Organic Yoga Mats 

Yogis everywhere are becoming more conscious of their environmental footprint, as well as the harmful effects that toxins and chemicals have on their bodies.

 

There are so many yoga mats out there that claim to be green, eco-friendly, and safer. Still, they are not completely toxic-free, because made with petroleum materials.

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  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride),  

  • TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)

  • PER (Polymer Environmental Resin).

  • Phthalate-free

  • Silicone-free

Conventional Yoga Mats

❌PVC Yoga Mat: the majority of yoga mats on the market are made with PVC,  polyvinyl chloride, or “vinyl” that is #3 plastic resin code. They are made from petroleum, they contain heavy metals, paraffin wax, plasticizers, and phthalates. Vinyl chloride – the main ingredient in PVC – is a human carcinogen. PVC is not biodegradable.  Exposure comes form inhalation and skin contact.

❌ Conventional Cotton Yoga Mat: they are made with cotton grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides and hence aren’t a good choice for yogis who are concerned about their health, safety, and impact on the environment. Conventional cotton yoga mats often have many added chemical treatments during the production process as well.

Brand: Yogasana cotton natural yoga mat

Greenwashing Yoga Mats

Even if they claim phthalate-free, lead-free, BPA-free, or 6P-free: Free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP phthalates, they could still contain PVC. Yoga mat brands should label their products with accurate, clear information about composition. “Environmentally friendly” claims should not be attached to PVC. 

 

❌ PU Yoga Mat: PU leather, or polyurethane leather, is an artificial leather made of thermoplastic polymer. Brands: Gaiam yoga mats and Alo Yoga Mat

❌ TPE Yoga Mat: This PVC-free alternative is greenwashing.  Thermoplastic elastomers TPE is a blend of undisclosed synthetic materials that have not been proven safe: a mix of polymers, such as rubber and plastic.  TPE is not biodegradable. 

❌ PER Yoga Mat: Made of PVC plus other unspecified additives. Brands: Gaiam yoga mats

  • Yoga mats labeled PER, Polymer Environmental Resin, were made of PVC (vinyl), a material that is harmful to our environment, particularly during production and disposal. 
  •  It can biodegrade, however, biodegradable plastics are also under the same category of plastics that break down into extremely small particles that aren’t organic, but in fact small pieces of plastic…. Creating plastic that’s impossible to clean up, polluting the soil and water. 
  • The apparent manufacturer of PER, Lan Song Industrial LLC, makes a number of claims about the material.

❌ Synthetic rubber: made of petroleum-based materials including 1,3-butadiene, a human carcinogen.

Better Yoga Mats 

Natural rubber: Even though it is safer than synthetic rubber, Natural rubber still smells of chemicals.

Even though they are made from rubber trees, they are involved in vulcanizing agents and chemical additives, during the manufacturing process. Those agents and additives are unknown.

Natural rubber also contains nitrosamines. Two natural rubber yoga mats contained carcinogenic nitrosamines according to In 2015 German magazine published a test.  

Brands: Jade’s sustainable yoga mats contain both natural and man-made components, and the precise components are proprietary. 

 

Bamboo Yoga Mats: It isn’t a natural or chemical-free yoga mat. To transform hard bamboo lumber (we love bamboo plants for making furniture, etc..) into a soft pulpy fiber, many acids and chemicals are used. The FDA has ruled that a manufacturer cannot use bamboo fiber as a label; instead, they are required to label such products as “manmade rayon fiber from the bamboo plant.” Just as white sugar bears very little resemblance to the sugar cane plant, so does the so-called bamboo yoga mat bear any resemblance to the bamboo plant.

 

​If you already own a PVC, TPE, PER  yoga mat, or chemical-treated cotton yoga mat replace them with a safer option.

Here is what you want to look for: a yoga mat made with truly natural materials yoga, latex-free, phthalate-free, silicone-free, and toxin-free.  

Best Options Yoga Mats 

Here you will find the most natural, non-toxic, sustainable, and eco-friendly yoga mats. on the market!

Made with No chemicals, GMO, pesticides, formaldehyde, synthetics, and dioxin. Synthetic rubber-free, PVC. Latex-Free.  6P Free: Free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP phthalates.

Only approved organic yoga mats that meet my criteria: made from 100% natural fiber materials, such as organic cotton, natural cork, and natural rubber. 

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💚Organic Cotton Yoga Mat: When it comes to your yoga practice, go sustainable. Although a few premium mats may use organic cotton, on this page you will find the only GOTS-certified organic mats brand on the market. Made entirely from organic cotton and natural latex.

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💚 Natural Cork Yoga Mat:  All-natural, non-toxic, cork is eco-friendly, lightweight, and durable. Cork is anti-microbial, so there is no need to worry about germs, mold, or mildew forming and no need to clean regularly, the cork sanitizes itself naturally. The closed-cell construction seals out germs, odor, and bacteria, making it the ideal surface for your yoga practice.  This yoga mat is sustainable, biodegradable, and sturdy. The brand listed below uses Cork made from the bark of oak trees grown in Portugal that lives up to 300 years!  Importantly, it is sustainably re-harvested from the same tree every 9 years.

 

💚Jute Yoga Mats: They have been in use in India side by side with cotton and hemp yoga mats. When made naturally, jute yoga mats are safe to use. About jute: Jute is a natural vegetable plant that takes only 45 months to grow to maturity, making it a sustainable resource. Jute cleans the air by consuming carbon dioxide, and the leaves are a natural soil conditioner. It’s clearly a smart and naturally beautiful choice for a cleaner and safer environment. Hemp and organic cotton absorb moisture better than jute, which has a natural sheen on them, so many people prefer organic cotton and hemp yoga mats for a less slippery, more pleasant yoga practice. Many Conventional or greenwashing Jute Yoga Mats are mixed with less natural materials.

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Sustainable Gym Equipment 

Since we are all working out more at home we are more in control of the equipment we are choosing to use. For a better working out environment whether it is at home or in the gym, with products that we know how they are made of!

For the Best Organic and Eco-Friendly Home Gym equipment for a non-toxic workout environment and Organic home gym ✅ without the California Proposition 65 warning check these pages:

 

 

 

On this page, I listed the most eco-friendly yoga mats on the market!

 

The number one certified Organic Yoga Mat recommendations are:

 

YOGA Mats seals logo

yoga block yoga gloves yoga socks yoga mat yoga candles

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