do you need an eco yoga mat?

do you know what your mat is made of?

If you are not using an eco-yoga mat, which are a fairly new, non-vinyl concoction, your yoga mat is made of vinyl or PVC, a petroleum-based, non-renewable source, which continues to give off gases throughout its existence.

Vinyl contains phthalates, or plasticizers, which have been linked to a host of health risks, including damage to the liver, lungs, and reproductive system. Phthalates, which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, have veen banned from some products by the European Union , but not by the US or Canada.

Eco-mats are made with other materials, such as polymer envrionmental resin, natural rubber, or blends containing natural fibers such as jute. They are free of heavy metals. And being biodegradable, they'll revert to their origins at the end of their lifecycle.

source: envionmnet.about.com; PVCFree.org; Grist.org

design your own eco-yoga mat

yogamatic.com

now you can design the graphics to inspire you on your yoga mat! As a designer, this is right up my alley. You upload your image, a .jpg or .tif file, and it is printed on an eco-friendly yoga mat.

Brilliant!

even keel

when you turn your yoga up a notch, you gravitate towards highly wicking, highly breathable materials. I've got my eye on these shorts by Even Keel.
I dig the foldover top, the color combination (especially a chocolate/pink combo) and they are made of 70% Bamboo / 25% Organic Cotton / 5% Spandex. Sounds luscious. The great thing about bamboo is that it feels cool and silky on your skin and is antimicrobial - it never takes on a sweaty aroma.

Even Keel is a small company run by a yoga teacher, and their line is made in the USA. Check them out!