You were sweating for almost an hour and a half at your last yoga class. The sweat was dripping all over your mat — a sign of all your hard work. At the end of class, after relaxing in Savasana, you rolled up the mat to await your next class.

If you stop and think about it though, you have created a damp and dark environment perfect for bacteria and mold to thrive. You don't want things to be growing or living on your yoga mat. Not only will it start to smell, but it's not healthy to touch or to breathe in mildew. Next time, be sure to unroll your yoga mat or rug after you practice to air it out. Either hang it over a door or lay it flat on the floor in a low-traffic area of your home. Plus, the visual reminder of seeing your mat might just inspire you to take off your shoes and hop into Down Dog.