With the rise in plastic consumption over the years, choosing an eco-friendly lifestyle has become of utmost importance. Over the years more and more people are moving towards yoga to lead a healthy lifestyle. Due to the increased popularity of yoga, the consumption of yoga mats and other related materials have increased too. But the question is “Are these yoga mats and props, earth-friendly?”
Yoga has several health benefits but practicing it in a manner that is not Earth-friendly can affect you because what we give to the environment is what we get back. This applies to every individual and not a yoga practitioner alone. We have become so dependent on the use of non-recyclable materials that it is difficult for us to throw it from our lives at once but we can do our bits step by step.
If you think your yoga is not Earth-friendly, the following points can help you so that you can make a conscious effort while including yoga in your life and doing your bit for Mother Earth.
- Yoga Mats: Maximum numbers of yoga mats are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), release vinyl chloride (carcinogen), and other substancesthat may contribute to a number of health problems.
Earth-friendly alternatives of yoga mats can be used which are generally made up of cotton, jute, natural rubber and recycled materials. This will be a healthier option towards doing our bit to ourselves and Mother Earth.
- Yoga Strap: It helps to provide support, alignment and posture while performing yoga asanas. You should be careful while choosing a yoga strap. It is generally made up of cotton with an adjustable metal ring which are eco-friendly and recyclable. You can also make your own DIY (Do it yourself) yoga strap using eco friendly materials if you are not able to find one.
- Cutlery: Cut down the use of cutlery made up of plastic and paper. Try to include cutlery made up of copper, brass, and clay in your life. You must have heard how people in the older days used to store water in clay pots to keep it cool as there were no refrigerators. Cooking and eating food in copper and brass utensils have various health benefits including its Earth-friendly nature. Many yogis are promoting storing of water in copper utensils because of its health benefits.
This could be new to you but edible cutlery has been invented in India by Narayana Peesapati. These cutlery items can be eaten after eating with it and are Earth-friendly
- Reduce wastage: Every kind of wastage should be reduced from your life whether it is food, clothes, paper or other materials. Try to buy limited things to avoid clutter in your life. Donate things after its use to you is over but it should be in a good condition considering the fact that someone else will be using it.
Yoga teaches us how to connect with ourselves and the world around us. This means we should stay as close to the nature and make conscious efforts by not hampering it as what goes around comes around. Imagine doing pranayama in a polluted environment! It would be suggested not to do breathing exercises in such an environment as we will be doing more harm than good to our bodies.
If you are a yoga enthusiast and want to make it your career, then 200 hour yoga teacher training in Nepal is your calling. You will be awarded with Yoga certification in Nepal which will allow you to practice and teach yoga anywhere and everywhere.
“The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind.” – Rodney Yee. Yoga Retreat in Nepal
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