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What is an organic yoga mat?

In this article you will discover what organic really means and discover the the many eco-friendly alternatives that you can trust to provide you with a quality ecological yoga mat without neglecting the technical performance of the mat.

We will see that the ecological character of the manufacture of a carpet can be certified by numerous certifications and certain labels in which you can completely trust.

Some companies will tell you about organic yoga mats when in fact they are eco-friendlyBe careful with the nuance! In this article, we will see why there is no such thing, what are the alternatives to ecological the most respectful and which are the eco-friendly yoga mats to avoid.

Discover all Yogom yoga mats
What is an organic yoga mat?

SUMMARY

  1. A high performance organic yoga mat? Myth or reality?
  2. What does organic mean?
  3. Yoga mat certifications
  4. The cleanest carpet you can buy in France
  5. Why is a non-toxic PVC yoga mat made in Germany not environmentally friendly?
What is an organic yoga mat?

A high performance organic yoga mat? Myth or reality?

  • To begin, we will immediately break a myth, there is no 100% organic yoga mat technically efficient and suitable for the practice of yoga.
  • Indeed you will find on the market yoga mats woven in organic cotton but they are in reality simple textile mats of interior as you will find some in your house.
  • Unfortunately, this type of woven organic cotton mat has a very poor grip on the floor and a coating with little anti-slip, not to mention the lack of thickness and density, your yoga practices may be very uncomfortable and you risk slipping and injuring yourself.

Indeed, to have a yoga mat that is both sticky and non-slip suitable for the practice of yoga and pilates, the manufacturers inevitably put in the composition of the mat either rubber eraser natural materials (latex) or synthetic materials such as PVC or the TPE.

If your ecological values are intransigent on the subject then this type of natural product will be appropriate for you on the other hand if you wish not to slip on your yoga mat and or to be able to combine respect of the environment and technical performance it will be necessary to turn to a yoga mat that is both ecological and non-slip:

You will discover below in the article the two most ecological yoga mats sold in France at the moment : the recycled cork and rubber yoga mat made in Portugal and the natural yoga mats made of sheep wool certified Oeko tex and made in Lithuania.

But Yogom also offers 3 other ranges of eco-designed mats with high technical performance.

To choose your ecological yoga mat, don’t hesitate to consult our Buying Guide!
Which Yoga Mat to choose?

What does organic mean?

  • Definition

The products organic are designated as products oforganic agriculture. The practice appeared in the 20th century to offer an alternative totraditional agriculture using synthetic chemicals. It therefore concerns plant fibers and natural foods produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or GMOs.

In the world of yoga, an organic mat would only be made of natural fibers from organic farming.

Organic is interesting because it certifies the obligation of farmers not to contaminate the soil and to preserve biodiversity, especially around the fields. Organic is also a very controlled sector and involves a much higher level of food quality as well as a greater respect for the animal condition.

However, as in all areas, organic farming also has its shortcomings, organic farming requires morewater than conventional farming and reduces yields on an area by 30 to 40%. Thus, it is difficult to obtain good quality organic products at an affordable price and in general, organic agriculture does not rhyme with self-sufficiency.

What is an organic yoga mat?

  • Sectors

Initially a majority in thefood and health industry, organic products have entered new sectors, including clothing and accessories, with the development of organic cotton production. You will find organic products in your local grocery store as well as on an online clothing store.

  • Value

From an ethical point of view, organic farming respects the environment by not contaminating the soil with chemical fertilizers and by not killing species around the fields that could be poisoned by pesticides. We also know that some highly chemical products have effects on the human organism regarding the ingested food. Organic farming corresponds to a long term vision,ecological and respectful of animal life conditions.

  • Why it is difficult to apply to yoga products

Firstly, There is no such thing as a 100% cotton performance yoga mat, the yoga mat requires a ground adhesion which is obtained with an eraser in natural rubber (or other synthetic material) and a particular comfort that cotton does not offer, whether for pilates, gym and yoga in general (especially sport and intense and dynamic yogas).

It is therefore impossible to have a non-slip yoga mat made of 100% organic cotton. In fact, organic cotton yoga mats are more like supports to isolate themselves from the ground than real mats suitable for practicing sports. Both wool and hemp yoga mats have the same problems, a wool yoga mat must have a non-slip backing to be suitable for practice, otherwise it will just be a support on the floor to practice meditation or lying down.

What is an organic yoga mat?

The 100% organic products that can be found in the yoga world are accessories such as a bag, a strap or a cork brick. The ideal way to stay as close to an ecological behavior as possible is to combine for your practices a mat yoga with a rubber eraser and organic accessories.

  • So for what practices is the organic yoga mat suitable?

Meditation is possible on this type of mat, but you will need to add a zafu for sufficient comfort. Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down and is therefore suitable for a mat that does not have a particular grip.

Restorative yoga and yin yoga are gentle yoga with many postures lying on the back and rely on relaxation so they will suit an organic cotton mat made with less thickness.

Finally this type of mat is practical for travel, it will fit perfectly in a bag because it is very thin and light, and will be adapted to your yoga and meditation practices if the ground is already tolerant. Place it on sand or on a hotel room carpet for example to benefit from a softer support.

What are the certifications for yoga mats?

Yoga mats must meet environmental criteria. These certifications tell you where the mat comes from and help you choose your ecological yoga mat.

For your information, when a company claims to have a certification, it is very easy to search for this certification available on a business directory to find out if the company is indeed certified. This is obviously the case for Yogom.

We are now going to present you the main certifications to take into account in the universe of the eco-responsible yoga and which are the certifications that Yogom acquired for these mats and accessories of yoga.

What is an organic yoga mat?

  • Vegan

The vegan lifestyle has been booming for the past few years and with good reason! Animal production is a disaster for the living conditions of animals as well as for the environment. Veganism is part of a general awareness movement. Animal exploitation consumes a lot of water (sometimes scarce in certain regions) and produces large quantities of greenhouse gases. So we understand why Vegan rhymes with eco responsibility.

When it comes to yoga mats, the Vegan label certifies that the yoga mats are designed with products that are not derived from animal exploitation and are not tested on animals. Yogom has obtained the Eve Vegan certification and produces its yoga mats in cork to suit the Vegan lifestyle. Moreover, the cork of our yoga mats is a recyclable material coupled with a natural rubber base to keep an anti-slip criterion.

  • Oeko tex

The Oeko Tex certification is a certification that controls theabsence of harmful substances in different types of products including yoga mats.

This certification also checks that the production of textiles respects human working conditions and that the products thus created are not dangerous for health, the certified textile does not contain toxic products for health and for the environment.

Yogom has acquired the Oeko tex certification for all the wool products of the Douceur range (yoga mats and accessories) and proposes an ecological wool of sheep of quality to protect the environment and your health.

Mouton

  • Sgs

The SGS certification controls theabsence of latex and certain toxic products. There is also a GOTS certification to control the quality of the cotton. Other organizations control the presence of certain substances and in general, when a brand communicates on these certifications you can easily check that it respects its commitments.

The Yogom yoga mats of the Performance Range range, the Star range and the Travel Range are all Sgs certified, HAP Testing Services Co. Ltd (no chemicals), Attestation of Global Compliance Co. Ltd (absence of Phthalates) and Hermes Hansecontrol Group (absence of Formamide). For us, the goal is to produce the most ecological yoga mats and accessories possible.

Logo recyclage

  • Recyclable

A yoga mat is said recyclable when there are solutions to recycle these materials. It is important to distinguish between “recycled” and “recyclable” carpet. If recyclable seems like a good idea on paper, some carpets are said to be recyclable without this being possible in France. It is necessary to have sorting centers capable of doing the work.

Some mats, such as TPE yoga mats, are easily recyclable and that’s why we recommend them. In addition, cork carpets are recycled, so the cork is no longer recyclable but is bio-degradable which is a huge advantage when it comes to ecological design.

The only flaw of these carpets is the lack of sorting centers capable of recycling them in France. At Yogom, yoga mats in TPE of the Yomad range all of the features mentioned above, it’s a choice we made to offer a more enjoyable experience. outdoor yoga close to PVC but with a good better quality and in the perspective of the respect for the environment and your health.

The majority of yoga mats on the market today are still made of PVC. At Yogom, we use TPE foam as an alternative, which is a thermoplastic elastomer foam that meets the recycling criteria.

TPE yoga mats offer much better technical and ecological characteristics than PVC yoga mats (even in non-toxic PVC): the density of these mats is much stronger (PVC mats are soft: you sink into them)TPE is odorless while PVC has a very strong plastic smell, the touch of a TPE carpet is natural and soft while PVC is sticky, and above all PVC is slippery while TPE is very non-slip (an additional advantage for your practices). The TPE yoga mats are much more light and hypoallergenic. PVCTPE is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly material.

What is the cleanest yoga mat on the market?

The yoga mat made of recycled cork and made in Portugal by Yogom

What is an organic yoga mat?
  • The cork yoga mat is considered the most environmentally friendly type of natural yoga mat available on the market today.
  • Cork is a natural recyclable biodegradable material from certain trees that absorb a lot of CO2 , such as the cork oak. Many of them are found in Portugal, the largest cork exporting country.
  • Yogom has decided to partner in 2021 with a producer in this country to produce these cork yoga mats and thus reduce its carbon footprint. The cork used is harvested in the northern part of Portugal from cork scraps.
  • We add to the yoga mat a support in rubber gum always natural to keep a good adherence and a comfort of use. The natural rubber (latex) we use is recycled from shoes. You can practice sports (yoga, pîlates, gym) as well as meditation on this very versatile natural yoga mat.
See the Yogom cork yoga mat
  • The Yogom cork yoga mat is lightweight, and can afford to be quite thin which is ideal for travel. It is cushioning, for physical yoga, non-slip which brings safety to your yoga and pilates postures. As we have seen, it is natural, extremely ecological and has an antibacterial protection.
  • Finally this yoga mat is very resistant and durable, you can practice with or without shoes and keep the cork yoga mat for a long time.

With the Yogom cork mat we combine ecological production with a low carbon footprint. The Yogom cork yoga mat is very anti-slip, has a long life and is carefully produced.

THE RECYCLED RUBBER YOGA MAT

Yogom’s recycled rubber yoga mat is the perfect choice for those looking for an eco-friendly and environmentally friendly yoga mat. Made in Portugal with light, comfortable and anti-slip materials, it is made of recycled rubber, certified Vegan and is 100% recyclable. With a thickness of 4 mm and a size of 186 x 66 cm, it is comfortable enough to cushion the joints while remaining dense enough not to lose balance. In addition, it is durable, non-slip, easy to clean, and can be used indoors and outdoors. The coating is made of recyclable and vegan certified textile microfibers, while the recycled rubber base provides excellent ground grip and stability. Although it is not foldable, it is rollable and can be tied with a cork lace for easy transport. It is suitable for a wide variety of yoga, sports, gym and fitness practices, and is perfect for meditation and pilates. Finally, it is important to note that the carpet may contain latex, making it unsuitable for people with latex allergies.

See the recycled rubber yoga mat
Recycled rubber yoga mat Lune Yogom with young woman in lunge pose

Yogom wool yoga mat

  • If the cork yoga mat does not convince you or if you want to try a different yoga mat, the Yogom merino wool yoga mat is a very good ecological alternative.
  • The natural merino wool yoga mat is made in Lithuania and therefore has a very low carbon footprint , this product is designed to provide the most eco-friendly experience possible.
  • Like cork, this yoga mat is made of a natural material, the aforementioned Oeko-tex certified wool. Moreover, wool is not part of a massive production, the industry producing 90% of synthetic materials and 10% of natural materials.
See the Yogom wool yoga mat
What is an organic yoga mat?
  • The mat also has a natural rubber base to maintain grip and to have an eco-friendly profile.
  • Regarding animal welfare, merino sheep raised in the open air benefit from a bi-annual fleece that allows them to be lighter and to prevent the spread of parasites.
  • The fleece also has a hygienic function and its purpose is to make the sheep cleaner, overall it is good for the sheep and beneficial to them.
  • The wool has hydrophobic properties and is suitable for intensive sports (pilates, gym, dynamic yoga) or if you sweat in addition to giving a soft feeling.
  • It also has strong thermoregulatory qualities and that is why this carpet will be particularly pleasant in winter to insulate you from a cold ground and you will be able to couple it with the other accessories of the Softness Range.
  • We add that this yoga mat has a very good thickness and will be ideal for the practice of meditation!

Why is a PVC carpet made in Germany not environmentally friendly?

When we talk aboutecology, we have to make the difference between the carbon footprint of a product and theeco-responsibility of the latter and make your choices knowingly.

Eco-responsibility versus Carbon Footprint

  • A PVC carpet made in Germany will show a low carbon footprint from transportation, however these carpets are produced from salt and plastic and are therefore not very eco-friendly.
  • Moreover, the raw material for the rubber comes from Asia, the product is manufactured in Germany, but the journey is the same as for a product imported directly from Asia.
  • The carbon footprint of such a product is therefore similar to a product shipped from Asia.
  • Moreover, non-toxic PVC will never be recycled, whereas TPE, even if it is not currently recycled, has a good chance of being recycled in the future.
What is an organic yoga mat?

The Yogom mat in TPE made in China have a carbon footprint as high as a PVC yoga mat, taking into account the number of kilometers between France and China but use eco-friendly materials and as we have seen before, we do our best to produce articles made in Europe as with the cork carpet or the whole Douceur range, made in Lithuania.

Sustainability

It should be added that the longevity of a yoga mat must be taken into account in the calculation of its carbon footprint.

If your yoga mat lasts for several years, it will have a smaller carbon footprint and you will be able to practice yoga on the same mat longer.

PVC yoga mats, as we will see below, are not strong and lose quality over time.

It can be useful to choose a natural and eco-responsible yoga mat even if it is made in China to a not very eco-responsible yoga mat made near your home.

PVC yoga mats are more fragile than TPE foam yoga mats and may stretch during your yoga and pilates postures.

This reliability problem is due to the low density of these PVC mats. Finally, PVC gives a sticky texture to the carpet and a plastic smell .

It will tend to mark the place of your support after your sports and yoga sessions. In short, avoid as much as possible!

You now have all the elements in hand to choose a natural yoga mat that is more respectful of the environment and that will suit your practices.

Do not hesitate to visit our online store to consult our offers, we offer the delivery for all our yoga mat and our accessories from a minimum purchase (bag, strap etc.) designed for yoga and meditation!

Learn more about the manufacturing and certifications of Yogom products (yoga mats and accessories) as well as the values of the brand on this page .

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