http://www.learnhowtodoyoga.com/bikram-yoga/hot-yoga-bikram-yoga-poses Besides the Bikram yoga mat, there are only a few things that are needed for an individual to get the most out of the Bikram yoga poses. Despite needing a certain amount of padding, a Bikram yoga mat should not be too thick either, since other Bikram yoga poses are balancing poses which a mat that is too squishy can cause the individual to lose his or her balance.