Yoga has been around for thousands of years, but it still holds true to its purpose, to unite the body, mind and spirit as one.
Yoga has many physical, mental and emotional benefits that include the reduction of symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.
During such an uncertain time, yoga can help us to relieve some of these symptoms and create balance in our daily lives.
How to buy eco-friendly yoga products
Whilst yoga studios are starting to re-open up and down the country, for those of us looking to start or carry on our home practice, purchasing yoga equipment can seem daunting. Especially if you want to purchase it from an ethical and sustainable brand.
There are still many products on the market such as yoga mats that are made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) which is both harmful to humans and to the environment.
However, all is not lost, there are plenty of brands and companies around the world that responsibly make environmentally friendly yoga products.
What makes a product eco-friendly?
What constitutes environmentally friendly and ethical yoga products you ask?
There are many reasons such as what the product is made from, how the materials are sourced, how its packaged and the working conditions of its own business as well as its suppliers.
Which is why you need to do some homework and not just rely on brands that use the word ‘ethical’ or ‘sustainable’ – it could everything, or nothing.
But there are many brands and businesses that follow these ethics and also contribute to protecting the planet through environmental initiatives and policies.
(For yogawear brands, check out this popular post What Makes A Fashion Brand Ethical? Here’s Everything You Need To Consider).
Scroll down to find our edit of the best eco-friendly yoga products for your practise at home.
Let us know in the comments at the bottom of the article, if you’ve got more brands to add or if you’ve used one of these brands, and what they’re like.
The Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Products
1. Yogi Bare
Eco and sustainable practices and standards are at the heart of UK based company, Yogi Bare. With strong personal and professional ethics, Yogi Bare ensures that the entire end-to-end process is in line with its mission of eco and sustainable practices and standards.
It supports the Hometree initiative, with Moy Tree Farm, an initiative to plant trees and educate on conservation.
Through the initiative, Yogi Bare plants a tree for each Wild Paws mat sold, crafted from eco friendly natural rubber. The mat boasts an impressive grip, meaning no slipping on this mat no matter how sweaty you get.
Its Bamboo Support Block is made from 100% bamboo and is biodegradable, meaning no guilt when your product is at the end of its life. All of its products are made with the sustainability and the end user at its heart
2. Complete Unity Yoga
Complete Unity Yoga was born due to a lack of sustainable and quality made yoga and meditation equipment.
With a passion for yoga and meditation the founders made it their mission to bring eco-friendly, quality fabrics and ethically, stylish crafted products to people worldwide.
It’s Natural Eco Yoga Mats are available in different colours and thicknesses and is made from natural jute fibre encased in 100% natural rubber.
Completely biodegradable and eco-friendly these mats are a great fit for all levels and for those wanting a sustainable practice.
If you’re looking to deepen your meditation practice you need a meditation cushion. Complete Unity Yoga’s Meditation Cushion are made from eco-friendly and natural materials but doesn’t compromise on comfort and stylish designs. With every order made Complete Unity Yoga plants five trees.
Find out how reading pebble can help you plant trees as well.
3. Manduka
In the yoga community, Manduka is a household name. The company was founded on the simple idea of how a yoga mat can make a meaningful difference. Still innovating and bringing new products to the market, Manduka uses natural, and whenever possible, renewable materials in its products.
Manduka eKO Series mats are made from natural rubber.
Its eko® superlite travel yoga mat is the perfect travel companion, for those trips to the park, beach or studio. Made with Catch-Grip technology the mat provides the perfect grip. The mat is also made from biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested natural tree rubber.
Cork is one of the most sustainable materials that can be used in yoga products. Manduka’s cork yoga block is made from sustainable cork making it not only eco-friendly but also solid in structure and comfortable to use.
4. Yoga Matters
Yoga Matters is the UK’s leading yoga supplier offering a wide range of yoga equipment and accessories. For Yoga Matters it’s all about collaboration and making sure their impact is a responsible once, up and down their supply chain. They are working on being a more responsible business. For
Their range of bolsters, meditation cushions and eye pillows from their Organic Cotton Collection are excellent. Produced thoughtfully in India with a long-term partner all products from its Organic Cotton Range are made from 100% GOTS certified cotton, making it a great sustainable choice to enhance your practice.
(Want to find out more about fashion’s supply chains and why organic cotton is important? Read our overview – What’s Wrong With Fast Fashion? Our 5 Min Guide Will Catch You Up).
5. Jade Yoga
Like many other brands and companies that sell eco-friendly and sustainable yoga products, JadeYoga also plants a tree for every product sold. So far it has planted over two million trees. As a business it is committed to providing environmentally friendly yoga products alongside giving back to the planet.
Alongside its more well-known eco-friendly yoga mats such as its Jade Travel Mat, JadeYoga offers Organic Cotton Mysore Yoga Rugs, ideal for all kinds of yoga.
Made from organic cotton and all-natural vegetable dyes these rugs are handwoven by rural artisans in India. JadeYoga prides itself on preserving the tradition and art form that is weaving by providing a livelihood for weavers in India. Each purchase of the rug also provides a week of hot lunches to a child in need in India.
6. Organic Apoteke
Organic wellness brand, Organic Apoteke prides itself on ethically sourced ingredients and responsible packaging.
So, it’s no surprise that it has just launched its first Eco Travel Yoga Mat.
Designed by Organic Apoteke’s founder, Dr Nitasha Buldeo, the mat is made from biodegradable materials of a natural cork surface and a natural rubber base which aids grip, even when the mat is wet.
The mat also boasts anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and is odour resistant.
7. Ekotex Yoga
Ekotex offer a range of quality yoga equipment at affordable prices and with the environment in mind. They use minimal packaging and prefer to keep things simple so you can get what really matters – yoga equipment that really works.
From April 2020, all their cotton goods moved to GOTS certified organic which ensures all staff are paid fairly and work in a safe environment. Ekotex have also partnered with Yoga Stops Traffick, an organisation in India that helps victims of human trafficking.
To top it off, Ekotex have made a deadline to only sell biodegradable yoga mats or yoga mats made from recycled materials by 2022.
Annabelle Roberts is a yoga teacher and digital marketing consultant. Based in Brighton & Hove, her free time is often taken up by teaching yoga, running, or relaxing with a good book down by the seafront. Dedicating time to her own self practice is a priority not only to deepen her own practice but also her students too.
