Explore. Grow. Yoga.
WHY CORK??
Cork has numerous advantages over the typical synthetic mats that dominate the yoga world.
First, cork gets more grippy with moisture - meaning you can hold those tough poses and make seamless transitions between movements during hot yoga, high intensity practices or other workouts without sliding an inch. NO MORE SLIP!
Second, cork is a natural anti-microbial which means no more stanky odours that accompany synthetic mats. The mat stays clean, with a naturally fresh smell - even if you forget to wash it down! And in an increasingly germ-conscious world, the added antimicrobial action will keep unwanted bacteria and bugs away!
Third, cork is an incredibly sustainable material. It is harvested from cork tree bark, without ever touching the inner trunk. This means the same tree can be re-harvested every 9 years without hurting it. So no trees are harmed in the process, meaning they can live their full 200 years of life!
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WHY NOT SYNTHETIC??
A synthetic mat is any yoga mat that contains TPE, PVC, PER, EVA or micro-fiber. Essentially, any mat you come across today - and they all have major setbacks.
To start off, these mats are notorious for loosing their grip as soon as things get a little hot and heavy (talk about a drag). Whether it's hot yoga or sweat-inducing workouts, they just don't work!
Synthetic mats also have odours that accompany their chemical base and only seems to get worse with use. Even with proper sanitizing, that nasty chemical smell rarely goes away and will often be accompanied by a grimy feel - gross!
In addition, these mats peel easily. Due to the low quality material, the mat will often rip or tear with time, leading to larger tears and little foam pieces scattering your living room.
And last but not least, these mats almost always contain phthalates,vinyl chloride, plasticisers, ethylene-vinyl acetate and other chemicals. Even the thermoplastic elastomer mats which are deemed biodegradable are usually a mix of plastic, a little rubber and other nondescript substances that don't have to be disclosed. All these chemicals and plastics make biodegradation incredibly difficult. The bottom line? You never know what's in a synthetic mat.
EVEN MORE REASONS TO CHOOSE US!
You can flow through your practice on a genYOUine mat with a clear conscience, knowing that everything going into your mat is done with the earth in mind!
Our promise is to use ZERO plastics in our packaging to reduce non-recyclable waste. The printing on our mats is done with water-based ink, meaning it doesn't contain the PVC or phthalates that traditional ink does. Nor does it require the specialized and harmful chemicals needed for clean-up. Don't be fooled though - water based ink is no quitter and will keep your print just as long as traditional ink!
The base of our mats is sourced from 100% natural tree rubber, ensuring good quality, no slipping, and less waste. It is bonded to the cork with high temperatures, meaning no harmful chemical glues either!
MARIAH PILLING
Founder & Operator
Mariah Pilling is currently a medical student at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine. Throughout her life, she has been an outdoor enthusiast, and through her travels has seen the need for innovative business that puts the earth first. After becoming a certified yoga instructor in India, she decided to bring North American practice the environmentally-friendly and slip-opposed genius of cork.