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Yoga
is meant to honor your health, strengthen your body and deepen your
daily life experience. When diving into our soul’s depths, then, why
are most of us are still using a mat made from polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), a non-recyclable plastic that’s a proven health hazard? The
toxins created during the production of PVC, specifically dioxin, have been linked to cancer, birth defects and endocrine disorders. Not so great for shavasana.
Luckily there’s a new crop of yoga mats that are PVC free but still
sticky enough to keep your feet in place during warrior. We like:
Manduka
has a new line of PRO yoga mats, which are biodegradable, fair-trade
and made from sustainably farmed tree rubber in an certified
emissions-free process without the use of harmful substances. Instead
of cutting down the tree to extract the sap, they simply tap it (kinda
like maple syrup). And the rubber never, ever, comes from the Amazon.
Korqmats are made from cork, a biodegradable and sustainable
material with a natural grip that absorbs pressure rather than
displaces it. Cork is inherently mold, mildew, and
bacteria-resistant—all excellent attributes in a mat destined for a
sweaty floor. Maybe that’s where all the wine corks are going!
Benefitting Global Green with a percentage of sales, Yogamatic mats
are made of completely biodegradeable, moisture- and bacteria-resistant
TPE and have a closed cell structure that not only makes them softer
and more supportive, but also 50% lighter than most other yoga mats.
You can ecologically print your own photo on your mat (please avoid the
kissy pose with Fluffy), or check out their new line in partnership
with designer Jill Malek that yields mats printed with synchronized
patterns of movement—birds, horses, even vegetables—that offer the
perfect drishdi for the chattering mind.
Through the end of March 2009, get 10% off on Korqmats by reading up on this week's Health section.
—Laurel House
Laurel House is a published author, nationally recognized magazine
writer, healthy living spokesperson, national and local morning
television show expert, and healthy living advocate. The founder of GreenIQ.com,
an online calculator that measures your carbon footprint, and
spokesperson for companies like Nature Made Vitamins, Laurel is a
contributing editor to Healing Lifestyles and Spas and Fit Yoga
magazines, the co-author of books such as The Gurus’ Guide to Serenity
(HarperCollins 2004) and author of hundreds of articles printed in an
array of publications including Women’s Health, Spa Magazine and
Vegetarian Times, among others. More than anything, Laurel is an
advocate for a balanced green lifestyle.
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