and dark purple mat — but with three different Yogitoes that go on top! Green, orange and red. And yes, I do choose which Yogitoes comes to the studio depending on my mood. :)
I’m green. And black. Fun read!
Awesome! Mine is green, and I love the interpretation. Fun post. Accurate on the “quirk” description, for sure!
Awesome! Mine is green, and I love the interpretation. Fun post. Accurate on the “quirk” description, for sure!
Awesome! Mine is green, and I love the interpretation. Fun post. Accurate on the “quirk” description, for sure!
I am a pink girl because it is a happy fun color
Love that! And I was green for a long time too and switched to purple about 18 months ago. With you on that!
Purple and pink as a backup :) love this post!!
This is a great post! Oh, and my mat is orange! :-)
Fun post! I’ve been using my bright orange mat lately … but I just got a soothing purple one. Your descriptions are right on! Love it …
orange and black!
I love my green one, which I’ve had since I started oh so many years ago..well loved and well used. I now have a brown and blue one for my home practice.
I’m green and blue! And this is soo true.
Interesting about the color of the mats. I am green, blue, and purple. The other day I got a mat that is the color of a dark mauve. What does that represent? Just got it because I needed a mat, it was cheap, and I liked the color.
I am basically a blue mat, through and through … but my patterned orange mat was my choice, based on brand/thickness/availability …
When ya get to talking to me there’s NO mistaking me for an orange!
black- but i used to have blue and orange, my sister let them rot out in the weather and threw them away, but i can wear orange and blue or any other colors while i do yoga!
I’m green!!! It is still my first yoga mat, and I am in dire need to get it used…by me!
mine’s tie-dye. sooo, i’m schizophrenic? i’m cool with that.
Grey, though if I could have found an Eggplant purple, I would have been torn in my decision. Grey suits me very well, according to your analysis. Thanks for this, it was fun :)
My first mat was orange, with butterflies on it. Sometimes, I borrow my husbands green one. Now, I have a ocean blue tie-dye one. I love it. What does that say about me?
I have a rainbow colored mat ;-)
Mine is black and the description suits me. I’ve been looking for a white one. I’ll have to go back and look at what personality traits I’ll have when I do find one. (lol)
Awesome! I have 2 mats: red and purple. I bust out the one that jives with my motivation for the day :)
It’s funny that I came across this post. The other day it came time to buy a new mat and I ended up spending about 45 minutes deciding on a color! When you spend so much time on it, it’s really pretty important. I ended up buying this espresso/dijon ECO mat by Prana that’s reversable! http://www.barefootyoga.com/Detail.bok?no=847 That way, no matter my mood, I’ll be happy doing yoga :)
I pick my mats based on the pattern/design and not the color. I have three. They are all different in color.
When you think of it, all our choices reflect our personality and by analysing the choices we make, including the colours, we can better understand our own personality. For people who practice yoga, they know the benefits it has to your fitness, but apart from that, the mat you choose says a lot about who you really are. My yoga mat is red and I believe that the description of the personality that you wrote truly reflects my character.
YOU, are funny :)
Love your writing, you make me laugh. Why do people seem to think Yoga needs to be so darn serious??