faqs

Some answers to questions our readers ask (or we wish they would ask)

What’s wrong with the yoga mat I bought at [Target, Wal-Mart, TJ Maxx, Whole Foods, my local health food store]?

Unless your mat says otherwise, it is most likely made from PVC (vinyl), a plastic that has been named the most hazardous consumer product ever created. PVC is toxic throughout every stage of its lifecycle. PVC manufacturing releases toxic and cancer-causing compounds into the atmosphere during manufacture, off-gasses into our bodies during use, and when it is burned. Plus it never decomposes, making it a dangerous landfill component for thousands of years. Yes, PVC yoga mats are very cheap, but that’s only because the cost of the materials does not reflect the true cost to the environment and the health of everyone who comes into contact with it. To learn more about the dangers of PVC and the cover up about its hazards by the American Vinyl Industry, put the great movie Blue Vinyl on your Netflix queue.

If you’re concerned about lead in toys, you should be worried about PVC in yoga mats too. But even if you could care less about the environment, you will have to agree that PVC yoga mats usually feel cheap and kind of yucky to touch (especially if they’re used over and over again in a studio - blech!). Lotuspad yoga mats are made from a newly developed and patented material called TPE. We love TPE not only because it’s a great non-toxic, non-PVC, biodegradable material, but also because it simply makes a better yoga mat that’s soft, squishy, and kind of pretty (there, we said it). It’s also very hygienic thanks to its closed cell construction (meaning it does not absorb sweat or germs).

Where are your mats made?

Our first run was manufactured in China from Taiwanese materials and technology. Due to current concerns, our new line is made exclusively in Taiwan, which has far superior manufacturing standards.

Do kids really do yoga?

Yes! Kids yoga is a very real and very popular activity for all kids - from babies to teens. Apart from being a fun, healthy activity, kids yoga has very real proven benefits, including reducing stress, promoting self esteem, and even helping to alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms. Baby yoga has been shown to actually reduce colic and improve sleep.

Do kids need their own yoga mat?

Some educational philosophies believe that having materials sized appropriately for kids are better for learning and development, and we agree with this wholeheartedly! A yoga mats is like a pair of shoes, it needs to be the right fit for the person using it. Our small mats are perfect for anyone 4′ and under. Our customers tell us constantly that their children love having a yoga mat that is “their size.”

Cost is another very practical reason for buying a kids yoga mat - our mats cost far less then adult mats made from the exact same material.

Are your carry straps eco too?

Our colorful carry straps are not “eco” per se, but they are made in small batches by a local woman-owned tailor shop and not a factory somewhere overseas. We have been trying to keep the manufacturing local, which we believe is an eco-friendly option.

Why should I spend more on an eco yoga mat when I can get a cheap mat at a chain store?

Lotuspad is not a chain store, nor are we a big company funded by venture capital cash. We (and by we I mean me) are a small, mom-owned and operated shop dedicated to offering high quality, one-of-a-kind products and incredible customer service to each and every customer. You are never an order number to us, but a real person who will get a real fast response during every part of the order process.