How to Go Green: Yoga Clothes

Yoga is all about being in union with the subtler inner self and cannot be truly practiced unless you are in complete harmony with your ecosystem. Yoga presupposes a conscientious lifestyle with respect for nature and natural resources. So yoga practitioners have a true incentive to go green with eco-friendly yoga accessories like green yoga clothes, green yoga mats and green yoga props.

Concentration and meditation in yoga advocate constant awareness of the self and the surroundings. Accordingly, conscious awareness of how we impact our surroundings is a part of the practice. Conventionally produced natural fabrics use heavy pesticides and insecticides which affect the eco-system and our health. Artificial fabric processing also uses many chemicals that damage the environment.

Making a switch to go green is easy. You can buy eco-friendly yoga clothes made with a natural fabric like organic cotton. These clothes are usually very durable and allow for complete flexibility and extension of your body without compromising the look and feel. Cotton also allows your clothes to breathe - this allows your skin to have a constant supply of fresh air.

You can buy eco-friendly yoga mats which do not use materials like latex, chlorides, phthalates and heavy metals which are toxic to the environment and your health. Many green yoga mats are made with biodegradable materials or natural fibers like jute or rubber.

Green yoga props like blocks are made from cork or bamboo and offer a superior alternative to using wood or non-degradable plastics.

You can also use eco-friendly cushions or blankets in your yoga and meditation practice. Many stores sell organic cotton and cruelty-free wool blankets. Cushions filled with organic buckwheat and covered with organic cotton or hemp are good replacements for artificial materials that are harmful to the environment.

You can find these products in many online stores. Here is a small list.

• Zafu offers a wide range of eco-friendly yoga products including clothes, cushions and mats.

• Gaiam is another online outlet that offers a huge range of green yoga and fitness accessories.

• Manduka sells green yoga mats, props, bags and towels.

Many of these stores also sell their products through Amazon. The cost of going green with yoga accessories is not prohibitive. Expect a 10%-20% markup for green yoga clothes and accessories over their conventional counterparts.