Don't get me wrong - practicing yoga is great, and I really enjoy my Thursday night classes. But, as it turns out, yoga mats can put you through real health issues, because gyms, fitness and yoga studios have a not-so-strict policy about cleaning their yoga mats.

As NY Times reports:

"Research has not confirmed the link between unclean yoga mats and fungal, bacterial and viral infections better known as jock itch, plantar warts and staph infections. Nor can dermatologists and podiatrists conclusively trace these ailments to dirty yoga mats.

Still, some are making unofficial connections. A handful of dermatologists and podiatrists say that in the last two years or so they have noticed a rise in the number of skin infections in their patients who practice yoga and use public mats."

Reading on you will find surprising and even disgusting information that some gyms wash their yoga mats only twice a year. Yuk!

So, be smart about it - feet infections are unpleasant to say least. Get yourself your own mat, and wash it as often as you need.