This Lululemon Yoga Mat Got Me Through 200 Hours of Yoga Teacher Training

When I was 18, I hopped on a plane to Bali with a dream of becoming a yoga teacher. I only brought a few belongings with me because I signed up for a yoga teacher-training that involved living in a hut in the Balinese jungle. My suitcase included a few pairs of leggings, some workout tanks, and the Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm (Buy It, $68, lululemon.com). So now, I want to shout it from the rooftops: I am in love with this Lululemon yoga mat, and everyone needs to know it.

This mat became my trusted companion through all my backbends, forward folds, and morning meditations. It saw me through 200 hours of yoga teacher training, supporting my shoulder stands and cushioning me through savasana. Without the support of my family and this Lululemon yoga mat, I would have been a yoga school dropout for sure.

I was so enthusiastic about this Lululemon yoga mat, I earned the nickname "Miss Lululemon" among my fellow yogis. I laughed on this mat, cried on this mat, and became a certified ashtanga vinyasa yoga teacher on this mat. Post-Bali, this Lululemon yoga mat came with me on several cross-country moves because it is pure magic and I don't want to do yoga without it.

I'm shocked the Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm is still in circulation five years later—but as they say, legends never die. What makes this mat *so* special is its grippy texture and cushy, rubber base. The plushness allows you to comfortably flow and feel supported during poses like elbow planks, where pain can emerge from inadequate cushioning. The mat works wonders if you have joint pain, but even lithe 20-somethings can benefit from the support. Also great: The mat's non-slip surface keeps your hands and feet in place, so you can say "goodbye" to yoga towels.

And if yoga is not your cup of tea, this mat is versatile enough for pilates, strength training, and at-home sweat sessions. The cushioning cradles you during your intense ab workout to minimize back, neck, and shoulder pain, and it'll keep you supported and upright for butt-boosting moves, thanks to the no-slip texture and sturdy construction. Plus, the polyurethane top layer actually absorbs moisture, so you're not sliding around during your workout.

Need more proof this mat is everything and more? Reviewers on Lululemon's site rave about how it changes the way they work out. One hot yoga instructor said, "your hands stay glued in place, giving you the confidence to do any move." A Pilates goer shared that this mat has "seriously made all the difference" in her practice. It also received nods from barre and boot camp enthusiasts, because it delivers "plenty of padding" during tricky movements.

Not to mention, the Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm is durable and has—so far—stood the test of time. Five years and countless fitness classes later, this lululemon yoga mat has retained its shape and works just as well as the first day I bought it. Whether you're doing an at-home workout or going on an Eat Pray Love-inspired adventure as I did, this Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm is my ride or die—and now it can be yours, too.

Buy It: Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm, $68, lululemon.com