[Leer en español] A while ago, I met a yogi who didn’t use a mat. The world was their mat, they said. It’s encouraging to remind myself I can practice anywhere, any time. On dirt. On grass. On wooden floors. But dirt can be…dirty! Yoga mats offer a clean surface to practice on, and provide balance, grip, and comfort.
There are seemingly endless choices when it comes to yoga mats! How do you know which one is right for you? We’re here to offer insight, and empower you to make an ethically informed purchase that satisfies your preferences, and budget.
PVC Mats: Toxicity and Sustainability Concerns
In the 1970s, PVC mats rose in popularity. They are affordable, durable, and widely available. However, PVC produces dioxins, a family of highly toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, reproductive, developmental and immune problems. In addition to being harmful to human beings, PVC is not biodegradable. This deeply concerning, considering every year, as much as 7 billion pounds of PVC is discarded (Greenpeace, 2002). Because the material is challenging to recycle, many PVC products end up in landfills, or incinerated, releasing harmful chemicals into the environment (EPA, 2019). As the predominant consumerist culture demands sustainable after-life and biosafety standards, yoga mats made of cork, cotton, rubber, and other natural materials, are rising in popularity.
Earthing Theory: Synergy Between Body and Ground
In addition to wellbeing and sustainability, it may be worthwhile to consider how material does or does not allow the body to connect with the earth. Today, human beings rarely come into direct contact with the ground. We wear shoes with insulating synthetic or rubber soles, walk on carpets, and rest on raised mattresses. According to Earthing Theory, direct contact with earth’s negative electric potential stabilizes our internal bioelectrical environment, therefore benefitting various physiological processes (Oschman, 2012). Proponents claim that earthing, also known as grounding, betters sleep, reduces pain, and decreases inflammation. According to a study by the University of Oregon, practicing yoga on a grounding surface, also reduces blood viscosity (Brown, et. al, 2015). However, there is a scarcity of large, well-designed, peer-reviewed studies to firmly back these claims. Earthing may or may not have proven health benefits. If you’re interested in exploring the potential energetic connection between the human body and the earth, opt for conductive materials, rather than insulating ones like plastic, cork, and rubber.
Cork
Cork mats are a fantastic option that is sustainable, natural, and reasonably affordable. Note, however, that cork in an insulating material. I used a cork mat for several years, and loved it. I sweat a lot—especially through my hands. For yogis like myself, cork, and its absorbent properties, can be a wonderful solution. Whenever you press up into downward dog, you can trust your hands will be firmly anchored.
While cork’s absorbency is a pro, it’s also a con. Because it’s so good at absorbing sweat, cork mats are somewhat difficult to clean. You can’t easily wipe them down. I recommend cleaning them with a damp towel, and a solution of water, vinegar, and isopropyl alcohol. Be gentle, and allow ample time for the mat to dry before rolling it back up. When rolling the mat, take equal care, since cork has a tendency to chip.
Cotton
Cotton yoga rugs are commonly used in the Ashtanga Vinyasa, or Mysore tradition. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, and machine washable. Many are dyed with medicinal plants, like turmeric, cumin, and indigo. Others are made from recycled materials, like Jade Yoga’s Recycled Sari Rug, created by the Local Women’s Handicraft in Nepal, an organization committed to ethical fashion and empowering South Asian women. For a more affordable option, I recommend Hugger Mugger’s Cotton Yoga Mat.
My dear sweaty folks—look no further. As somebody who slips even on rubber, cotton keeps me steady. I love the ease of washing my mat in the laundry. Another major perk is foldability. You can easily pack it in a suitcase, making it an ideal option for travelers. On the go, you can fold the mat into a makeshift meditation cushion!
The one drawback is cotton yoga rugs tend to slip on smooth flooring. I recommend layering your rug on a rubber mat. You also might consider splurging on a rug with a rubber coated bottom, like Öko Living’s Diamond Yoga Mat.
Rubber
Rubber is another natural, grippy, biodegradable material that makes for a quality yoga mat. Some of the most popular yoga mats on the market are made with natural rubber, including Wirecutter’s top two picks for the best yoga mat of 2024—Lululemon’s 5 mm Mat, and the Jade Yoga Harmony Mat. Both options provide ample padding for your knees. For a travel friendly option, I recommend Jade Yoga’s Voyager. It’s lightweight, foldable, and pairs nicely with a cotton yoga rug.
Although rubber is biodegradable and a renewable resource, rubber plantations are responsible for vast tropical deforestation and often violate labor laws and fair trade agreements. If you’re considering buying a rubber mat, check for FSC certification. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies rubber plantations committed to preventing deforestation, and ensuring fair wages.
A Word From Abuelita
Abuelita Miriam says: “When we move from supine to prone postures, we place our body on a towel, or yoga mat for hygiene. As we begin our yoga practice, we connect with the energy of Mother Earth. Noble and natural materials allow this energy to permeate through the soles of our feet and our body. Nowadays, yoga mats are made from polymers and plastic, which block the flow of this energy. In conclusion, if we want to be one with the energy of Mother Earth, our clothing should be made from natural fibers, and we should practice on natural surfaces or those made from noble materials.” She prefers to practice on a mat made of plant fibers, like petate, atop wood floors.
Conclusion
Personal practice and planetary health are closely intertwined. Noble materials like cork, cotton, and rubber yoga mats are environmentally friendly and functionally superior alternatives to the ubiquitous PVC mat—give them a try!
Sources
Brown, R. and Chevalier, G. (2015) Grounding the Human Body during Yoga Exercise with a Grounded Yoga Mat Reduces Blood Viscosity. Open Journal of Preventative Medicine, 5, 159-168. doi: 10.4236/ojpm.2015.54019.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019). “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2017 Fact Sheet.” EPA.
Forest Stewardship Council. (2021). “FSC and Natural Rubber.” Retrieved from https://fsc.org/en/for-business/fsc-and-natural-rubber
Greenpeace. (2002). “PVC: Bad News Comes in Threes.” Greenpeace.
Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Sinatra, S. T. (2012). Earthing: Health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth’s surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, Article 291541. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/291541
World Health Organization (WHO). (2010). “Dioxins and their effects on human health.” WHO.