Keep an eye out for any mats that have our WH Lab Approved logo proudly displayed on their picture, as these items have all been given our resident PT and yoga expert’s seal of approval. No trees are harmed in manufacturing these eco yoga mats because the cork is harvested every 8-9 years from the regenerative bark of cork oak trees. The tree is never cut down and can live as long as 200 years. Durability: Your yoga mat won’t have to withstand intense HIIT workouts or dropped dumbbells, but it should emerge unscathed from dynamic practice, without any rips or dents. As the ancient discipline is all about mental stillness and feeling calm (sign us up), now is as good-a time as any to try it. Forget what you thought you already knew; yoga isn't about how bendy you can be or how long you can do a handstand for. No pressure to touch your toes without bending your knees here. Instead, it's all about reconnecting with your body and restoring your sense of inner peace. Although materials like cork and jute are antibacterial and don't need regular cleaning (according to the brands), I recommend keeping your yoga mat clean and fresh.

Gurus offer two Natural Cork Mat options, the Roots Yoga Mat which has a natural rubber base layer, and the Sprout mat that is made with TPE. As such, the Roots Mat makes the Leaf Score cut, but the Sprout does not.The Green Earth Wool Yoga Mat with Lavender has the added bonus (depending on your tastes) of relaxing lavender flowers interspersed in the edging. The lavender scent might be a real boon for anyone using the mat at home to do a more relaxing type of yoga or meditation. However, if you plan on using the mat in a class setting, consider the unscented Green Earth Yoga Mat (which is almost exactly the same). It's sweat and slip resistant and is coated on the bottom with tree rubber. It's also naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. Yoloha carries a great selection of vegan andnon-toxic eco-friendly yoga mats, from their signature Unity to their Original Cork Yoga Mat + Plant Foam. The Unity is made of a harmonious blend of recycled cork and rubber made out of recycled tires. No nasty PVC! If yoga is a regular part of your cross-training routine, this all-bells-and-whistles mat from Les Mills is a worthy investment. It was an instant hit with our resident yogi, who said it was a cinch to roll out and lay flat on the floor, without any irritating curled up edges. The Roots mat offers a good balance between comfort and stability as it is firm but forgiving on the joints.

One downside with this mat is the potential for a lingering rubber smell. Airing the mat out (not in direct sunlight) and cleaning the mat can help, but it may still take weeks or months for the smell to dissipate, and the smell may transfer to your hands and body. Thankfully, the natural rubber smell is not as bad as that of synthetic rubber, but it does seem to be more of an issue with the Manduka eKO than with the Prolana Rubber and Wool Mat and with the Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Mat. PVC is naturally a very hard plastic. Phthalates (hormone disruptors) are added to the material to make it soft and flexible. Your body can absorb these chemicals from your yoga mat simply by breathing. Not a lot of zen going on there! It’s worth noting that the rubber base of their mats is biodegradable, but the microfiber is only recyclable.The Manduka eKO series just makes the cut, though, because these mats are made with natural tree rubber, without the use of ‘harmful plasticizers’, and are manufactured in a zero-waste process (according to Manduka). All of Manduka’s rubber mats are said by the company to be free of toxic chemicals, dyes, and phthalates, made with rubber from sustainable sources, and manufactured using non-toxic foaming agents to make the rubber soft and pliable. These rubber mats are reinforced with a blend of polyester and cotton. Brentwood Home’s Dunlop latex is FSC® certified and comes from sustainably managed rubber tree plantations. The organic cotton is also certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard, meaning it’s grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers that harm the environment and human health. Between practices, be sure to wipe away any excess moisture and let your mat air dry before storing it away. Avoid putting the mat in direct sun or hot temperatures though. UV exposure can speed up degradation, whatever your mat is made of. PVC, rubber, TPE, and PER mats can become flaky, brittle, and extra toxic if exposed to high heat and direct sunlight. Other yoga mat considerations All their organic, eco-friendly yoga mats are SGS REACH certified. They are designed here in Canada but made in China under strict ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices. PER and TPE are both made from petroleum (Thermo Plastic Elastomer). Some are worse than others, but since you can't tell, it's left up to you to ask the brand.