PVC Does Not Belong in our Yoga Mats

When shopping around for a yoga mat, there’s a few considerations to keep in mind. One key
factor that the Red Lotus center highly believes in is to make sure your mat is made from
biodegradable materials, not just because it is environmentally responsible, but because many
non-biodegradable materials pose a health hazard to you as well. It also has the added perk of
keeping in line with the yogic principle of ahimsa, or non-violence (toward the planet.)
PVC is the main offender in terms of non-biodegradable yoga mat materials. Almost half of all
yoga mats are made from it, especially those on the cheaper end of the spectrum. It’s durable,
but it doesn’t necessarily provide the correct grip or support. Additionally, PVC is harmful at
every step of its production, and will gradually leak out from your mat at the warm temperatures
typically associated with yoga.

Consumers Advocate recently tested a few alternative materials for yoga mats. They found a
few that could be good choices either for your own personal health and comfort, or for
environmentally-conscious reasons. Many of them are mostly, if not fully biodegradable. The
following is a brief list of our findings:

● Polyurethane (PU) - This material is considerably more eco-friendly than PVC, however,
there is still the potential for environmentally-unfriendly and harmful materials to be
utilized in its manufacture. Liforme manufactures mats that have been lab-tested to show
they use eco-PU, which is fully biodegradable and non-toxic.

● Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) - This is a mix of synthetic materials such as plastics
and rubber, which means that they can be recycled. As with PU, there is the possibility
of some harmful materials to be used in its manufacture, so it’s important to do some
research into the company of your choosing.

● Polymer Environmentally Friendly Resin (PER) - This is marketed as an eco-friendly
alternative to PVC, however, lab testing showed that this is actually a PVC product,
despite all claims to the contrary. We do not recommend these types of mats for the
environmentally conscious.

● Rubber - Natural rubber is a good and eco-friendly option for yoga mats. They have
good cushioning and grip, but the ones we tested were unfortunately not very durable,
which can end up generating more waste.

● Cork - Cork is a natural and durable material for yoga mats. These types of mats go well
with almost any variant of yoga, as they provide good grip and comfort.

● Cotton - This material is arguably eco-friendly, depending on the process that is used to
produce the yoga mats, as some techniques could involve environmentally-unfriendly
materials or byproducts. It is durable, but not suited for most forms of active yoga. It has
great applications for meditative practices.

https://www. consumersadvocate.org/yoga- mats

Walking meditation is a simple way to connect with your spirit and mother earth in a very grounded way.
Many of us take the benefits of walking for granted. Each day we limit the steps we take by driving or sitting for long periods of time. But walking even a few blocks a day has unlimited benefits – not only for our health, but our spirit as well, for as we walk, we connect with the earth.

Even when walking on concrete, the earth is still beneath us, supporting us. Walking lets our body remember simpler times, when life was less complicated. This helps us slow down to the speed of our body and take the time to integrate the natural flow of life into our cellular tissue. Instead of running from place to place or thinking about how much more we can fit into our day, walking allows us to exist in the moment.

Each step we take can lead us to becoming more mindful of ourselves and our feelings. Walking slows us down enough not only to pay attention to where we are in our body, but also to our breath. Taking time to simply notice our breath while we walk, through the length of our inhales and exhales, and becoming attuned to the way in which we breathe is taking a step towards mindfulness. When we become more mindful, we gradually increase our awareness of the environment around us and start to recognize that the normal flow of our thoughts and feelings are not always related to where we are in the present moment. Gradually we realize that the connection we have with the earth and the ground beneath our feet is all that is. By walking and practicing breathing mindfully we gain a sense of calm and tranquility -- the problems and troubles of the day slowly fade away because we are in the 'now'.

The simplicity and ease of a walking practice allows us to create time, space and awareness of our surroundings and of the wonders that lie within. Taking a few moments to walk each day and become more aware of our breath will in turn open the door for the beauty of the world around us to filter in.

While walking notice your breath, don't listed to music or talk on the phone.  Simply move and be present:)

The Universe's Plan for You

BY MADISYN TAYLOR
Nothing happens in our lives, and in the world, without purpose.
The path that speeds us toward our dreams can be a challenging and complex one, so it's easy to get bogged down in confusion and insecurities. We often hesitate at the start of that path, questioning our purpose or our capabilities. Yet we should be moving forward joyously, eager to discover what destiny has in store for us. The universe has plans for us that eclipse anything we have dreamed of thus far. Though we must work diligently to fulfill our potential and to accomplish our individual missions, the universe is aware of both the quests we chose before birth and the goals we have formulated in adulthood. If we accept that it is watching over us and believe that it will facilitate our eventual success, the universe will provide us with the assistance and opportunities that enable us to make significant progress on our journeys of ambition.

Nothing happens without a purpose. Whether we attract success or repel it depends on our willingness to stay open to a wide range of possibilities and to embrace concepts like synchronicity. The universe is always ready to care for our needs, but we must not write off its loving attention as mere circumstance or chance. Likewise, we must endeavor to ensure that our egos do not become a barrier that prevents us from recognizing that even perceived mistakes and strife can be profound lessons that smooth the progress of personal evolution. When we understand that we only need to enthusiastically try our best to realize our objectives, the universe will take care of the details, propelling us forward in its unstoppable current. We may not always immediately understand the significance of certain experiences, but our trust will help us choose wisely at each crossroads.

The universe wants to see you accomplish your goals. No matter how long you've dallied or hesitated, it will always be there to put its plan for you in motion at the first sign of your faith. You can make the most of this aid by acquiescing to it rather than fighting it--nurture your dreams but do not attempt to micromanage every detail along the way. The universe will provide you with guidance and, if you heed that guidance, you will find your formerly stressful quest for success will become a journey of great joy.

Apologies

BY MADISYN TAYLOR
If we can remember that our response to others is important, we can realize that trust and forgiveness go hand-in-hand.

In life there will always be times when we are affected by the actions of another person. When this happens, we often receive an apology. More often than not we say, "It's alright," or "It's okay," and by saying this we are allowing, accepting, and giving permission for the behavior to happen again. When we say "thank you," or "I accept your apology," we are forced to sit in our feelings rather than ignore them.

There are many of us who feel that it is easier to brush off how we really feel than to express our discomfort with something that has happened to us. While this may initially seem like the best thing to do, what it really does is put us into an unending pattern of behavior; since we are not honest with another person, we continue the cycle of letting them overstep our emotional limits time and time again. By doing this we place ourselves in the position of victim. We can put an end to this karmic chain by first acknowledging to the other person that we accept their request for forgiveness; often a simple "thank you" is enough. To truly create a greater sense of harmony in our relationship, however, we need to gently, and with compassion, express our innermost concerns about what has transpired. By taking a deep breath and calling upon the deepest parts of our spirit, we can usually find the right words to say and verbalize them in a way that lets the other person recognize the consequences of what they have done.

If we can remember that our response to others is important, we can begin to realize that trust and forgiveness go hand in hand. And when we react in a way that engenders a greater amount of honesty and candor, we will establish a more positive and empowering way of being and interacting others.

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Apologies

BY MADISYN TAYLOR
If we can remember that our response to others is important, we can realize that trust and forgiveness go hand-in-hand.
In life there will always be times when we are affected by the actions of another person. When this happens, we often receive an apology. More often than not we say, "It's alright," or "It's okay," and by saying this we are allowing, accepting, and giving permission for the behavior to happen again. When we say "thank you," or "I accept your apology," we are forced to sit in our feelings rather than ignore them.

There are many of us who feel that it is easier to brush off how we really feel than to express our discomfort with something that has happened to us. While this may initially seem like the best thing to do, what it really does is put us into an unending pattern of behavior; since we are not honest with another person, we continue the cycle of letting them overstep our emotional limits time and time again. By doing this we place ourselves in the position of victim. We can put an end to this karmic chain by first acknowledging to the other person that we accept their request for forgiveness; often a simple "thank you" is enough. To truly create a greater sense of harmony in our relationship, however, we need to gently, and with compassion, express our innermost concerns about what has transpired. By taking a deep breath and calling upon the deepest parts of our spirit, we can usually find the right words to say and verbalize them in a way that lets the other person recognize the consequences of what they have done.

If we can remember that our response to others is important, we can begin to realize that trust and forgiveness go hand in hand. And when we react in a way that engenders a greater amount of honesty and candor, we will establish a more positive and empowering way of being and interacting others.

PRINT
 

SAVE
 

DISCUSS
 

 
No one ever said that committing to a daily yoga and meditation practice was easy. I can attest to that. For many years, I casually practiced yoga, solely relying on taking classes in person. As for my meditation practice? It was non-existent. It wasn’t until I took my yoga teacher training, that I finally felt comfortable practicing at home. I finally understood the different poses and transitions and had learned how to meditate. But even after my teacher training, it was still challenging to find consistency in a daily practice. Through my experience, I have brought together the following guidelines that will help you find your way to consistency and flow in your own daily practice.

 
1.)  Figure out what you need in a practice
First you must discover what you want your practice to look like. What are you capable of within your time constraints and daily schedule? Are you only able to practice at home? Do you want to practice at a studio five days a week? Do you meditate in the morning or before bed? What works for you?

 
I’ve found that I can’t solely rely on my home practice, otherwise I’m left feeling uninspired. As a yoga teacher, I will always remain a student. But I’ve also found that I can’t solely rely on taking yoga classes at a studio either. I need solo practice time to truly explore the needs of my body, while I also need to practice in an encouraging community setting at a studio. After months of trial and error, I’ve finally found balance and rhythm within my own personal yoga practice. Figure out what you want your practice to look like, and stick to it, every day.

 
2.)  Listen to your intuition
Yoga is not a practice of force. If your body is aching from yesterday’s challenging practice, listen to your body and honor it. In this case, you might choose to go easy on yourself with gentle, restorative postures.  My home practice doesn’t always look like an hour to myself practicing Vinyasa. Sometimes it does. But most days, it just looks like intuitive movement. I come into my sacred space, I tune into my body and breath, and I move intuitively. I take as long as I want or need. Sometimes it’s only 10 minutes, sometimes it’s 30, sometimes an hour. It’s impractical to force yourself to the same challenging Vinyasa or Ashtanga practice for an hour every day, though this does work for some people. Take the time to connect with your body, and listen to what it needs, instead of forcefully doing something you feel like you “should” be doing. Listen to your intuition, and your body will thank you for it.

 
3.)  Be disciplined, dedicated, and devoted
Overall, if you want to commit to a daily yoga and meditation practice, it’s important to be disciplined, dedicated, and devoted.

 
Being disciplined in your practice means that you keep practicing, even when you don’t feel motivated. Instead of scrolling through your phone, or watching just one more episode, stay strong and choose your daily practice. While I find it’s best to be intuitive and in the flow day to day, that doesn’t mean you should skip a practice or only find time here or there. A daily practice is just that: practicing every day. It’s better to practice for only ten to twenty minutes every day, than for an hour once a week.

 
Being dedicated means that you make your practice your priority. That means that self-care, self-love, and filling up your cup are of utmost importance to you. If you care about your physical, mental and spiritual well-being, then you must dedicate yourself to your practice, realize how important your practice really is, and grasp the life-changing impact it will have.

 
Being devoted means that you intentionally and consciously choose to commit to your daily practice, because your yoga practice is sacred. We must make a sacrifice, giving something up, in order to be devoted. You will likely have to give up time you could spend doing something else. You might give up self-limiting mindsets that are blocking you from living out your true potential. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual dance with the Divine. What are you willing to give up in order to commit to your sacred practice?

 
Conclusion
It may not be easy, but it is worth it. No practice looks the same, so find your own authentic rhythm and flow and be consistent. Keep returning to your mat, even when you don’t want to. Go easy on yourself. Maybe your practice looks like an hour long Savasana! That’s okay. Maybe your practice looks like Ashtanga everyday. That’s okay too! We’re all different, what’s right for you might not be right for me. So, tune into your own body’s wisdom, and give it the daily practice that it needs. Be intentional. Commit to a daily yoga and meditation practice to honor your body, mind and spirit, and create harmony from within. Through discipline and devotion, you will find liberation and union.

 
Do you have a daily yoga and meditation practice? What does your practice look like and how do you stay committed?

Much love & namaste! ♡

Kristen Malek:

You can find more from Kristen at createloveandharmony.com