Eco-friendly yoga mats are good not only for the planet, but also for their users. Eco-friendly yoga mats should only be made from natural ingredients and materials that come straight from the earth, never any chemicals. When shopping for this type of yoga mat, willing to there is a wide selection to choose from. The amount of money you are looking at spending will determine the mats you can select; the price ranges definitely vary.
Mats Made from Rubber Trees
One type of eco-friendly yoga mat that can be purchased is a rubber mat. These rubber mats are made of rubber derived from trees, which makes them one of the best choices for eco-friendly yoga mats.
However, there is a downside to using a rubber mat. Those who purchase this type of mat will detect an odor coming from the rubber; this odor tends to linger on the mat for awhile before going away. And since rubber mats are biodegradable, they will break down at a quick rate when being exposed to the sun for extended periods.
Anyone who attends outdoor classes or frequently leaves their mat in a hot car all day should choose from other eco-friendly yoga mats. Otherwise, this mat will not last very long and need to be replaced more often.
Mats Made from Natural Cotton
The next environmentally friendly yoga mat option a mat made from all-natural cotton. The cotton choice is usually best one for those who work out hard on a daily basis. The cotton in the mat will soak up a large amount of moisture, which is beneficial when practicing yoga. Another aspect that makes cotton mats ideal is that you will not have to worry about distracting and off-putting odors coming from the material.
All-natural cotton, eco-friendly yoga mats are manufactured in a number of different sizes as well as a wide array of thicknesses. These aspects are perfect for people who enjoy the comfort of extra padding in their yoga mat and others who prefer a firmer surface.
There is also a downside to the purchase of the cotton yoga mat. All mat users should be careful when using cotton mats on hardwood or tile surfaces. The cotton is not a sticky material and therefore, it can easily slip on floor surfaces that have no traction. Take the proper precautions when using this mat.
Mats Made from PVC
The only mat that you want to avoid when choosing eco-friendly yoga mats is one that is created from PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride. This sort of yoga mat is extremely dangerous for the planet and can cause a number of health problems in animals. Lab animals that are exposed to PVC in scientific settings are reported to have a high number of health problems; therefore, it is advised that most people should avoid PVC mats. Even though PVC has been proven to be harmful to people and the planet, some manufacturers still utilize this material and consumers are still buying products made with it because PVC yoga mats are generally the cheapest to buy.