The lightweight, portable mat used for yoga and other floor exercises is a yoga mat.
A modern yoga mat provides traction for the hands and feet, cushioning from hard floors, and a defined practice space. Mats are commonly made from PVC, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, cork, jute or cotton. Their thickness reflects a trade-off: thin travel mats are easier to carry, while thicker mats offer more padding for kneeling and seated poses.
The modern sticky mat emerged in the early 1980s. Yoga teacher Angela Farmer used rubber carpet underlay during classes in Germany in 1982, helping inspire the purpose-made mats that later became standard in studios. Hugger Mugger Yoga Products manufactured an early commercially successful version in the 1990s.
A gym mat, Pilates mat and exercise mat can all be suitable for floor work, but they are not exact synonyms in every context. Yoga mats are especially associated with grip and stability during asana practice, while general exercise mats may prioritize softness or extra cushioning.