While you can use an exercise mat for yoga, there are various reasons why this isn’t the best choice. In many cases, exercise mats are specifically designed for high impact exercises, meaning that they need to be especially thick. While eco yoga mats are also cushioned, they do not need to be as thick. More important for a yoga mat is stability; your sustainable yoga mat needs to be non-slip so it won’t move around easily.

Another consideration is material. Both standard yoga and exercise mats are often made from PVC, which is not the best option if you’re looking for an eco friendly yoga mat. Instead, we would recommend a yoga mat made from sustainably sourced natural material, such as rubber or cork.

An eco friendly yoga mat shouldn’t be too thick; you’ll want to have solid contact with the floor to ensure stability during poses. A 4mm yoga mat is a popular choice, as it will give you the required stability but also some cushioning. If you want more comfort to prevent stress on joints, or practice yoga on hard surfaces, then a thicker 6mm or 8mm yoga mat would be the best choice.

Yoga mats will show signs of wear-and-tear over time so they do need to be replaced. While there is no strict rule, a natural yoga mat will last for anything from 6 to 24 months. This all depends on the quality of the mat, how often you use it, the intensity of your yoga sessions and how well it is kept clean and maintained.