Yoga with Em

I’ve been researching yoga mats for a while now and I’ve finally found one I can happily and confidently recommend to you. Well I’ll give you my top 4 recommendations actually. I wanted to find a New Zealand product or producer, a yoga mat that will last many, many years, a yoga mat that will perform well and make you want to get on the mat and just do some yoga, a mat that is as natural as possible, a mat that doesn’t cost the earth. Lastly must by no means last on list of importance, is the mat should be ‘kind to the environment’. Both in the way it is made and the materials it is made from, as well as being bio-degradable.

My top recommendation and the one I have invested in for my daily yoga practice is the Tribe EarthMe mat made from 100% natural tree rubber and jute (I personally have gone with the Olive green colour option). It’s from a NZ company, it’s 100% natural, earth friendly, biodegradable and sustainable. It’s one of those mats that feels great to practice on and it’s one that’s going to last. It’s really quite ‘grippy’ (sorry not sure that’s an official term). Its price is reasonable too, for a mat that’s going to last the distance.

The second mat I simply adore, and is more of a personal treat, is the Move to Wool yoga mat. I spend a lot of time on the yoga mat these days and heading into the colder months I have the need to feel warm and comfortable. I use this mat when I’m practicing yin yoga, restorative yoga and yoga nidra at home or when I’m guiding yin yoga or meditation sessions. The Move To Wool mat is made in New Zealand from 100% pure NZ wool mat is the best I’ve seen on the market. Not only it is just so luxuriously cosy to practice on, it’s 100% natural, 100% biodegradable and 100% sustainable. I have come across a few woollen mats but this is by far the best I’ve found. It’s made with minimal processing whilst it both looks and feels amazing. The perfect excuse to get on the mat this winter. It’s not a cheap option though so perhaps start making those hints for a special gift… or simply make it a gift to yourself.

So my last two recommendations in yoga mats. For those people particularly keen to practice on a cork yoga mat then the Valka Yoga Cork mat is my advice. I have seen some other cork yoga mats that split or perish quickly. This particular cork mat is good quality, it’s of course a natural material, it’s non-slip and this particular mat is also quite comfortable. It’s not a cheap option but it’s certainly good value. It comes with easy to follow, simple care instructions too which I love.

Finally, for the best entry-level mat that the cheapest of the 4 options is the Tribe ReGen. It looks like the most traditional yoga mat material of the 4 options. Again it’s a New Zealand yoga brand, its made from up to 50% recycled and reclaimed materials so is earth friendly in that respect. It’s also ‘grippy’ and thick enough to be comfortable. It’s also lighter weight than the EarthMe and Valka Yoga Cork mats.

All of these yoga mats will be available for you to buy through my yoga shop page soon. If you’re at the stage where you’re keen to upgrade your mat, you can send me a message and I can get one of these fabulous mat to you.

Namaste