Rubber mat
The most common yoga mats today are still made of PVC. The most environmentally friendly are those made of natural rubber or organic cotton, although manufacturers are currently replacing the most polluting elements of PVC, such as heavy metals, with other less polluting ones, thus obtaining a more environmentally friendly PVC. But recently a whole series of materials have emerged that are as good as or better than PVC and offer a more environmentally friendly, if somewhat more expensive, alternative.
Over time and with sweat, a thin layer of dirt accumulates on the yoga mat, making it more slippery. This is why it is necessary to wash the mat frequently and replace it with a new one from time to time.
The price of a mat varies greatly depending on the manufacturer and the material it is made of. Some mats cost just over $7,000 and others cost over $80,000. In general, PVC yoga mats are the cheapest and natural rubber yoga mats are the most expensive. There is a world of difference between mediums, we recommend you always choose the most ecological, but the truth is that most of us start with a PVC mat (Let’s change that!).
Non-slip yoga mat
Taking advantage of the fact that today is International Yoga Day 2018 I would like to share with you some basic points to keep in mind when buying an eco-friendly yoga mat. At the end of the post I tell you which one was chosen.
In recognition of its universal popularity, on December 11, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as International Yoga Day. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice of ancient tradition, which originated in India. The word yoga comes from Sanskrit and means unity because it symbolizes the union of body and mind.
Buying a yoga mat is not difficult. Now almost all the big chains and even supermarkets have some for sale. But finding an ecological mat is not so easy, you have to do a little more research and be clear about what materials to avoid.
There is also a debate about its safety for our health, since phthalates are used to make PVC more flexible. That is why when buying a mat we have to take into account that it is free of phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP and DNOP.
Tpe material yoga mat
After much research, we feel that the best value for money yoga mat is the Manduka X. It comes from the Manduka brand, known for its incredible quality. It has a good grip, which will give you stability in your postures but also allow you to flow between postures with ease. It is made of Manduka’s exclusive synthetic rubber (TPE) that is 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly. Plus, it’s very durable and affordable!
If you don’t want to spend a lot on your yoga mat, we recommend the Toplus or the Gaiam Reversible. Although they are made of synthetic materials, they have a decent grip. That said, if you can, we recommend you invest a little more and opt for the Manduka X, which has a superior grip as well as being eco-friendly.
The Toplus Yoga Mat is a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot on your mat. Although it is made of a synthetic material, it has a pretty good grip – enough for any style of yoga.
The reversible Gaiam is another great option if you’re on a tighter budget. It’s a fairly thick mat (6mm) so it’s ideal if you need more cushioning for your joints. It is made of PVC.
Which mat thickness is better for yoga
For a long time the most popular mats were made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), because they usually were and are the cheapest. Today, more and more people (especially yogis) are looking for sustainable and pro-ecological solutions. That means PVC mats will inevitably be dethroned. PVC is a plastic. It can be made softer and more flexible (as yoga mats are) by the addition of plasticizers, phthalates being the most commonly used.
PVC is also known as vinyl, the most toxic plastic. PVC is considered toxic during all stages of its life cycle. It is toxic during its manufacture, it is toxic to end consumers, toxic during disposal.
They are very easy to clean, you can simply wash them in your washing machine and do not always have to clean them with special detergents. They are also the cheapest mats on the market. The anti-slip properties of these PVC mats are considered good; of course, it all depends on the model. The PVC must fit you.