How to Secure Your Yoga Mat Towel for Hot Yoga

Quick answer

Secure your yoga mat towel for hot yoga by choosing a towel with silicone nubs for grip, placing it centered on your mat, and pressing it down firmly before practice.

Steps to secure your yoga mat towel

1. Choose a towel with silicone nubs: Select a yoga towel that has silicone nubs on the underside. Regular towels slide—look for a microfiber blend with silicone dots or strips for grip. If your towel is slippery when dry, dampen it slightly to activate the silicone. Silicone nubs work best on dry or slightly damp mats; avoid soaking the towel before class.
2. Center the towel on your mat: Unroll your mat and place the towel so it's evenly aligned with the edges. For a standard 72-inch mat, an 84-inch towel like the one from Extra Large Yoga Mats will overhang slightly—tuck any extra evenly around the ends. Misalignment is the most common cause of shifting. If your towel is longer than your mat, fold and tuck the excess under the ends rather than letting it dangle.
3. Press and smooth the towel over the mat: Kneel or walk your hands over the entire surface, pressing firmly to engage the silicone nubs with the mat. Smooth out any wrinkles or air pockets, as these create weak points that cause slipping during poses like downward dog. Pay extra attention to the top and bottom of the mat, where your hands and feet apply the most pressure.
4. Moisten the towel if it's brand new or dry: New towels with silicone nubs may feel slippery until dampened. Lightly spray or mist the towel with water, then press again. The grip improves as the microfiber absorbs moisture. Avoid using a towel that's bone-dry in hot yoga—it won't stick well. Don't oversaturate; a light mist is enough to activate the grip without making the surface soggy.
5. Adjust during your practice if needed: If you feel the towel shifting, pause between poses to re-center it. Often, the issue is that the towel was not pressed down firmly enough at the start. For extra security, some yogis use small yoga towel clips at the top corners—but only if your mat is thin enough to accommodate them. Most slipping happens in the first 5 minutes; a quick adjustment early prevents constant fuss later.

Product recommendation for secure grip

• 84" Yoga Mat Towel (Nube Gris): This 84" Yoga Mat Towel features 100% silicone nubs for unmatched grip and stability on any surface. The silicone nubs grip your mat without needing clips, keeping the towel firmly in place even during sweaty hot yoga sessions.