Many of my students over the years have asked for suggestions on which yoga mat to purchase for personal use, and the truth is, that answer is different from person to person.
When looking to buy your own mat, it’s important to consider how you will use it. Are heated yoga classes the primary part of your practice? If so, you’ll want a mat that is slip-resistant as you’ll likely get pretty sweaty. If you have knee issues, you may want a thicker mat to accomodate for poses like Table Top where your knees are pressing into the mat.
To guide you all in this process, the researchers at ConsumerAdvocate.org have done some extensive research and compiled a whole lot of information to help you in your yoga mat search. They have published a comprehensive guide to eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats using the criteria of Functionality, Eco-Friendliness, Value, and Design.
In a nation of declining environmental protections and concern, it’s very important for you to do your own research to make sure that the products you’re using and the food you’re consuming is ethically sourced and truly good for you. A lot of plastics and other products harm the environment in their production process, are toxic to use, and add harm to the environment when they are disposed of. In their research process, Consumer Advocate took note of the material used to make the mats and how much of an impact it had on the environment and the health of the practitioner. They even sent samples of each mat to the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, MI to test for any toxicity. Their research is
incredibly transparent and extensive, taking all sorts of factors into consideration to provide a well-rounded resource.
Whether you are searching for a new yoga mat, or you would like to make sure the one you’re currently using is safe for you and the environment, this guide will give you a lot of helpful information. Check it out below.