Yoga mat with support and traction

A grip apparatus comprising:

• a first layer formed of a compressible first material, wherein the first layer comprises at least an upper surface with one or more first portions and one or more second portions;
• at least one opening formed through the first layer;
• and
• at least one column of a second material disposed at least one of in and proximate to the at least one opening from below the first layer,
• wherein
• the at least one column is adapted to provide at least one of support in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first layer and increased traction in a direction tangential to the first layer's upper surface when the first layer's upper surface is adapted to be compressed to a depressed configuration below a top surface of the at least one column in response to a threshold pressure within the one or more first portions.

A mat comprising:

• a first layer formed of a first material, said first layer including a multiple of through openings;
• an elastomeric grip component including a multiple of columns, each of said multiple of columns at least partially extend into one of the multiple of through opening from a bottom surface of said first layer, and a flange that extends between at least two of said multiple of columns, said flange disposed under said first layer;
• and
• a bottom layer attached to said first layer to at least partially encapsulate said flange.