TPE foam mat is free of toxins such as PVC and latex
Biodegradable if left uncovered and exposed to sunlight
May be recyclable in your area
Closed-cell construction means your mat won't soak up perspiration or other liquids
Patterned surface adds extra traction
The use of TPE, or Thermal Plastic Elastomer, means that this mat from Hugger Mugger is non-toxic and free of PVC, latex, and other chemicals. TPE is biodegradable if left to nature's devices and recyclable in many parts of the country. A patterned design gives you extra traction on the floor and a closed-cell construction ensures the mat won't soak up perspiration or other liquids.
This review is from: Earth Elements Yoga Mat
I've been practicing Jivamukti-style (an ashtanga flow) yoga twice a week for about six years. My previous mat was an Ultra version, 1/4" thick. Getting used to this thinner mat was a bit of an adjustment; you sink down into the thicker mat, which helps keep you from sliding, for example in downward dog (more on this below). But having to work harder to hold the pose is actually a good thing because it will only make my hands, arms, legs, and core stronger. And I love the look of the mat. It's a very pretty shade of purple, with lavender on the reverse. The subtle raised pattern is lovely and helps me align my feet in warrior pose. I suppose it improves the traction, too. The best thing is that it's nontoxic and biodegradable. Since the philosophy of yoga is to do no harm to others and to increase positive energy in the world, it really makes sense to have an eco-friendly mat. I didn't want to get rubber or latex, however, because I have sensitive skin and mild asthma, and I was worried that those materials might not agree with me. Nor did I want a cloth mat that would need frequent washing, as I live in an apartment with no space to dry a mat. So I was thrilled to discover this new type. No nontoxic materials are used in the manufacturing process. The packaging said to lay it flat for a day to allow any residue to dissipate, but I didn't detect any odor. (You know that "new-mat smell" you get from typical PVC mats? You're breathing in gases from volatile organic compounds, which are believed to be bad for your health; do a Google search for PVC dangers.) When I first started using this mat, I was sliding quite a bit. Like I said, it does make some poses where your hands can tend to slip, like downward dog or full wheel, slightly more challenging. But the amount of traction is probably roughly equivalent to a standard-thickness (1/8") PVC mat. This one is 5mm, which is .19" (to compare, 1/8" is .125" and 1/4" is .25"). Hugger Mugger sells a 15mm version, and a 10mm version is coming in Feb. 2007 according to their website. If your hands get sweaty, or you are new to the practice and have yet to develop your arm and hand strength, you will probably slide, and you might want to try a thicker one (the price goes higher, of course). Now that I'm used to it, it's not really a problem. And I do think that the 5mm level of thickness provides better support for balancing poses. The material is susceptible to wear; the spot where my toes land when I jump back into plank pose or chattaranga (push-up position) shows some abrasion already after only a couple of months. That happens with PVC, too, though. It's a good idea to keep your toenails well trimmed and filed smooth, but I guess in the winter I sometimes let them go a bit. If it weren't for the abrasion, I'd give 5 stars. Still, I hope to be using this mat regularly for at least a year and hopefully much longer. When it gets too worn, I'll flip it over to the other side and it will be like having a brand-new mat, especially because of the different color. It's more expensive than a basic mat, but I think it's definitely worth the cost. For the price of two or three yoga classes, you can get a mat that is better for you and for the Earth!...
This review is from: Earth Elements Yoga Mat
I've been practicing yoga off and on for a number of years. Once I heard about the harmful characteristics of PVC--both in production and use (google it), I started looking into alternative materials for yoga mats.
I first bought a rubber mat. It initially had a strong odor, and started falling apart very quickly; within a 6 months, it was unusable, and before that it left little crumbs after every class. It was less slippery than the PVC mats, but it didn't seem all that cost-efficient, given the fact that it lasted such a short period of time.
This mat is honestly the best I have ever used. Like rubber, the mat is eco friendly and not nearly as slippery as a pvc mat when I sweat. Unlike the rubber mat, however, this one did not have a funky smell, and looks just about as new as it did when I bought it. For the experienced yogi, or at least one who doesn't have a particularly sensitive spine, the mat is certainly thick enough. The extra length is great for those of us on the slightly tall side; my downward dog doesn't bump into the edges of the mat, and I remain entirely on the mat in corpse pose (I'm 5'8", which isn't super tall, but standard mats seem to be made for people 5'5" or so).
These mats aren't cheap, but this purchase was certainly worth eating in 3 more times than usual!
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This review is from: Earth Elements Yoga Mat
I have been using the Earth Elements 3mm mat for about 2 years in vinyasa and anusara classes. It has a dense cushion, but is lightweight, and won't slip around on a hardwood floor during vinyasa. I like the 3mm thickness, but I do have to double it over to do headstand.
It has been a good mat, but it's not as durable as I would have hoped. It has not laid flat on the floor for about a year. Instead it has ripples along it's long edges, I guess due to constant stretching during downward dog and other poses. When I first unroll it, it will roll back up on me unless I fold under the top edge and weigh it down with my towel.
I am getting joked about my mat in yoga class, because it looks so pitiful. Guess that's when you know it's time for a different mat.
I'd recommend this mat to someone looking for a lightweight, eco-concious mat, who will not be doing a vigorous practice. It was a bit slippery in the beginning, but broke in very quickly.
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