7 Sustainable Yoga Brands
By Lia Drake
With the series of events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for self-care and good energy is at an all-time high. For many of us, self-care means getting back to our workout regimen.
The good thing about fitness is that it can be done wherever it is most convenient and comfortable for you. You don’t need a gym membership or fancy, expensive equipment to start. A spare room or extra space in your living room can easily get the job done.
Yoga is an enjoyable form of exercise that can be done anywhere. It’s a fantastic way to focus on all areas of self-care—the mind, body, and the spirit.
So whether you decide to take a trip to the yoga studio, or better yet— your living room, we’ve created a list of sustainable yoga equipment that promotes the greatest flow of good energy during every yoga session.
Sustainable Yoga Equipment
MANDUKA
Yoga needs that save the trees
Are you having trouble finding a sustainable, high-quality yoga mat? Manduka has got you covered. Designed by trusted teachers and yogis worldwide, this brand has a wide variety of eco-friendly yoga necessities suitable for both women and men.
Sustainability Practices:
The eKO lite yoga mat is made of sustainably harvested tree rubber
Uses non-toxic foaming agents to soften the rubber
Partnered with the Renewal Workshop to create the LiveOn yoga mat recycling zero waste program
Location: United States
Price Range: $-$$
Our Picks:
Eko® Lite Yoga Mat ($78)
Yogitoes® Yoga Towel ($58)
YOLOHA
Hand-harvested, handy cork yoga mats for all
When it comes to the world of sustainable, non-slip yoga mats, we love Yoloha’s versatility. This brand has several different sustainable cork yoga mats with the cutest, earthy designs suitable for anyone. Whether you’re traveling, looking for a yoga mat for your child, or shopping for a stylish everyday mat, Yoloha has one that will leave you saying ‘om’.
Sustainability Practices:
Yoga mats are made of recycled cork and harvested by hand from the Cork Oak Tree. Cork trees are the only tree in the world that regenerates stripped bark. Approximately 6.6 million acres of cork forest extend across Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Tunisia and France. These oak forests support one of the world’s highest levels of forest biodiversity, second only to the Amazonian Rainforest.
Supports fair wages and provides over 100,000 jobs.
Uses 100% recycled and recyclable packaging
Location: United States
Price Range: $-$$
Our Picks:
Travel Cork Yoga Mat ($49)
Unity Cork Yoga Mat ($149)
YOGASANA
Handmade to perfection for mother earth’s protection
Yogasana is one of the best yoga equipment brands on the market. This brand’s yoga mats are handwoven near the birthplace of yoga by artisans in Benares, India. It is part of Yogasana’s belief that using synthetic yoga mats can potentially block natural energy flow.
An eco-friendly, handcrafted natural yoga mat allows energies to flow freely.
Sustainable Practices
All yoga mats are handwoven and dyed using high-grade cotton thread and non-toxic dye
Supports zero child labor, ethical working conditions, and workers are paid above the prevailing wage
For every mat sold, a portion is donated to the educational and financial support of the workers’ children
Location: USA
Price Range: From $$
Our Picks:
Earth Yoga Mat ($85)
Fire Yoga Mat ($85)
Sustainable Yoga Gear
GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE
A girlfriend’s best friend
Girlfriend collective is the perfect brand for women of all different shapes and sizes looking for sustainable, high-quality, active and casual wear. With this ethical brand, you get the comfort you need, the sustainability you want and the style you deserve.
Sustainable Practices
Uses recycled water bottles
All packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable
Manufactured in an eco-friendly, high-quality factory in Taiwan and Vietnam
Supports fair wages, zero child labor, and healthy working conditions
Location: Vietnam
Price Range: $
Our Picks:
Paloma Bra ($38)
NUBE
Start your workouts cute and confident
Nube is a woman-owned brand targeted towards women with a variety of trendy activewear sets. As a brand that deeply cares for our mother earth, Nube works to fight climate change. Nube’s inventory consists mainly of leggings and cropped tanks with beautiful, unique designs created by artists and designers, motivated by the environmental crisis. If you’re looking for activewear that’s sustainable yet trendy and unique, Nube may be the perfect choice for you.
Sustainable Practices:
Uses recycled polyester and fabric scraps to prevent waste
Supports fair wages and ethical working conditions
Manufactures locally to reduce the carbon footprint
100% recycled and recyclable packaging
Location: United States
Price Range: $$
Our Picks:
Artifact Legging ($95)
Artifact Crop Tank ($45)
ORGANIC BASICS
Back to the basics
You can never go wrong with the basics. Organic basics has the perfect attire for women who prefer the simpler things in life. If you find yourself having a hard time deciding on what to wear for your next yoga session, Organic Basics makes it easy. This brand features stylish, solid color activewear that’ll look amazing on anyone. Curious about what color would look best on you? Take a peek at our picks.
Sustainable Practices:
Works with trusted, certified, sustainable factory partners
Supports fair wages and ethical working conditions
Only uses natural, renewable, recycled, biodegradable and/or low-impact textiles
Location: Denmark
Price Range: $$
Our Picks:
YOGAVATED
More than just clothing
Collaborating with talented, local artists, Yogavated Athletics produces creative, limited-edition, hand-made activewear. Every product from this sustainable brand features original artwork that showcases unique meanings and motivational mantras. With their use of breathable techno-fabric to keep your skin cool and dry, this is the go-to brand for sweaty hot yoga sessions.
Location: United States
Sustainable Practices
All products are made in house by hand
Reuses material to reduce their carbon footprint
During production, this brand collects scrap material to repurpose for hang tag strings, free headbands, reusable rags, dog beds, and more.
Price Range: $$
Our Picks
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lia Drake is a talented holistic beauty and wellness writer with a continuous hunger for new knowledge and a deep appreciation for nature. She lives her life with intention, believes in placing self-care at the forefront of her priorities, and aims to contribute to the world by inspiring women to live their best lives holistically, happily, and beautifully.
