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BANG FOR THE BITE
If 10,000 Biters buy an eco-mat instead of a PVC one, we'll avert the weight of 167 yoginis in nonrecyclable plastic.
COCKTAIL FACT
After incorporating yoga into inmates' routines at Walpole Prison, MA, recidivism ($100 word that means relapse) decreased by 40%.
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home › tip library › Yoga Mats
Are you into yoga just for the healthy image?
The Bite
Stop frontin'. Get a natural yoga mat - one free of the harmful plastic PVC. They're better for you and help avoid the number-one telltale sign that you're a bluffer - slipping during your asanas.The Benefits
- Less PVC. 90% of yoga mats contain PVC plastic, which releases carcinogenic dioxins during production.
- Less slippage. Natural rubber and fibers like jute provide better traction than plastic.
- Staying true to yoga. The yogic pillar of ahimsa calls for nonviolence to all things, including the planet.
- Easy care. Depending on the material, you can clean natural mats with a cloth, in the bathtub, or even in the washing machine.
Personally Speaking
If you ever stop by our SF office, don't be surprised if you find us doing headstands next to the reception desk.Wanna Try?
- Dali Mama Eco Jute Mat - has built-in Velcro closures and a shoulder strap for easy toting; six color options ($78).
- Jade Harmony Yoga Mat - biodegradable, no-slip natural rubber mat available in eight colors; the company plants a tree for every mat sold ($50).
- JustMyMat - more like old-school PVC mats but made from eco-friendlier TPE foam; you choose the color and a personal message ($41).
- 50 Ways to Reuse Your Yoga Mat - bright ideas like using your old mat for sound-proofing, or to create ornaments and mouse pads.
Dec 18,2007
Sponsor
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Yoga Mat Love – the Naughty and the Nice
When we wrote our first yoga mat tip in mid-2005, I felt a little like a fraud, since I had JUST swapped out my trusty old PVC mat for a jute eco version. Fact was, my old, off-gassing mat was like a security blanket - an old friend that had taken me through my yoga life for years and years, seeing me through hatha in LA, ashtanga in London and vinyasa teacher training in NYC. Truth be told, I was loathe to give it up. (Complete truth be told, I still have it, and use it for my home practice on occasion. It just gives off good vibes alongside the carcinogenic gases.)
I didn't love the new jute mat in the same way, and in a fit of largess, ended up leaving it at a villa in Bellagio, Italy last year, figuring it would give good yoga karma to hapless travelers to Lake Como. (Isn't that always the case when you replace something you worshipped with a new version? The replacement stands no chance.) However, yoga mat #3 has since fared much better in my esteem. I lovelovelove the Jade Harmony rubber mats. A little heavy, but VERY sticky, and I feel like my current blue baddie is gonna last me for ages.
I'm still not sure I'll ever love it as much as my ripped up, worn out, PVC-laden original, though. It's just like childhood love drama and the occasional initial drag on a cigarette when a little tipsy...not at all healthy, but sure as hell feels good.
-Heather... off to do a little down dog...
I didn't love the new jute mat in the same way, and in a fit of largess, ended up leaving it at a villa in Bellagio, Italy last year, figuring it would give good yoga karma to hapless travelers to Lake Como. (Isn't that always the case when you replace something you worshipped with a new version? The replacement stands no chance.) However, yoga mat #3 has since fared much better in my esteem. I lovelovelove the Jade Harmony rubber mats. A little heavy, but VERY sticky, and I feel like my current blue baddie is gonna last me for ages.
I'm still not sure I'll ever love it as much as my ripped up, worn out, PVC-laden original, though. It's just like childhood love drama and the occasional initial drag on a cigarette when a little tipsy...not at all healthy, but sure as hell feels good.
-Heather... off to do a little down dog...
Biter Comments...
Where did you purchase your non-PVC mat?
Who can afford a $40 yoga mat?!
There is also a new company, Natural Fitness, that is totally devoted to eco-friendly practices that makes an amazing double-colored natural rubber yoga mat. The great thing about these mats are that they are strictly tested to make sure that there aren't any toxins. Natural Fitness also plants a tree for EVERY product purchased, has a solar-powered website and uses 100% recycled packaging. Check them out at www.naturalfitnessinc.com.
ahh the yoga mat story. I went for the jute mat to appease my eco heart but found that i left a bit of a mess everytime i used it. pieces of rubber would be all over myself and all over the floor (which my yoga teacher so nicely alerted me to...) I invested in the Harmony mat and I can say that I will never look back. it maintains its shape (not curling up at the end as the other one) and holds you extremely well in your pressured positions. Although pricey, it was well worth it - I love it!
Very helpful, ecoanna. Thank you for this post. I have similar issues with my jute mat. I will looking into the Harmony version and donate the old one. Cheers.
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PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Cinder | December 18, 2007 at 09:01 AM