The Wall Street Journal reviews the latest yoga mats in a recent post at their site.

This coverage is interesting and is yet another indicator as to the ever growing popularity of yoga across a rapidly expanding segment of the U.S. population. In fact, the yoga industry may just be one of the next big boom industries as more and more people seek wholeness or completeness in their ever more fragmented lives.

What’s at the core of this expansion is highly debatable ( I think people find a great deal more than exercise in their practice, but may not be able to articulate it or wish to admit it ) and could be its own post entirely, but what is clear is that the yoga gear industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

In fact, according to the WJS,

Manufacturers are unveiling the new mats at a time when the market for yoga equipment is growing. According to a 2008 survey by Yoga Journal, Americans spend $5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products, an 87% increase from 2004.

Since I’m in the market for a new mat, I found this article interesting, if not helpful as I try and wade through the overwhelming choices. I don’t want bad mat karma and have found choosing to be a bit difficult. Do I go Manduka? Or, is Jade the way to go? I like Jade’s advertising campaign a lot, so who knows? And then there are the Eco considerations and PVC concerns.

Bottom line, I just want a mat that doesn’t slip, doesn’t slide and that is practical for my Ashtanga practice.