How Switching To A Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Cork Yoga Mat Can Improve Your Health
How Switching To A Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Cork Yoga Mat Can Improve Your Health
Have you ever thought about what your yoga mat is actually made out of, and if there’s a better exercise mat alternative out there? You’re not alone. So many people wonder what’s the point in switching to a cork yoga mat. The yogi community is all about natural living, so this topic is a very important one in living a healthier lifestyle for yourself and for future generations. It all comes down to the type of yoga mat you use, and why an eco yoga mat provides endless benefits whereas a typical chemical laden plastic or traditional yoga mat is causing harm to our bodies and the environment.
Becoming aware of the harm of PVC yoga mats is the first step in making a change.
You might think that a yoga mat or exercise mat is just about the cushion it provides, and maybe how cute the design is printed on it. Usually, these are the only two details considered when shopping for a new yoga mat. But in reality, it’s so much more! A non-toxic eco-friendly cork yoga mat does way more than just improve your downward-facing dog. Why not get something that is not only going to make you feel comfortable but also have a positive impact on your health? When it comes to your exercise mat or yoga mat inhalation and skin absorption are the two major ways for allowing potentially harmful chemicals into your body. Some people may see it in a form of allergies, asthma, skin irritation, or rashes, but it’s deeper than the eye can see. Your skin is your biggest organ, and a rash is simply an outward expression of an inward problem. So just because you can’t “see” a reaction doesn’t mean you aren’t absorbing these chemicals into your body and definitely doesn’t mean it’s not having an impact on your health. That’s why in this article we want to talk about why you need to switch to a cork yoga mat today.
A yoga practice is a great way to get in shape and relieve stress, but the irony is it can also be harmful to your health if you use the wrong type of yoga mat! I know, it’s crazy to even consider the fact that when we are doing something to improve our body’s strength and well-being, we could be harming it during our yoga practice. But with a little insight into what traditional yoga mats are made of, and what these harmful materials are doing to our bodies, you will have the facts on why switching to a natural yoga mat made of cork materials is a safer and healthier alternative to practicing yoga.
Synthetic rubber, PVC, parabens, phthalates, PFRs… what does it all mean?
Big companies and corporations often choose the cheapest materials to create products, and yoga mats are no different! We know, we know… it’s hard to resist a good deal, but oftentimes, cheap products come with a big price. Typically, affordable yoga mats found in most stores are made up of synthetic rubber or polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, which contains toxic chemicals that can seep into your skin during practice and cause irritation, headaches, nausea, and other short-term symptoms and even long term effects.
For starters from the point of manufacturing PVC plastics are toxic and pollute the air we breathe, and this is before it even gets to your home, so just imagine how toxic it is when coming into contact with your skin and lungs daily. Some of the most common chemicals in synthetic yoga mats are chlorine gas, mercury, ethylene chloride, parabens, phthalates, PFRs, and more. But what do all of these difficult and strange words mean for our bodies?
Parabens
Chemicals like parabens are used to keep a yoga mat from “going bad”. Parabens are a type of preservative that can be found in everything from our everyday beauty products all the way to our yoga mats. They have been used in many different common products since the 1920s, and they’re still very common today—even though they’ve been linked to a variety of sicknesses.
In fact, the European Union banned parabens back in 2013 because of research that showed they could cause skin allergies and disrupt human hormones, but the FDA hasn’t followed suit! In the last few years, parabens have been linked to thyroid disease, breast cancer, and other types of reproductive cancers.
Phthalates
Another huge red flag found in yoga mats is a group of chemicals called phthalates. They’re used to make plastics more flexible and durable, and they’re typically found in vinyl flooring, shower curtains, and other soft plastic products.
Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, or they may come into contact with food or water contaminated by these products. Your body and lungs are always in contact with your yoga mat when exercising, and sweat tends to come in contact as well, further releasing these phthalates a lot more than you realize when you’re on your yoga mat.
The problem is that phthalates are also endocrine disruptors—meaning they can mess with the way your body works by interfering with hormones like testosterone and estrogen. And that kind of hormonal disruption can cause reproductive health problems like menstrual cycle changes, infertility, and breast cancer in women, and low sperm count and testicular abnormalities in men to name a few. Hormones regulate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues. Hormones are vital to your quality of life and your health.
Not only are these chemicals and plastics harmful to your health, but they are harmful to our planet, too.
That’s right, something as simple as a traditional yoga mat is not only leaving a harmful impact on your body and health but is also increasing our carbon footprint and the amount of pollution within our atmosphere. The same chemicals that are causing problems for human health are also being released into the air when the materials are made and when they begin to break down. When these chemicals enter the environment, they not only pollute the air we breathe they also pose a risk to both human health, and wildlife, especially if they end up in waterways or oceans.
Luckily, there are eco-friendly yoga mat alternatives. They’re made with natural materials like cork instead of synthetic ones like PVC, so you don’t have to worry about how they’ll affect the planet—you can just focus on killing your workout while saving the planet!
Let’s talk about the long-term solution to enjoying a healthy, safe, and natural yoga practice.
The good news here is that there are safe alternatives out there for all-natural yoga mats, and after learning about how harmful plastic or traditional type yoga mats are for both you and the environment, we hope you’ll join the movement with us by making the choice to switch out your old yoga mat for an eco-friendly cork yoga mat. The benefits to using a cork yoga mat are endless, and the downsides… well, there are none! So, let’s make a difference together.
Let’s talk about what makes cork such an amazing natural material for yoga mats.
Cork yoga mats are made from the outer bark of cork oak trees, which makes them a sustainable and renewable resource. Cork trees can grow up to 300 years old and can be harvested every 10-15 years without harming the tree or disrupting its natural habitat. The outer bark cork is stripped, and the tree is not cut down, the bark re-grows, and is able to photosynthesis more carbon dioxide!
The cork is harvested by hand, so there is no waste or pollution created during the process. The bark is dried for about six months before it is cut into mat-sized pieces which are then pressed into shape. This creates an eco-friendly product that requires minimal processing and no chemicals to manufacture.
Cork materials are used to make many different products today. It’s an all-natural material from the Earth, and it’s also renewable, so it can be harvested without harming the environment.
Cork is used in everything from flooring to insulation. It’s also used in wine bottle stoppers, kitchenware, and as decoration on furniture and walls. In fact, cork is so popular and such a widely used and sought-after material that it was once thought to be extinct!
Durable Earth-friendly material
Crafted from the outer bark of cork oak trees, our eco-friendly cork yoga mats are durable, Similar to leather, with proper care, our yoga mat cork will show signs of use and wear, but can withstand daily exercise, breathe naturally, and are long-lasting!
Provides Optimal Comfort
Our 5mm-thick workout mat provides superior cushioning to support your exercise poses and maintain stability. With the cork’s natural molecular structure, this thick workout mat absorbs pressure while still rebounding for reduced knee sensitivity and increased balance.
Superior Grip and Sweat Friendly
Cork contains a compound called suberin. This wax-like, rubber-like quality is released with moisture. So, when moisture touches your eco yoga mat it actually creates extra grip. So instead of slipping when your hands get sweaty during a workout you actually increase your grip. With this eco-friendly yoga mat that has natural moisture-resistant properties, you can say goodbye to towel sliding and hello to steady posing, great balance, and proper form!
Hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types
Most allergies are triggered by elements found in mold, dust, and dirt, but cork is naturally hypoallergenic. It also doesn’t contain any latex or phthalates, making it ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities to other materials like PVC. The harmful toxins in everyday yoga mats can cause rashes, irritation, and itching to the skin. With cork material yoga mats, your skin will thank you for exposing it to a calming, natural material while you exercise.
Naturally anti-microbial
Cork by its nature is antimicrobial. Using a cork mat can help prevent bacteria growth. Cork has natural anti-bacterial properties as well as thermal properties that make it comfortable in both warm and cool temperatures. It will repel bacteria and fungi while still allowing your body to breathe easy. This makes it ideal for hot yoga sessions or any workout where you may sweat a lot or even a little.
Safe for Everyone
The beauty of natural materials is being worry free when it comes to your family and kids. Since natural yoga mats like cork contain no plastic, PVC, BPA, petroleum, or other nasty components you and your family can breathe easy, from meditating to sweating to playing on this mat.
Cork yoga mats are a great option for those looking for a sustainable, eco-conscious, and eco-friendly yoga mat.
Let’s do a quick recap. The finished product is durable enough to withstand use in any type of environment and stands the test of time. The naturally breathable cork material will absorb any sweat coming from your body, increase your grip and its anti-microbial properties will help it remain fresh and clean from bacteria and fungi for years.
Cork yoga mats are kind to our environment. Cork is a renewable resource because it grows back every ten years or so, and eco-friendly because no tree is ever cut down. It is also biodegradable and recyclable, which means you can toss your old cork yoga mat into your home compost pile and reduce land waste.
The natural cork material is from the Earth, so your body will enjoy the feeling of grounding as you practice yoga on a cork mat, bringing nothing but wonderful calming energy to your mind and body.
They are moisture-resistant much more than most other types of mats, which helps keep you from slipping during sweaty sessions at the gym or in hot yoga classes.
Cork yoga mats are the perfect balance of cushioning and thickness. If you want something thicker than your standard mat but don’t want to feel like you’re standing on top of unstable pillows when doing Warrior one pose, then cork might be right for you! Cork yoga mats don’t break down easily as typical yoga mats do, so they won’t lose texture and start to feel lumpy and off-balance ever. And best of all, due to the cork’s natural molecular structure the mat absorbs pressure while still rebounding for reduced knee sensitivity and increased balance. This makes them softer than most PVC mats, for better cushioning on your joints and spine during downward dog poses and other challenging poses, while keeping you secure and balanced.
Not only will you feel good while practicing yoga and meditating on all-natural, earth-friendly materials, but you can relax and practice yoga with peace of mind knowing that your skin and body are free of the harm that regular yoga mat materials can bring to your health. The earth is better off too when we use cork yoga mats, so it’s a win-win!
It’s clear to see that a cork yoga mat will benefit you in many ways, so if you’re looking for a way to make your yoga practice more comfortable and better for your body, we highly recommend switching out your old mat for our eco-friendly cork mat…If a cork yoga mat can help you breathe cleaner, reduce stress, and be kind to our planet why not give it a try?
We are proud to have designed the perfect eco-friendly yoga mat that is kind to our environment, feels like pure luxury and is durable enough to provide maximum comfort while keeping you balanced.
