// Choosing a Yoga Mat with Confidence #OEKO-TEX
One of the biggest sentiments I carry with me regarding thoughtful living, is that the knowledge about products we use in and around our lives is just as important as what we put in and on our bodies. After living on an organic produce farm and writing about conscious living in my twenties, I’ve always kept an eye to the quality of products I bring into my home and life, including items I use for my yoga practice.
There is no denying the overlap of health and safety when it comes to people and the planet. Though I know this can all seem overwhelming at times, I’m a huge proponent of small things often. As we learn and understand the impact of the materials in products we use, we can make small choices that can add up to a much bigger impact.
Thankfully for all of us, there are certifications such as OEKO-TEX® that provides a solution that can benefit our lives. I know many of us are aware of the hazards of ingesting chemicals, yet rarely think about the potential constant contact of chemicals through clothes and home goods. This can include your yoga mat. Considering my long history with yoga mats, I’m no stranger to different kinds of mats. I’m asked often about the best mats, and I take into consideration quality, size, shape, and material when making my decision. I’ve always said the Manduka PRO mats that have been certified with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® label are the top pick. Looking for the OEKO-TEX® label ensures I can choose and recommend a yoga mat that is safe for our bodies with confidence.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is one of the world’s best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances, certifying that the final product and each of the components (from fabrics, to buttons, to other accessories) has been rigorously tested for chemicals toxic to humans. You might have already seen this label and not known fully what this certification meant (check out this pillow I recently bought as I saw the label and knew I could trust keeping this on my bed or using it for a bolster in restorative yoga!)
Knowledge is power and seeing the OEKO-TEX® label can help us all find products that have been determined to be safe to have in our homes and super close to our bodies.