A yogis time on the mat is the beginning of a journey to protect and promote the health and well-being of your body and mind. With this awareness one hopes it finds reflection in the external world.So what is it that we practice on?
Yoga mats are a major accessory in the practice of yoga, and with the ever increasing trendiness of yoga, it means millions of mats will eventually end up at the rubbish tip.
Practicing on a shiny plastic mat cheaply made and environmentally damaging is probably not going to rest well with many yogis. Below is an overview of the different materials used in the majority of yoga mats, and some information about teach.
TPE
TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer ) mats contains no latex, PVC or rubber, and uses no toxic materials in their production. The patterned surface provides excellent traction. TPE yoga mat features a closed cell construction that prevents absorption of fluids, making it easy to keep clean.
NBR
NBR (Nitrile/Buna N Rubber) , while not technically a “natural” rubber (ex. latex), is based on an organic Nitrile compound. NBR is more environmentally friendly than other UL/ULC listed buoyant foam products. NBR is free from any toxic materials, and does not contribute to greenhouse emissions.
The low apparent density reduces weight without performance loss. Resistant to most chemicals and petroleum products, our Gaia Yoga Mats won't break down when they become wet.
Jute
Jute plants, which takes only 4-5 months to become fully grown. The fibres are meshed together with phthalate free plastic in order to make it stronger and durable enough to stay with you through all of your practices.
The jute mat’s pure rubber underside grips the floor and the top is a jute fabric/natural rubber mix that provides traction even when you’re sweating bullets
Rubber
Made of open-cell, natural rubber (a renewable resource made from rubber trees and containing no PVC) making this the ideal mat for the yogi concerned about the environment.
Natural rubber is typically much tougher than your average yoga mat, and the non slip surface makes it perfect for higher intensity yoga practices like Ashtanga and Bikram.
People with latex allergies should avoid natural rubber.
Rubber mats should not be left outside in the sun, since natural rubber is very sensitive to direct sunlight - the material can dry out, harden and lose its grip.
Natural rubber always has a "rubber" odor that will diminish over time.
Rubber mats Contain no ozone depleting substances and is biodegradable.
Cotton
Cotton mats are a bit like a doona. A good quality cotton mat will usually comprise of an unbleached natural cotton shell. The shell is then stuffed with pure natural untreated cotton batting.
These mats are not suitable for fast flowing yoga practices, and are not ideal for sweaty high activity yoga.
PVC (plastic)
The main ingredient of cheap yoga mats is polyvinyl chloride (or “PVC,” also known as “vinyl”), an environmental toxin.
Polyvinyl chloride is widely considered to be the most toxic plastic. Vinyl chloride, the base ingredient in PVC, is a known carcinogen, and those who work in PVC plants suffer elevated health risks. Dioxins and other carcinogens are byproducts of its manufacture. When making yoga mats, plasticizers are added to make to make the PVC soft and sticky. The most common additives include lead, cadmium, and a class of chemicals called of phthalates, which disrupt the endocrine system among many other health problems. These additives give off-gas during product use.
PVC itself does not biodegrade, and it remains on the shelf, in the environment, or in the landfill. Sometimes landfills catch on fire, and then the PVC releases dioxin, hydrochloric acid, and other toxins. PVC is extremely difficult to recycle, which is why so little of it is recaptured.
