words from our community: steph spangler and kate toll

Earth Day should be celebrated every day, and as yogi’s we strive to make our carbon imprint as small as possible. One easy way to do this is to practice on a mat that is made with natural rubbers and is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.

Did you know that the majority of yoga mats are manufactured with poly-vinyl chloride, or PVC? PVC makes a great mat due to its grip, durability and price point. But, unfortunately, there is no safe way to create, use or destroy these mats. Additionally, PVC is hazardous to your health. PVC is one of the most toxic plastics and is a known to cause cancer in humans, as according to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Scary stuff!

In other words, the very thing we count on to support us as we move, breath, and meditate could be harming us and the planet.

Don’t fear! There are companies out there that make their mats in an eco-friendly way!

Did you know that Jade taps rubber trees, a renewable resource, for their mats? They also plant a new tree for every mat sold. If that wasn’t enough, they are manufactured right here in Conshohocken!

We sell Jade mats and Khaya mat bags here at Yoga home. It’s made in the US with organic cotton duck (canvas) and a portion of the sale of every Jade Khaya bag goes to protect habitats for chimpanzees in Uganda’s Hoima District.

Lululemon is focused on sustainability and have strict requirements for how they choose vendors and what materials they use. They also host local mat drop off events, so that used mats may be donated and shipped to classrooms across the country.

These are two examples, and two companies that we support here at Yoga Home. There are others! Its important to read your labels and research the product you choose to invest in.

Mats that are made from natural resources are subject to natural wear and tear, as is desirable over time, we don’t want these things clogging landfills and oceans! Here are some tips to manage the quality of your mat:

• After practice, use a plant based cleaner to spray down your mat. You can make your own by mixing some tea tree oil or Doterra Purify with water! Shake it up in a spray bottle and you’re good to go.
• In order to protect your mat from sweat and body oil, use a Jade towel mat as a barrier.
• Limit your mat’s exposure to extreme elements like the sun or cold. Its easy to keep the mat in the car, but this can impact the quality of your mat!
• Use a Jade Khaya Bag to store and protect your mat. If you’re in the market for a new mat, here are some easy ways to recycle your old one:
• Drop off your old mat at an animal rescue shelter. Most of these places need soft, durable mats, rugs, towels, and blankets to line crates.
• Smother weeds in your garden. Just place the mat over a section of your garden and the mat and the sun’s heat will smother weeds and their seeds. Then when it is time to sew your seeds just remove the mat and move it to another spot in your garden.
• Donate your extra yoga mat to a charity in your area that provides yoga classes to schools and prisons.
• Use it on the beach or at the park instead of a blanket.
• If your mat is made of PVC or Latex, dump it in the recycling bin!