There are hundreds of yoga mats on the market, including those from well-known brands like Lululemon, Manduka and Gaiam. Now, however, there is one mat that seems to overshadow the rest: the Backslash Fit Smart Mat.

The new mat features an internal locking mechanism that rolls the mat back up within seconds. The mat is also getting rave reviews for being extra thick at 5mm and super soft, as well as extra-long so you don’t have to worry about ending up with your hands or feet on the cold floor. It has a non-slip bottom and even seems to withstand the heat of hot yoga without sending participants sliding all over the mat.

Amazingly, the mat also pairs with Amazon Alexa, so you can listen to your favorite yoga flow while working out. The world's first smart mat was developed with Women's Health and claims to be one of the grippiest and softest mats around.

The modern yoga mat was developed by Angela Farmer, one of the most renowned yoga teachers in the world. After a surgery that left her unable to sweat from her hands and feet, Farmer found that practicing yoga on a hard, dry floor was extremely uncomfortable. While teaching yoga in Munich in 1968, she found a thin piece of underlay from a carpet factory that served as a mat.

When she returned to London, her students began using the underlay as well, which led her father to contact the owner of the German carpet factory. He eventually became the first retailer of yoga mats. Angela Farmer currently lives on the island of Lesvos in Greece with Victor Van Kooten. The couple has been teaching yoga together for the past 25 years.

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Since 1968, the yoga mat has advanced and evolved, however, its function remains the same. More than simply providing a sticky surface, it also defines your space. It is also a reflection of our personality and philosophy. According to William Sloan, a professional yogi, a yoga mat serves several purposes. It gives your body the right balance while practicing, it allows you to stretch comfortably, and it lets you practice intricate yoga asanas at ease.

The Backslash Fit Smart Mat can be purchased at backslashfit.com for $89.99.

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