Is your Yoga practice toxic?

Most people take up yoga for their health and happiness - to feel good. But did you know you may be exposing yourself to potentially toxic chemicals in your plastic yoga mats and putting your health and the environment at risk? Let's delve into the facts.

Yoga mats are commonly made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a material infamous for its environmental and health hazards. With over 40 million tonnes of PVC churned out annually worldwide, its popularity is understandable - it's cheap, grippy, lightweight, and flexible. However, there's a dark side to PVC: it poses risks throughout its entire lifecycle, from manufacturing, during use and again when disposed of. The raw materials for PVC, derived from salt and petroleum, are infused with a cocktail of additives, including heavy metals like lead. During use, PVC can leach toxic substances like phthalates, which are harmful to both health and the environment. Even worse, PVC cannot be safely recycled and continues emitting toxins even in landfills or incinerators.

Alternatives to PVC include yoga mats made from Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE), a blend of synthetic polymers like rubber and plastic. While TPE mats are free from notorious toxins such as BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalates, their ingredients often remain vague and require thorough human testing.

When selecting a yoga mat, we suggest opting for mats that are PVC-free, sustainably sourced, and compostable or biodegradable.

At The Conscious Store, our cork yoga mats offer a sustainable and toxin-free solution. Crafted from responsibly sourced cork and natural tree rubber, our mats are free from PVC, TPE, silicones, and phthalates. The cork and rubber are joined through heat (no toxic glues), and printed with non-toxic inks free of lead, phthalates, cadmium, and mercury. Our mats ensure a safe and environmentally-friendly yoga practice.