Certified yoga instructor Isabella Samovsky of Solay Wellness in Skokie, Illinois solves some confusion over the appropriate eco mat for the right yoga practice.
The cotton mats her company offers are mostly for hatha yoga exercises, yet also good for therapy, meditation and floor classes that don’t require too much flow. Isabella says a cotton mat can be used by itself and is perfect for the shavasana (also known as corpse or savasana) pose. It rolls up nicely for storage and travel. It’s also a good size for mom and baby together.
Isabella’s hatha mat is made with an unbleached, chemical-free cotton shell. It is stuffed with pure, natural, untreated cotton batting and is hand tufted. Yet other yoga styles require a sticky mat.
For practices like vinyasa, ashtanga and bikram, only a sticky mat can offer grip and slide resistance for good traction of hands and feet. Advanced students like a thinner mat for easier balancing while beginners and seniors like a thicker sticky mat with more cushion to support for their wrists and feet.
Isabella’s choice sticky mat is made from natural rubber, — not PVC. Both individual buyers and retailers may contact Isabella for either cotton or sticky green mats.
Past and present yogis can get creative when it comes to recycling. Whether green or PVC mats, there are numerous ways to ease landfill burdens. Pad area rugs, furniture, appliances, china shelves, and more. I know a caterer who carries her old mat to gigs. It comforts her feet on concrete floors.
Form and Fauna creates beautiful shoes from sustainable materials. They utilize recycled yoga mats for their insoles and lining. Another company, OlovesM, produces eco-sensational bags in all shapes and sizes from recycled mats.
Wow, think of the possibilities! Comments of recycled creative uses for homes, designing and manufacturing are invited.
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