The Shopping Yogi: scoring a new yoga mat

It’s time for a new yoga mat.

Namaste, dear readers.
After over ten years of consistent practice, my Gaiam yoga mat is ready to be retired. This was the first real yoga mat I ever purchased (having cut my own mats from carpet padding previously), and I must say I was pleasantly surprised the thin purple mat I picked up at Target so many years ago has lasted as long as it has. Nonetheless, the mat has begun to flake and is shredding at the corners from outdoor practice. Thus, I am in the market for a new mat that will fit my needs and last as long (fingers crossed) as the simple mat I have now.

My criteria

• Earth-friendly,
• Grippy (though not necessarily sticky),
• Thin enough to carry on my hip pack while biking (this is a tall order, I know!).

Earth-friendly mats

I have learned that a main component of sticky yoga mats is PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a toxic plastic. Not only do mats with this ingredient fail to biodegrade, they also harm our health while we use them. You can imagine that a yogini who spends a fair amount of time on her mat would be concerned with the health implications to herself and others associated with using that mat. Thus, I’m committed to buying a PVC-free mat this time around. I also would like a mat that biodegrades. For more information on PVC in mats, check out the Green Yoga Association.

{Photo by D’Arcy Norman.}

There are a few options on the market I’m interested in checking out:

• Organic, unbleached Cotton ( Yoga Accessories, Ethical Superstore,
• Natural rubber + jute fiber (Barefoot Yoga)
• Natural rubber (Gaiam, Manduka Eko Lite)
Closed cell, Thermo Plastic Elastomer (biodegradable, even with that name!)(Prana via Barefoot Yoga)

{photo by Paul Galipeau.}

Out with the old

Now what to do with my old mat? My natural inclination is to re-purpose it and keep using it for something, but I’m concerned about continuing to add PVC to the environment. Is recycling better? For my worn-out mat, I think recycling is the best bet (I have literally worn and washed it to shreds). Check out this cool mat recycling program at Recycle Your Mat.

I have a few other PVC mats in my stash (gifts I’ve received over the years that didn’t quite work for my practice) that I would like to reuse. Luckily, there are a number of resources on the web with suggestions:
• Gaiam’s 50 Ways to Reuse your Yoga or Fitness Mat;
• The Greenists’ New Uses for Old Yoga Mats;
• Creative Everyday’s Recycled Yoga Mat Stamps and Stencils.

How to make your mat last

As I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, my simple mat has lasted many years. Although I think that part of its longevity was due to the indestructibility of PVC, I do care for my mat, and I think this helps prevent flaking and shredding. Here are a few tips:
• Keep your mat clean—wipe off your mat after practice and clean it once a week with a solution of vinegar, soap and water; every month or so wash the mat in the tub or washing-machine (no fabric softener, cold cycle, hang dry).
• Keep your finger and toenails trim.
• Keep rubber mats out of the sun.

All good things, dear yogis.
Namaste.
Kelly