Eco-Friendly Yoga Props: The Future of Mindful Movement

Andy Turner, ND
Mar 16, 2023
7 min read

Updated: Oct 8, 2024

Bolsters, Blocks, and Beyond: Choosing Sustainable Yoga Props

by Andy Turner

Whether you're a seasoned yoga practitioner looking to make the switch to more sustainable accessories or you're about to start your yoga journey, choosing eco-friendly yoga props is an important step towards a more mindful and compassionate practice that cares for the planet. Yoga props like mats, bolsters, and blocks are often considered essential tools for many practitioners, but they can also be harmful to the environment.

That's why choosing eco-friendly yoga props is an important step towards a more sustainable practice that shows respect for the earth. Not only do these products reduce our impact on the environment, but they also support ethical and socially responsible businesses. In this article, we'll explore some of the best eco-friendly yoga props available, including mats, bolsters, blocks, and more. Plus, we'll share some creative substitutes you can use in place of traditional props.

Hiding in Plain Sight: The Environmental Impact of Conventional Yoga Props

It's time to lift the veil on a well-kept secret: many conventional yoga props are made from unsustainable materials that contribute to environmental degradation. The global yoga mat market was worth USD 14.57 billion in 2022. Unfortunately, many of these mats are made synthetic materials that can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to decompose in landfills, all the while leaching harmful chemicals into the ground. Yoga props are also seldom recycled, as the material is challenging to deal with, making them a significant source of waste that harms the planet, and even our own health.

While yoga mats are marketed to be soft and hygienic, they can contain high levels of hazardous chemicals that can cause serious health problems. The chemicals, such as PVCs, phthalates, and heavy metals, have been known to cause asthma, respiratory problems, cancer, testicular damage, infertility, and reduction in sperm count (1-4). Phthalates are also particularly dangerous to pregnant women as they can cause problems for the embryo (3). In addition, the manufacturing of these mats releases high quantities of chemicals that are dangerous to workers in these companies. For example, PVC is known to be a highly unsustainable material that requires an energy-intensive production using chlorine gas. This process also produces dioxins, a chemical that can cause reproductive, and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones, and cause cancer (5).

But, wait! There's more... It's not just our health and the environment that's being compromised, either - the mass production of these items in factories with poor working conditions and low wages raises ethical concerns.

Careful Considerations

Certainly, making the switch to eco-friendly yoga props is a wise choice, considering the adverse effects of conventional yoga accessories on both human health and the environment. However, even when opting for "eco-friendly" yoga props, we must approach the decision with careful consideration.

Some manufacturers make misleading claims about their products without any credible certification or testing, which can be confusing and frustrating for consumers. For example, lab testing has found that companies claiming to have "eco-friendly" products such as PER or recycled wetsuits are still full of harmful materials. Even cork and other natural materials can pose an ecological and ethical dilemma. While these materials are often marketed as eco-friendly, their production processes can have negative impacts on the environment.

The production of cork, for instance, can require significant amounts of water, energy, and transportation, which can contribute to carbon emissions. Additionally, harvesting cork oak trees can damage the trees and disrupt their natural ecosystem. Similarly, the production of cotton and jute, which are other natural materials used for yoga props, can require large amounts of water, pesticides, and chemicals. The manufacturing of natural yoga props may also involve exploitative labor practices or unethical sourcing of materials.

In addition to the product itself, we must also consider the manufacturing and transportation processes.

The production of eco-friendly yoga props in ethical conditions, with fair labor practices, is an essential factor to consider. It is also crucial to ensure that the production processes are energy-efficient and minimize the carbon footprint. Furthermore, long-distance transportation of goods can significantly contribute to carbon emissions and harm the environment. Opting for locally produced products whenever possible can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and promote ethical and fair labor practices

Choosing eco-friendly yoga props can be a responsible change we can make to reduce our impact on the environment, support ethical businesses, and enhance the overall quality of our yoga practice. Let's not let these secrets of the industry hold us back from making a positive impact on the planet.

The High Cost of Eco-Friendly Yoga Props

It's important to acknowledge that while choosing eco-friendly yoga props is a responsible change, the high price point of these products may make it an inaccessible choice for some individuals. Many people may feel discouraged by the idea that they can't afford to make sustainable choices for their practice, but it's important to remember that every small change can make a difference.

We've compiled a list of suggested eco-friendly yoga accessories to support your practice, but we understand that these products may not be affordable for everyone. It's important to prioritize your financial well-being and make choices that are sustainable for you in the long run. Remember that yoga accessories are always optional purchases and can be substituted with common household items such as blankets, pillows, even couch cushions! Don't be afraid to get creative and share your favorite substitutions in the comments below.

If you are able to make a financial contribution towards supporting yoga accessibility, we encourage you to consider donating to Give Back Yoga. This organization helps yoga teachers, health workers, and charitable organizations offer yoga classes and mats to those in need, including veterans, prisoners, and individuals facing mental and physical illness. Every donation helps to make yoga more accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Yoga Props:

Before going out and purchasing new eco-friendly yoga props, we urge you to use products you might already have around the house! Need a bolster? Try folding and stacking several blankets as a substitute. How about a belt? Try a neck tie or towel. If this isn't working for you, we highly encourage you to source used and local products.

Below is a list of suggested accessories to help support your practice. Links to affiliate websites have been carefully chosen for their eco-friendly, sustainable products and ethical practices.

1. Mats:

Sea Lover Studio Signature Series Yoga Mats are custom made hand-dyed in the USA by a woman-owned company from 100% cotton.
EmpoweringLocalWomen uses recycled sari fabrics to create these beautiful yoga mats. The Empowerment Collective is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating exploited labor, forced marriage and extreme poverty. They are a fair trade, eco-conscious collective of women who create unique fashion and decor in Nepal. Products ship from a small business in Portland, Oregon.
Oko Living Herbal Dyed Yoga Mats are made from ethically produced raw organic cotton that is naturally bleached with zero chemicals, then dyed with medicinal Ayurvedic plants and hand-woven by artisans who are all paid fair wages. The bottoms are coated with natural tree rubber to prevent slipping. Products are hand-loomed by women artisans in India with healthy working conditions and fair wages and the organization is based out of Portland, Oregon, USA.

2. Bolsters:

Butterfly Bolster Covers are hand-made in the USA by a small, woman-owned business. These covers come empty and encourage purchasers to fill with home products such as old pillow materials, blankets, or Buckwheat Hulls purchased from your local market.
Shakti Warrior Cork Bolsters are made of high quality sustainable cork fabric, cotton liner and recycled non-toxic filler. Partnering with the Institute of Learning, Culture and Art, Shakti Warrior provides jobs to socially disadvantaged women in India, who are paid high wages and given nutritious food and health care.
Harda Ayurvedic Yoga Bolsters are on the pricy end, but made with 100% ethically sourced raw organic cotton that is hand-loomed and medicinally dyed in Harda and infused with 22 different Ayurvedic herbs and medicines. The Bolster is filled with organic buckwheat hulls for amazing support and lavender to help keep you calm and peaceful while stretching.

3. Blocks:

Carolina Morning Earth Friendly Yoga Blocks are firmly stuffed cloth yoga blocks which performs at least as well as the toxic foam blocks and are easier on the environment than cork and bamboo. These products are made in the USA using meticulously sourced, domestically produced and local/regional materials as often as possible.
SloFlo Personalized Cedar Yoga Blocks are handmade from reclaimed natural cedar wood by a woman-owned and operated company in Mississauga, Canada. Check out their other products including yoga mats, bolsters, eye pillows and more!

Making the switch to eco-friendly yoga props is not only good for the environment, but it can also enhance your practice. By choosing sustainable materials, you're reducing your carbon footprint and supporting companies that prioritize environmental and social responsibility. Additionally, using eco-friendly props can help you feel more connected to the earth and to the practice of yoga.

Remember, making a change doesn't happen overnight, and every step counts. So, whether you're choosing an eco-friendly mat or experimenting with DIY props, you're making a positive impact on the planet.

About the Author:

Dr. Andy Turner is a certified yoga teacher with advanced training in yoga philosophy and psychology. She is also a Naturopathic Doctor and is the heart behind AndyND . Andy has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She has taught private and community classes in Portland, Oregon and Sitka, Alaska for adults and children. Her favorite classes to teach are those she designs for beginners. To learn more about Dr. Turner’s practice and her approach to natural, patient-centered care, visit her full bio here.

"There is nothing like seeing that 'A-HA!' moment when a new student realizes yoga is more than being able to touch your toes - that it is truly a powerful medicine for our body, mind and heart."

Check out Andy's full bio to learn more about her connection to yoga and natural medicine.