The Yoga Mat – A Sustainable Option

Downward dog? 

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I received a yoga mat as a Christmas gift a few years ago. It’s probably one of the best presents I’ve been given. The shape of it wrapped up under the tree still amuses me. I’ve recently been gifted another yoga mat, this time a sustainable version. It’s a beautiful natural rubber and jute mat from Complete Unity Yoga.

There is a big difference between natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is tapped from trees in the form of latex whereas synthetic rubber is made from the byproduct of petroleum and is used for everything from car tyres to window seals. Natural rubber is better for the planet if harvested sustainably although it does have different properties from synthetic.

It would make a great Christmas gift for the yogi in your life. It’s a heavier mat than I’ve had before and doesn’t slip around the floor. This is the autumn plum colour for reference. I’ve also been eyeing up their meditation cushions and bolsters, although I’m not sure how much use I would get out of them at home.

For yoga themed stocking fillers, these eye pillows would be great. They are handmade and filled with linseed and lavender, perfect for relaxing yin yoga. Aka lying on the floor and falling asleep which is my favourite type of yoga! These ones come in a gift box with herbal tea bags or this box has oil and cream for the pulse points and a decoration for the tree. This wildflower cork yoga block would also be a cute gift. Cork is a more sustainable alternative rather than some of the foaming yoga blocks available. The cork itself is part of the bark of a tree, usually grown in Portugal and is harvested every nine years without actually harming the tree.

The coat I’m wearing in the images is vintage, I found it on eBay a few years ago. It’s a beautiful wool coat with a fancy shoulder detail that I love. The black and white herringbone is a classic. I keep meaning to scour eBay for another vintage coat but never seem to get around to it. I’d love to find a long camel coat but camel varies in colour so I’m always put off buying it online secondhand. *I’ve just had a quick look on Vestaire and like the look of this one, although it looks more brown than camel coloured. The fuzzy material gives it a cute dressing gown vibe.

Fancy more reading? What about the puffy coat?

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