How to Do Yoga if You Have Sweaty Palms and Feet

Do you feel that having sweaty hands or sweaty feet frustrates your yoga practice, as you end up slipping on your mat in every Downward Facing Dog? Fear not. We found the best ways to do yoga if you have sweaty hands or sweaty feet, because hey, real people sweat! And there are many smart yogis who develop great tools to help combat such.

Why do we get sweaty hands or feet?

(Image via @msjenniferherrera)

The medical term for sweaty palms or feet is Palmar Hyperhidrosis and is the most common form of hyperhidrosis for those suffering from excessive sweating. Excessive hand sweating is a clinical medical condition affecting around 2-3% of the world's population. Everyone sweats, but for the 2% to 3% who have hyperhidrosis, the sweat glands don't shut off. They sweat even when it doesn't seem necessary or possible, i.e. when it's cool with the air-con on, or while watching TV. Some people have even claimed to sweat in a swimming pool.

What can I do about my sweaty hands/sweaty feet?

(Image via @yog.aloha)

For people with a severe case of the "sweaty betties" (can't-get-on-with-everyday-life, severe), there are some pretty invasive things you can do about sweaty palms and feet. These therapies include botox therapy where they inject the botox chemical directly into your hands or feet, oral medication or even an operation. For those of us who just have an annoying case of the sweats whenever we're anxious or need to stay in place on the yoga mat, there are some less intrusive solutions.

Yoga for Sweaty Palms and Feet

If after slipping off your mat one too many times due to your sweaty hands or feet you've thought about giving up yoga, we urge you not to. There are a lot of things you can do to make sure that nothing gets in the way of your yogic bliss.

Yoga Towels and Yoga Towel Mats

1. Non-Slip Yoga Towel Mat with Bag, 63 x 180cm - £6.94

This cheap and cheerful yoga mat towel has rubber grip dots aimed at keeping you in place. It's available in four colours.

2. All-in-1 Sports & Yoga Towel - £17.99

This towel is 100% microfiber, claims it's super absorbent, non-slip light, quick-dry, eco-friendly and promises no-slipping in hot Yoga classes.

3. YogaAddict Yoga Mat Towel and Hand Towel Combo Set - £20

In this deal you get two yoga towels, a mat towel and a hand towel. They are both super absorbent 100% microfiber and non-slip and you can get them both for £20 on Amazon.

Best Yoga Mat For Sweaty Hands and Feet

1. Grip Sticky Yoga Mat - £14.95

This mat promises a non-slip surface with instant grip and a soft 4.5mm cushion and you can get it for £14.95 from Amazon.

2. Yoga-Mad Sure Grip Latex Yoga Mat - 4mm thick - £38.50

The SureGrip Yoga mat is made from natural Latex and offers super grip in all conditions, whilst also being soft to touch. It's thin too at only 2mm thick which makes it an ideal travel yoga mat.

3. The Combo Yoga Mat - £56

This luxurious, non-slip yoga mat is designed to grip the more you sweat, which is a sweaty-palm owner's dream! It's eco-friendly, reversible, and machine washable.

Yoga Gloves For Sweaty Hands

1. Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves - £4.29

These grippy gloves are 75% Cotton, 22% polyester and 3% spandex and their non-slip palm promises superior grip on slick surfaces.

2. Gaiam Super Grippy Yoga Gloves - £9.99

All-grip, no-slip with these yoga gloves that allow you to safely do yoga, even without a yoga mat. They come in black with pink dots.

3. ToeSox Grip Gloves - £12

These gloves from ToeSox have a terry cloth thumb for extra perspiration absorption. Get them for £12 from Amazon.

Yoga Socks For Sweaty Feet

1. Malloom® 5-Toe Exercise Yoga Non-Slip Toe Socks With Full Grip - £2

These socks claim to "keep your toes happy as they flex, point, dance, and spread along the floor, mat and equipment". They're super cheap too at only £2.

2. Adidas Yoga Socks - £7.99

These grey Adidas yoga socks were specifically created for yoga to provide additional traction.

3. Toe Sox Bella Socks - £13.99

These fuchsia open front yoga socks with an arch support band are made from organic cotton which is machine washable.

Yoga Grip Liquid Chalk

Also known as liquid chalk, this stuff can do wonders to make sure you stay in place, even with sweat coming out of your hands and feet. It might get a bit messy, but we're yogis and don't really care what we look like, as long as we're having a good time! Here are three to choose from.

1. Liquid Chalk - 250ml £3.27

Liquid chalk was invented for climbers but is equally good to combat slipping in yoga as it inhibits sweating from hands and feet adding grip.

2. MyProtein Liquid Chalk - 250ml - £6.59

This liquid chalk claims to dramatically reduce sweating improving your grip and is a preferred go-to for weight-lifters who need that extra grip when lifting all those kgs.