The Yoga Space is committed to fostering sustainability in the community. There are incentives to be sustainable listed below. Also, the products offered for retail (purchasable at the Yoga Space) are mostly those that have low environmental impact. For specific information, look at some of the individual products available for purchase below or inquire for specifics.
The Yoga Space Offers a BIKE or WALK to YOGA card; if you bike or walk to yoga 9 times within a 2 month period, your 10th class is FREE. Please ask a teacher for a card at the front desk when you come in. Every time you come to class, you fill out a line, teacher initials it and you file it in the card file at the Yoga Space. Give the card to a teacher when you want to use up the 'free' class.
Traditional Yoga Sticky Mats are made from polyvinyl chloride. PVC is widely considered to be the most toxic plastic. Vinyl chloride, the base ingredient in PVC, is a known carcinogen. Those who work in PVC plants suffer elevated health risks.
Dioxins and other carcinogens are manufacturing byproducts. PVC does not bio-degrade and is very difficult to recycle. It remains in the landfill, or in the environment. When PVC is incinerated in an intended or accidental fire, it releases dioxin, hydrochloric acid and other toxins which are extremely toxic.
When making PVC mats, plasticizers are added to make to make them soft and sticky. The most common additives include lead, cadmium, and a class of chemicals called phthalates.
Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and cause many other health problems. These additives off-gas (so are breathed) and leach (go through skin) during product use, and are also known to seep into groundwater once the product goes to landfill.
I would never recommend pregnant women or children to use a PVC mat.
"Eco-Mat" Options – considering the Environment…
A) Plastic Mats: best for people with latex allergies & folks needing a thicker base.
There are generally two kinds of plastic ‘enviro-mats’, both of which do not use phthalates nor heavy metals, thus are not toxic.
(1) PER (polymer environmental resin) mats are made from PVC, but they use less toxic (food grade) plasticizers. Examples: Gaiam makes a PER mat.
(2) TPE (thermo plastic elastomer) mats are PVC-free; manufacturers say the mat is biodegradable when put under pressure and heat.
Examples: Hugger Mugger’s Earth Elements Mats (3mm, 5mm, 10mm). Prana bi color eco mat. Both brands available at the Yoga Space ($42 for the Prana, and 5mm Hugger Mugger)
B. Mats made from PER & jute, a natural fiber. Hugger Mugger’s Sattva Jute Mat (cream colored)
C. Rubber mats; harvested sustainably… these have a great density, non-slip quality and the JADE company plants a tree for every mat sold; these are exceptionally durable mats.
JADE mats ($55 for 3/16", $95 for 5/16")
D. Rugs made from organic cotton or wool. ($30); these are also great over a toxic type mat if you want to elliminate the toxic transfer potential from your mat through your skin. These also add cushioning.
Much of this information is compiled from research by Laura Cornell of Green Yoga Association. For more information, or to get involved check out www.greenyoga.org
