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Yoga is the ultimate form of exercise for many. This ancient practice encompasses your body and your mind — and there’s a style to suit everybody.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hardcore Ashtanga junkie or like to unwind with a gentle yin class. You need the right gear for your practice, preferably from a brand that treads lightly on mother earth. Here are nine of the best yoga mats on Amazon in terms of durability and sustainability.
No trees were harmed in the making of this yoga mat. Cork is a sustainable product — it’s harvested from the bark of the tree every few years, causing no harm to the plant.
You won’t have to worry about this mat slipping out from under you when you attempt a flying tittibhasana. It has a non-slip rubber base that keeps it firmly against the studio floor.
If you’re allergic to latex, you won’t have any issues with this yoga and pilates mat that’s 99% free of the troublesome material. It’s made from sustainable non-Amazon harvested natural tree rubber with non-toxic foaming agents and non-azo dye.
Those aren’t the only benefits you get with this investment. The manufacturer collects all post-industrial scrap to create a zero-waste production process and uses no PVC or harmful plasticizers.
Where do old wetsuits go to die when they outlive their usefulness? If they’re fortunate enough to get bought by the SUGA company, they reincarnate as yoga mats.
These mats are proudly made in the U.S.A., saving you shipping costs — and decreasing your carbon footprint over importing from overseas. They’re composed of closed-cell foam, preventing them from picking up bacteria from your studio floor — a decided plus in today’s COVID-19 era.
You want to avoid any materials containing phthalates, especially if you’re a woman or man of childbearing age. This material can cause diminished sperm counts in men and contribute to pregnancy loss in women.
Along with being phthalates-free, this mat likewise contains no irritating latex. The biodegradable jute means this yoga gear won’t end up clogging landfills for years should you dispose of it.
Jute is a sustainable material, growing without the need for pesticides or fertilizers. The plant also reaches maturity quickly, requiring only four to six months, making it readily renewable.
There’s one more plus to this material — it soaks up sweat like a sponge. You won’t slip and slide during the most intense Bikram class with this mat as your base.
Plastic production takes up a considerable amount of the planet’s dwindling oil resources. However, the thermoplastic elastomers used to construct this yoga mat are 100% recyclable — when it becomes worse for wear, it could start a new life as a bottle or a medical device.
The prAna company prides itself on its environmental sustainability. It also partners with dedicated organizations to improve working conditions for the laborers it employs.
Thermoplastic elastomers aren’t only recyclable. They’re also biodegradable, meaning that this mat won’t end up clogging a landfill if someone buys it from you at a yard sale and disposes of it in the wrong bin.
This mat is free of natural rubber, latex and PVC. Its thin, 3-millimeter thickness makes it lightweight enough to carry with you just about anywhere.
What if you practice yoga on non-traditional surfaces like your living room carpet or even the great outdoors? Rubber mats can heat up in sunlight, turning even gentle yin classes into hot yoga-style sweat baths.
This innovative yoga rug is made from 100% organic cotton — you don’t have to worry about nasty pesticides. Additionally, it is handmade by local weavers, not factory-produced, meaning the manufacturing process creates a minimal carbon footprint.
One of the most affordable mats on this list, Gaiam is a leader in all things yoga. This extra-thick, non-slip yoga mat is equally at home in an Ashtanga studio or a relaxing restorative class.
Best of all, the reversible design lets you change your mat to suit your mood. You can choose from 12 exotic patterns. All are non-toxic and PVC-free.
You don’t have to sacrifice style or sustainability to enjoy your mind-body practice. Indulge yourself this holiday season or anytime with one of these nine best yoga mats on Amazon.
