Alternatives to Yoga Mats

In modern yoga, the ubiquitous plastic yoga mat is hard to miss. Constructed from low-cost polyvinyl chloride, the mat also contains di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or DEHP, to soften the material. However, many yoga practitioners consider phthalate such as DEHP harmful to humans, and the European Union has expressed its concern over the environmental impact of widespread PVC usage. Alternatives to PVC-based yoga mats are therefore becoming popular.

  1. Jute

    • Growing Jute to maturity takes around four months. After shedding its flowers, the plant is harvested and immersed in water for up to a month. Workers separate, wash, dry and bale the now easily separated fibers. To make yoga mats, the fibers are treated, oiled and then meshed together. While the production of jute is labor intensive it has a low overall environmental impact.

    Hemp

    • Hemp, a soft and extremely durable fiber derived from the cannabis plant, grows quickly and propagates without the use of chemical fertilizers. Hemp yoga mats constructed of tightly woven hemp fibers are generally not as thick as natural rubber mats.

    Natural Rubber

    • Producing rubber requires first obtaining latex from inside the Hevea Brasiliensis tree. Latex is a milky colloid produced by the tree for up to 30 years. Natural rubber yoga mats provide excellent traction and are denser and longer-lasting than their PVC counterparts. However, those with latex allergies should consider a different type of mat, as should those who find the distinctive rubbery smell off-putting.

    Bamboo

    • Bamboo rates as one of the planet's fastest growing plants and most sustainable resources. Bamboo grows up to 60 cm per day without the use of harmful herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. Yoga mats constructed from bamboo do not cause skin irritation and are also environmentally friendly.