The undeniable thrill of travel often comes at the expense of our usual routines and self-care practices. For yoga buffs, this disruption can mean missing out on the physical, mental and emotional benefits of our regular yoga practice.

Although a growing number of high end hotels and retreats now provide yoga mats as a standard inclusion, there are many compelling reasons to bring your own travel yoga mat, wherever in the world you might go.

(Ever wondered what a retreat based on Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine is like? Read this.)

Beyond the obvious hygiene benefits, having your own personal mat ensures comfort, consistency and a deeper connection to your practice.

Here are 13 reasons why, just like celebrities Jennifer Aniston, Gisele Bundchen, and Matthew McConaughey, you should always pack a travel yoga mat when hitting the road.

Health and hygiene

Even if your hotel offers yoga mats, they might not spell out how often (or even whether) they’re cleaned and disinfected for the next guest. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health noted that gym and exercise equipment such as yoga mats ‘may serve as excellent living places for bacteria’ such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus. Shared mats can harbor cleaning product residues, dust, or allergens from previous users. Favourable  indoor ventilation design, air circulation, and relative humidity, help reduce the risks, but bringing your own mat provides a further step towards safeguarding your health while travelling.

Comfort and consistency

Bringing your own mat when you travel may help to prevent injuries, minimise distractions, and facilitate a sense of comfort. We all have individual preferences when it comes to the texture, thickness, or grip of a mat, which means the one at your hotel might not suit your needs. Possession of your personal mat also provides a sense of comfort, consistency, and stability. This can be especially valuable when travelling, as it lends a sense of home in unfamiliar surroundings.

Helps maintain your routine

Travel can play merry hell with exercise routines, but carrying your own yoga mat makes it easier to maintain a connection to your practice. The Mayo Clinic reports that exercise can boost the production of your brain’s feel good chemicals, reduce stress, and lift mood. If you’ve just got off a long-haul plane trip, then a daytime walk, run, cycle or stretch once you reach your destination can even help to reset your circadian rhythms, easing the effects of jetlag.

Lightweight, portable mats exist

I love my portable, foldable, non-slip Nomad Travel Yoga Mat, available from the Yogi Peace Club. (Mine was gifted). At 1mm, it’s thin, adds less than a kilogram to my carry-on luggage, and comes with a travel pouch that’s roughly the size of a laptop case. Many customers use it to give their laptops additional cushioning during flights. It’s also the standard size of a yoga mat (1730 x 610 mm), so you can layer over studio mats for better hygiene when travelling. In 2024, it received Gold at the Clean + Conscious Awards 2024 due, in part, to its eco-conscious materials – namely, natural rubber. This mat is also free from harmful PVC, phthalates and toxins.

Supports spontaneous practice

Travel doesn’t always go according to plan (or to timetable). Having a mat handy means you’re more likely to take advantage of practice opportunities in non-standard settings – including the airport, when cancellations, delays, and long queues might otherwise put a crimp in your style. Some airports including New York’s JFK now even offer dedicated yoga rooms. Once you’ve left the airport, the flexibility that come with being able to grab your mat when you’re heading to the beach, park or lookout, also makes it easier to incorporate yoga into your travel itinerary.

Serves as a symbol of self-care

Carrying your mat signifies a commitment to your well-being. It’s a tangible reminder to ensure self-care remains at the top of your ‘to do’ list, even during busy trips. This self-care mindset can then positively influence other important aspects of travel, such as diet and sleep. In Grounded, author Anna Carlile points out that sleep is a primary self-care initiative, as it provides our body with the time and resources to do essential self-care, like cell regeneration and repair, and growth hormone production. Often, too, spending time in Savasana can be the most important thing you do all day.

Becomes a repository of memories

There’s a reason so many of us like to watch reruns of Friends or The Office during times of high stress. Familiar stimuli in the form of TV shows we’ve seen before can be restful and restorative when the world seems overwhelming. In much the same way, familiar objects like your yoga mat can also serve as a mental anchor during travel, helping you stay calm and focussed in an unfamiliar environment. Some yogis even believe that your mat absorbs the energy of your practice over time, with every stretch, pose, and meditation leaves an imprint. While it’s unclear how this might work, being reminded of past growth and inspired to future practice can be especially grounding during travel.

Packing your own travel yoga mat might seem like a minor decision, but it can make a world of difference to your outlook. From health and hygiene to self-care and spontaneity, your yoga mat is more than just a piece of equipment – it’s a trusty travel companion along the path to self-care, mindfulness and more enjoyable travel.

Want to learn more about the water purifier I pack when I’m on the go? Read this.