How To Do Yoga Without A Mat

Maybe your yoga mat is emanating a foul smell after your last hot yoga session and is in dire need of a bath.

Or, perhaps you’re new to yoga and haven’t purchased a mat. Either way, you need a mat, and you’re lacking one.

So, can you do yoga without a mat? Yep, you sure can! But while it is doable, your yoga practice will likely look a bit different than it would atop a mat. Here’s what you need to know about practicing yoga sans a mat.

What Can I Use If I Don’t Have A Yoga Mat?

You don’t always need a yoga mat to practice yoga. Instead, you can get your zen on without a yoga mat, using household items or your surroundings.

Here are our favorite yoga mat substitutions:

• Towels: Beach towels, bath towels, yoga towels – any of them will do the trick. They provide a soft barrier and a small amount of cushioning from the floor beneath you. However, be careful not to place the towel on a slippery surface, as it can be dangerous if it slides out from underneath you.
• Blanket: Like towels, blankets work perfectly as a yoga mat substitution. Of course, they won’t offer the grip a yoga mat does, but they’ll do in a pinch. Again, be careful where you place the blanket, as you don’t want it to escape from beneath your feet or hands as you practice.
• Rug: If you have a rug in your bedroom or living area, use it as your practicing surface. Bonus points if the rug is secured by a couch or bed resting on it, as there’s less of a chance that it will slip from underneath you.
• Carpet: A soft, carpeted floor will work in lieu of a yoga mat, too. The carpeting is secured to the floor, so it won’t slide, but it can be somewhat slippery in balancing poses. If you choose a carpeted surface, be careful in balancing poses.
• Floors: The floors in your home will do if you don’t have a yoga mat. While laminate, tile, and hardwood floors can be pretty uncomfortable for seated poses, they usually work fine for standing postures.
• Grass: Bring your practice into the serene peace of nature and practice on the grass. Remember, the grassy carpet covering your yard can be slippery, especially when it’s wet, so be careful in balancing poses.

Can I Do Yoga On A Bed Instead Of A Mat?

Practicing yoga on your bed can be an excellent alternative to practicing on a mat, but it won’t work for all types of yoga. Mattresses are much softer than the floor, so you should avoid practicing standing or balancing poses on your bed.

It can be tricky to balance on a heavily cushioned surface, so it’s best to stick with seated poses or those that don’t demand balance.

Yoga is a great way to slowly wind down from your day, so practicing in bed can be the perfect transition from your soothing routine to sleep. Conversely, you can start the day with an energizing yoga routine to get the blood moving and shake off your sleepy stupor.

What Happens If You Don’t Use A Yoga Mat?

Practicing yoga without a mat shouldn’t lead to catastrophic results, provided you’re careful. That said, rushing through your session or practicing on a slippery surface could open the door to injury. So, it’s essential to be smart about the surfaces you choose and the pace you pick.

You might find that some surfaces work better for specific poses and movements. For example, a hardwood floor isn’t ideal for seated poses but works great for standing poses. Alternatively, a thick blanket provides ample cushioning for seated poses but is a bit too unstable for standing poses.

Remember, you can always use a few surfaces to get in a well-rounded practice. For example, you could have a blanket on hand for seated poses and use the hardwood floor for standing sequences.

5 Tips To Successfully Practicing Yoga Without A Mat

While yoga mats aren’t essential for yoga, they eliminate the guesswork surrounding matless sessions. That said, doing yoga without a mat is entirely doable.

Here are a few tips to help you safely and successfully get into a satisfying yoga session:

1. Pick A Good Surface

Picking a suitable surface is one of the most important parts of practicing yoga without a mat. If you choose a slippery or overly cushioned surface, your session might fall flat. So, think about the sequences you want to do in your practice and use that to determine the best surface for the session.

For instance, if you hope to wind down with a restorative yoga session, your bed or a thick blanket might be the perfect surface. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to get in a heart-pumping Ashtanga yoga session, a fixed rug or a grassy lawn might be the perfect spot.

Some surfaces, like carpets and coarse rugs, can be hard on your skin as you move across them, so be sure to choose an option that works well for the practice you’re doing. 

It all comes down to what type of practice you hope to do.

2. Use The Wall

The wall can be a helpful tool when practicing without a yoga mat, especially when practicing on slippery surfaces. While it’s essential to proceed with caution when practicing on these surfaces, you can use various tools to help with stability, including the wall.

For example, if you find yourself slipping backward or forward in a downward dog, place your feet or hands against the wall for added stability.

3. Use Cushions When You Need Them

If you plan to practice any type of sitting or laying poses and sequences, opt for a cushioned surface for the most comfort. Your bones and joints will thank you, as hard surfaces (like the floor) can be merciless in these poses.

So, use a thick blanket, a rug, or a carpeted area for this section of your practice. Alternatively, use your bed as a soft, forgiving surface for the session.

4. Draw Inspiration From Other Practitioners

Developing matless yoga routines can be tricky, especially if you’re new to yoga. Some poses and sequences are best done on a yoga mat, as the added stability and gentle cushioning bode well for these sessions. So, if you’re drawing a blank on what moves and sequences you might do, draw inspiration from other practitioners.

For example, if you’re looking for a bed-friendly routine, search for a bed yoga routine. Draw inspiration from suggestions around you, considering the poses and sequences in each suggestion and your practicing surface to develop a well-rounded routine.

Remember, you might not be able to do all the yoga poses you’re used to, as your working surface might not be a good fit. Stick to moves you’re comfortable and confident doing on your work surface, as it’s best to cut out moves that could lead to injury on that surface than push forward solely for a complete routine.

Skip the poses that place unnecessary stress on your joints and bones, opting for more friendly poses until you have a yoga mat to use.

5. Take Your Time

As you compile a list of moves and sequences to do without a yoga mat, take your time. Once you develop a routine, take it slow as you move through the session, giving your body time to find its rhythm.

Your adjusted yoga routine might seem odd, not flowing as smoothly without the missing moves, but that is okay.

Take your time, moving slowly through the motions to avoid slipping on your work surface. Breathe deeply as you move, enjoying the session for what it brings.