Types of sustainable yoga mats for a healthier and greener tomorrow.

You are all set to practice yoga and experience all its health benefits, and are also concerned about preserving the health of our environment at the same time! Don’t worry; here’s everything you need to know about the different types of sustainable yoga mats that compliment your style and comfort while taking a responsible step for the better future of our planet. 

Cotton Yoga Mats

These mats are breathable, sturdy, and easily washable, allowing you to maintain a high degree of hygiene, making them popular in the market. When buying a yoga mat made of cotton online, you have many options because they come in various colours and designs. These mats are produced with premium-quality cotton yarn or handloom cotton to ensure comfort and softness. In addition to washing, you can clean these yoga mats by running a vacuum cleaner over them to remove dirt from the surface. Recently, many new innovations have been introduced in this product category, wherein cotton yoga mats come with a rubberized back to enhance grip while performing the asanas or with cloth backing to reduce slipping.

Natural Rubber Yoga Mats

Rubber trees are harvested in a sustainable manner by tapping into their bark to get the sap. Natural rubber yoga mats are of top quality; they have non-slip features, have effective shock absorption, and are made following high environmental standards. They are also a little heavier than most mats but extremely supportive. Natural rubber yoga mats require regular washing because they can smell after a few days of use. These days, rubber is being fused with other natural materials like cotton, jute and cork to create a variety of premium mats that do not smell and give a good grip. These mats are designed for heavy-duty use and are ideal for high-intensity yoga courses or individuals who practice in a warm environment. One must exercise caution and avoid using these mats if they are susceptible to latex allergies. 

Cork Yoga Mats

Cork fabric is a natural, unprocessed product that is made by stripping the outer bark of the cork tree by hand. It is environment-friendly because the trees are not cut during this process, and it takes 8 to 14 years for them to grow their bark back in a 200-year lifespan. In fact, a cork tree that has its bark removed absorbs five times more carbon dioxide to regrow than a tree that has not been stripped.  The fabric has grown in popularity because it is biodegradable, recyclable, renewable and lightweight. Other materials used to produce yoga mats do not offer as good a grip as cork. When wet, the grip of cork yoga mats improves. Cork's natural waxy composition prevents moisture absorption. Because of this, it's the ideal surface for practising yoga in hot and humid conditions. Another advantage of using a Cork Yoga mat is that it has natural antibacterial characteristics that fight bacteria and germs and also eliminate odour. Cork yoga mats, as a result, require less maintenance.

Banana Fibre Mats

Banana fibre is utilised for a variety of purposes all around the world. The tree's stems are used to manufacture textile fibres, which are then turned into banana fibre mats. Cotton yarns are used to weave the fibre together, giving the mat a softer and more comfortable feel. Banana fibre is well-known for its suppleness. It has the same softness as cotton but is more durable and gives thermal comfort in cold and warm conditions. It is easy to maintain these mats as they can be washed by hand and put in the sun to dry. It should preferably be stored in a warm, dry place.

Sambu Grass Mats

Sambu Grass Yoga Mat is made entirely of natural materials cotton, Sambu straw and natural rubber. It is biodegradable, environmentally friendly and is produced using ancient weaving techniques. The cotton fibres lend strength and texture to this mat, which is known for its cooling effects. This mat absorbs sweat and offers support to your yoga practice. Sambu grass mat provides maximum comfort and has an anti-skid coating. It is suitable for indoor practice and is very suitable for natural yoga practice because of its unique texture. As these mats are washable by hand, maintaining them and ensuring hygiene is very easy. 

Darba Grass Mat

Darbha (Desmotachya bipinnata) is a tropical grass that is treasured in Vedic writings as a sacred substance that purifies offerings made during rituals and yajnas. It's an environmentally beneficial and natural preservative that's used to keep food from fermenting or becoming infected by microorganisms during eclipses. The interwoven grass on the yoga mats has a naturally ribbed serrated texture that helps you keep your grasp for a natural flow of movement. This mat is ideal for stretching and meditative practices. Sweat is wicked away with this mat. This mat is 100% natural, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. It is also lightweight and portable. There is also a historical significance associated with this material as it is believed that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment after meditating on Darbha Grass under the bodhi tree. These folklores have made the Darbha Grass Mat popular for meditation practices as it is believed that it helps evade negative energies. Moreover, Darbha is also known to carry antiviral properties, which is why they have been widely used in traditional medicines. 

These days, more sustainable mats are also made from natural fibres like jute and hemp. You can find such mats in most sustainable stores like DVAAR that have recently opened up .It’s time to make the right choice and do our bit in small ways towards building a healthier body, mind and planet. We must remind ourselves at every step that we have not inherited the earth from our elders but borrowed it from our children.