Hi Karen. My Black Diamond yoga mat arrived via UPS yesterday. It's not a sticky mat, as it doesn't have the tackiness that a sticky mat has. Instead the surface is flat (as opposed to shiny)
rubber with a slight texture. It's going to provide me with alot more traction than I was getting from my LA yoga mat. At 1/4 inch thick, it will provide cushioning, but it's not squishy.
I had a wonderful mat that also happened to be a truck bed liner. I found it at a local Big Lots store several years ago for $30. Originally purchased to line the bed of my Ford Ranger, I usually stored it rolled up indoors. On a whim one day I decided to try it as a yoga mat and it turned out to be a great surface for yoga. I sold my truck, bed liner included, and have been without a decent yoga mat for a year. I did look around for another truck mat, but I couldn't find anything that resembled the one I had. So, I finally broke down and made the big purchase because my yoga practice has really suffered (I get really frustrated when I'm slipping around!) I only wish that I would have made the investment months ago.