The way to Discover a Non Poisonous Yoga Mat + Prime 7 Most Eco-Pleasant Yoga Mats

You understand that chemical odor of recent mat straight out of the field? That may’t be good to your deep pranayama respiration. However are there truly toxins in your yoga mat that would hurt your well being?

Sadly, sure.

Yoga is an earthy, religious follow rooted in historical Hindu and Buddhist traditions. However most individuals who follow yoga can be shocked to know simply what number of toxins and carcinogens (sure, cancer-causing chemical compounds) are hidden in trendy yoga mats.

Alternatively, some yoga mats usually are not essentially poisonous, however they’re horrible for the surroundings. Polyurethane, foam, and plastic will probably be round eternally and are troublesome to recycle or reuse. One thing has received to provide!

Fortunately, as individuals are changing into extra eco-conscious, there’s a rising abundance of environmentally pleasant and non poisonous yoga mats. A lot of them are fairly reasonably priced and much more purposeful than commonplace toxin-laden mats.

This grasp information consists of our favourite non-toxic yoga mat manufacturers, the place to seek out them, and the right way to choose one of the best eco pleasant yoga mat to your follow.

In any case, in the event you’re going to be practising on a mat daily, you need to ensure that it’s protected to your well being.

Fast Picks: 7 Most Eco Pleasant Yoga Mats

1. Prime Choose: Brentwood Residence Natural Yoga Mat
2. Finest Cork Yoga Mat: Gurus Roots Cork Yoga Mat
3. Finest Latex Free Possibility: Dwell Nicely 360 Natural Cotton Yoga Mat
4. Finest Pure Rubber Yoga Mat: JADE YOGA Concord Yoga Mat
5. Finest Pure Jute Mat: Ajna Pure Jute Yoga Mat
6. Finest Biodegradable Mat: Manduka eKo Yoga Mat
7. Funds Choose: Gaiam Cork Yoga Mat

The Finest Eco-Pleasant Yoga Mats, In contrast

Are some yoga mats poisonous?

Most yoga mats are made out of artificial rubber or plastics, that are predominately petroleum byproducts. They are often handled with a spread of poisonous chemical compounds similar to VOCs, PVC, phthalates, synthetic dyes, adhesives, flame retardants, antimicrobials, and heavy metals.

VOCs, or Risky Natural Compounds in Yoga Mats

VOCs, or risky natural compounds, are breathable gases that may trigger detrimental well being impacts like complications, nausea, allergic reactions, mind and neurological points, liver harm, and even fertility points.

VOCs are present in furnishings, paint, carpet, and sure, yoga mats. Analysis reveals that indoor VOC concentrations will be as much as 10 occasions greater than outdoor, that means this pollutant could possibly be filling your yoga studio or house yoga room with out you even understanding it.

In yoga mats particularly, VOCs are mostly laced into the antimicrobials, anti-static remedies, adhesives, coloured dyes, and organophosphate flame retardants. They off-gas constantly all through the lifetime of the mat and will turn into much more problematic in scorching yoga settings.

To make issues worse, VOCs are a greenhouse gasoline that contributes to local weather change and harms the surroundings. If this appears like a significant disruption to your pranayama respiration, it’s!

Backside Line: Select licensed VOC-free or low-VOC yoga mats by making certain your mat is made out of pure supplies.

The Drawback with PVC in Yoga Mats

Whereas VOC’s could also be infused into a spread of supplies, the core composition of many yoga mats is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This materials is sturdy, light-weight, and straightforward to govern in a manufacturing facility setting to make every thing from yoga mats to flooring. However PVC incorporates a recognized carcinogen referred to as vinyl chloride that we’re immediately uncovered to when practising yoga on an artificial mat.

PVC is usually marketed as artificial latex. Some PVC mats are manufactured with lead, cadmium, chlorine, mercury, and different heavy metals. Principally, it takes numerous chemical compounds to create a flexible, rollable mat out of inflexible PVC.

Backside line: PVC is a carcinogen. If you wish to go the non-toxic route, keep away from PVC yoga mats in any respect prices.

Phthalates, Hormone Disruption, and Scorching Yoga Risks

There’s a stunning hazard to scorching yoga class that most individuals don’t pay any consideration to. It’s not the temperature, the intense flexibility, or the heavy breathing- it’s the potential cancer-causing chemical compounds leaching out from yoga mats beneath excessive warmth circumstances.

Phthalates are utilized in yoga mats to make them extra pliable. They’re linked to hormonal disruption, bronchial asthma, delivery defects, and a spread of different well being issues). And beneath heat circumstances, they have an inclination to leach out, cling to mud particles, and get inhaled. Whereas these plasticizers could make for an additional versatile, gentle, and sticky yoga mat, they’re positively not price doubtlessly harming your well being.

Many mats are marketed as “phthalate free”, however there’s nonetheless one other caveat. They could possibly be sneaking in one other lesser recognized plasticizer that could possibly be equally dangerous.

Backside line: Keep away from artificial supplies (PVC, TPE, artificial rubber, and many others.) which might be mostly laced with phthalates. Take note of greenwashing. Phthalate-free a greater possibility, however doesn’t essentially imply the model is protected. And in the event you follow scorching yoga or Bikram, be additional conscious of what’s in your yoga mat.

Polyester is Non-Poisonous however Environmentally Damaging

Just lately, polyester has turn into a extra common different to PVC in yoga mats as a result of it’s safer for human well being. Whereas that is in all probability true, the issue with polyester is its energy-intensive manufacturing that generates giant quantities of air pollution. Making polyester releases vital quantities of carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane into the environment. It might additionally trigger runoff of acids, iron, and ammonia into close by waterways.

Backside Line: Polyester could also be a greater possibility to your well being, however it’s not environmentally pleasant.

Keep away from the ‘Yoga Mat Chemical’, azodicarbonamide

Azodicarbonamide, or ADA, is a controversial chemical foaming agent that has been utilized in yoga mats to create that spongy, supportive texture. After being coined the “yoga mat chemical”, investigative journalism from the Environmental Working Group additionally uncovered that ADA is used as a meals additive in over 500 meals merchandise with little or no security oversight from the FDA.

In yoga mats and different family merchandise, ADA is mostly blended with PVC, rubber, and polymer plastics to create tiny gasoline bubbles that create that malleable, light-weight really feel. However when it’s heated (in a scorching yoga class for instance), azodicarbonamide releases carcinogens like ethyl carbamate and immunosuppressing chemical compounds.

The World Well being Group has discovered that ADA is linked to bronchial asthma, respiratory points, and irritation.

Backside Line: Most artificial yoga mats are in danger for holding ADA. Whereas it’s within the means of being banned in meals merchandise, it may possibly nonetheless be imported in non-edible merchandise. Keep away from it by selecting pure supplies.

Are Lululemon mats non poisonous?

Whereas we love Lululemon’s unbelievable leggings and athleisure put on, their yoga mats have some questionable supplies. Their basic “The Matt 5mm” is product of 55% Pure rubber, 23% Artificial rubber, 15% Polyurethane, 5% Polyester, and a couple of% Nylon.

Right here’s a security breakdown of these supplies:

• Pure rubber: Over half of Lulu’s mat composition is FSC licensed pure rubber, which is sustainable and comes from pure rubber timber (although it does comprise latex). So no less than half of this mat is non poisonous and eco pleasant.
• Artificial rubber: Synthetic elastomer synthesized from petrochemicals byproducts, could comprise carcinogens like 1,3-butadiene and styrene.
• Polyurethane: There may be some controversy within the trade about whether or not polyurethane is protected or not, however we do know that it incorporates possible carcinogens referred to as isocyanates. Foam manufacturing can also be very polluting and may pose some lung most cancers danger to staff.
• Polyester: Non-toxic however environmentally dangerous to provide.
• Nylon: Non-toxic however energy-intensive to provide.

Backside Line: Lululemon yoga mats usually are not probably the most poisonous on the market, however they’re not totally non-toxic both. You should buy a way more eco pleasant yoga mats just like the Brentwood Residence Natural Yoga Mat at an analogous value level.

Is Manduka yoga mat non poisonous?

Manduka yoga mats are made with PVC however apparently examined for dangerous substances. The PRO Collection is licensed STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®️ (12.HUS.17706 | Hohenstein HTTI), that means they’re purportedly sustainable and semi non-toxic. These mats are 100% latex free and artificial, that means they don’t seem to be made out of pure supplies. Sadly we don’t have a precise breakdown of what’s inside them.

Nonetheless, Manduka does will get sustainability factors for his or her new mat recycling program, Dwell On, which helps you to recycle your outdated mat for simply $10 with any new mat buy.

Backside Line: Manduka in all probability presents probably the most sustainable PVC yoga mat you’ll find. It’s licensed and third get together examined for toxins. However the supplies usually are not pure.

Finest 7 Eco Pleasant Yoga Mats

Sustainable yoga mats don’t have to interrupt the financial institution. Our high picks are all in related value factors to the preferred yoga manufacturers, however they’re fully protected to your well being and the surroundings.

This is among the solely 100% GOTS (World Natural Textile Normal) licensed natural cotton yoga mats with a 100% FSC-certified pure rubber latex base. Natural yoga mats are made with supplies sourced immediately from nature and grown with none pesticides or artificial chemical compounds.

That is the ultra-sustainable yoga mat of our goals. It’s fully non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable if you’re accomplished with it. There aren’t any hidden supplies: simply natural cotton on the highest and pure rubber from timber on the underside.

The mat is cushiony, non-slip, and tremendous comfy on tender joints. The latex decrease portion stays nonetheless and grips the ground whereas including additional assist to your asanas. The higher cotton texture wicks away moisture and is tremendous simple to throw within the washer after a sweaty scorching yoga class.

Plus, it’s licensed Local weather Impartial and Licensed Vegan!

Finest Cork Yoga Mat:

GURUS Sweat Proof Sturdy Cork Yoga Mat 5mm Thick Non Slip Train Mat for Residence Exercise

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Of all of the cork yoga mats in the marketplace, Gurus stands out for his or her eco friendliness, versatility, and stability. The model is devoted to chemical free merchandise and is partnered with Timber for the Future to make sure they offer again. The cork and rubber are each ethically sourced and fully free from any of the carcinogens in typical poisonous yoga mats. Pure cork comes from the cambium (outer bark) of cork oak timber, that means they don’t should be minimize right down to constantly yield sustainable cork.

The mat itself is loopy versatile, with a naturally antimicrobial cork higher and a 100% pure rubber decrease layer. Either side can be utilized and simply wiped down.

At 5mm, the density is extremely comfy in your joints and rivals all the highest opponents. It’s non-slip and nice for Bikram in addition to basic Vinyasa or Hatha lessons. The cork truly will get extra grippy when it will get moist, so that you don’t have to fret about sweating buckets on this mat.

Finest Latex Free Possibility:

Dwell Nicely 360 Handmade Natural Cotton Yoga Mat Pure Yoga Mat – Train, Exercise, & Health Rug…

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Whether or not you’re allergic to artificial latex or pure rubber, this latex-free possibility is allergy-friendly and gentle in your pores and skin. The Dwell Nicely mat is basically a 100% cotton rug that’s designed particularly for yoga.

It’s 78″ x 27″ in measurement and 4mm thick. At simply 2 kilos, it’s tremendous light-weight and moveable. The fabric itself takes a little bit of getting used to after utilizing a daily yoga mat, however it is vitally comfy and non-slip

Lengthy earlier than artificial yoga mats, rugs have been the go-to for historical yogis. These are so much like the standard Mysore yoga mats utilized in India by Ashtanga practitioners.

A word on pure rubber latex:

I personally have struggled my complete life with an intense latex allergy (like throat closing, bronchial asthma assault, full physique rash, rush to the hospital kind of allergy). Nonetheless, I finally found that I solely had that response to artificial latex in balloons, gloves, and sure, poisonous yoga mats (that wasn’t a enjoyable a yoga class…) 

After I experimented with pure rubber latex (with an EpiPen readily available), I found that I wasn’t allergic in any respect. In actual fact, I now sleep on an natural latex mattress and use an natural latex yoga mat. My anecdotal expertise tells me that I could also be allergic to all these nasty chemical compounds in artificial rubber, and not the latex from pure rubber timber.

*This isn’t medical recommendation. Seek the advice of together with your physician when you have a rubber or latex allergy.

Finest Pure Rubber Yoga Mat:

JADE YOGA – Concord Yoga Mat (3/16″ Thick x 24″ Large x 74″ Lengthy – Coloration: Olive Inexperienced)

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JADE YOGA was the primary within the yoga trade to return out with fully pure rubber yoga mats. This mat is made with 100% pure tree rubber and free of poisons or synthetics. It has nice grip and stability for each pose.

All Jade merchandise are made within the USA and time-tested by model devotees for many years. These mats final eternally and really feel so good in your joints.

We additionally love the eco pleasant mission of this model. With Timber for the Future, Jade Yoga crops a tree for each product bought.

Finest Pure Jute Mat:

Ajna Natural Yoga Mat – Pure Jute Yoga Mats – Massive Non Slip Eco Pleasant Yoga Mats with Carrying…

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In contrast to cork yoga mats, jute fibers (also referred to as golden fiber) received’t flake or crack over time. This pure jute fiber mat is extremely sustainable, 100% pure, and naturally non-slip. It’s made to repel sweat and soak up shock so that you’ve got loads of traction and luxury with out risking publicity to dangerous toxins.

This Australian woman-owned model has a powerful ethos and a dedication to giving again by planting timber for every mat bought. They be sure that all of their mats are free from latex, phthalates, heavy metals, and different toxins. Plus, their mats are stunning and embody a 100% cotton carrying strap.

Finest Biodegradable Mat:

Manduka eKO Yoga Mat -Premium 5mm Thick Journey Mat, Eco Pleasant, Pure Tree Rubber, Superior…

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Relating to eco pleasant yoga mats, we’re glad that large manufacturers like Manduka have lastly jumped on the bandwagon. Although a few of their different merchandise comprise recognized toxins, this specific mat is remarkably chemical-free and beneficial by yoga academics around the globe.

It’s made with 100% pure tree rubber and free of poisonous foaming, brokers, azodicarbonamide, PVC, and dangerous plasticizers. It’s 5mm thick for superior joint cushioning, making it nice for any kind of yoga session. It has a rippled floor for added traction. We additionally love that this mat is really easy to wash with a fast wipe down.

Remember that this mat does have a reasonably sturdy odor out of the field, but it surely isn’t that nasty chemical odor from typical mats. The pungent odor comes from the pure tree rubber and dissipates over time. Cleansing with a diluted apple cider vinegar answer might help eliminate it.

Funds Choose:

Gaiam Cork Yoga Mat | Pure, sustainable cork print design stops odors | Non-toxic TPE Rubber…

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At beneath $40, you actually can’t beat Gaiam’s cork yoga mat possibility. Though this mat has a TPE rubber backing, we nonetheless love pure cork higher. It has spectacular traction and will get even softer when damp in scorching rooms.

This cork mat is fairly dang sustainable, however its toxin degree is unclear. The cork itself is produced from sustainably managed cork timber, however the TPE rubber backside might have hidden chemical compounds. Nonetheless, it’s tremendous reasonably priced, non-slip, cushiony, and retains funky smells out.

FAQs

Key Takeaways: The way to Discover

Your yoga follow is all about therapeutic your physique and thoughts by way of aware motion. However typical yoga gear could have you ever inhaling poisonous chemical compounds within the course of.

If you wish to reduce your publicity to VOCs and carcinogens whereas decreasing your carbon footprint, go for an eco pleasant non poisonous yoga mat. Eco pleasant supplies like cork, jute, pure tree rubber, and natural fibers are higher for the planet and your well being in comparison with a PVC mat or a normal yoga mat.

Have you ever tried any of those mats? Tell us what you thought!

Namaste!