With the variety of eco friendly yoga mats available, picking the right one suddenly becomes a dilemma.
Back then, the choice was much simpler — there were only PVC mats and you can only choose between violet and blue. Of course, that’s not to say, the plastics were better. It’s a good thing yoga mats have evolved to become eco yoga mats that are kinder to our health and our environment.
They’ve become more stylish too with a variety of colors, designs and patterns to choose from to reflect your personality or suit your every mood.
Since earth friendly yoga mats are pricier than plastic, it’s best to weigh your options before you make a purchase. Consider it an investment for your body and the environment.
While there are no set rules to choosing a yoga mat, there are some key features you may want to keep in mind before buying one. On top of being environment friendly, you’d want to have a yoga mat that efficiently supports you and keeps you balanced during your practice. You may also want to consider the mat’s portability as well as durability.
What you need in a yoga mat will depend on what kind of yoga you practice, the kind of lifestyle you lead, and your personal sensitivities. Needless to say, it also depends on how much money you want to invest in a mat.
Here are a few basic features to consider when buying an eco friendly yoga mat:
Cushion. This depends on your preference for either comfort or connection. A thick yoga mat will be kind to your bones and joints but may lessen that feeling of connection to the ground. On the other hand, a thin yoga mat will make you feel connected to the ground but it might not be enough to cushion the impact of the ground to your bones.
Eco friendly yoga mats range from thick at 1/8 inch to thickest at 1/4 inch. Assess how much cushion and comfort your body needs especially during difficult poses. Due to added cushion, expect thicker yoga mats to be heavier than standard mats, which isn’t so bad if you think of it as an instant lifting workout for your arm. Otherwise, if you travel a lot or you’ve got small storage space, there are thinner yoga mats that are more portable and easier to store.
Stickiness. Shifting from one pose to another can be challenging, add to that the sweating and you’ve got a potentially slippery situation. Having a sticky yoga mat will help you maintain your balance and keep you from slipping. Though PVC mats are known to be very sticky, there are eco friendly yoga mats that are just as sticky. Some mats even have raised textures that help improve traction between the mat and your body.
Durability. Since eco yoga mats are made of natural materials, they will definitely disintegrate faster than PVC mats. But with proper care, they can last long enough for you to get your money’s worth. At least you can rest easy that when you throw away your mats, they won’t be clogging any landfills and they will disintegrate completely.
Smell. Eco friendly yoga mats are known to be very smelly, but you can be assured that the smell will do no harm to your body.. Some mats turn fragrance free after the break in period while some need initial cleaning with a yoga mat cleanser and a bit of airing to get rid of the rubbery scent.
Price. Eco yoga mats are pricier than typical PVC mats with the low end ones tagged at $50 and high end ones at $100 or more. Depending on your budget, find a balance between practicality and function. A really cheap yoga mat might disintegrate too easily causing you to purchase replacements more frequently (which is still not being eco friendly). Expensive yoga mats are expected to be of the highest quality but they might be too impractical especially if you’re short on money.
Just like everything else, choosing the right eco yoga mat is an emotional decision. Choose the one that feels right to you, a mat you feel like you’ll enjoy practicing on regularly.
However, remember to exercise some practicality. There are mid-range eco friendly yoga mats that may meet your needs while also giving you value for money.
In the end, what matters is you practice yoga in total ahimsa – a way that’s kind to the earth and healthy for your body.