Benefits of Organic Yoga Clothing, Part 2

What to look for when you buy organic yoga wear:

(Continued from Organic Yoga Clothing: Part 1.)

Be cautious when buying organic yoga apparel. The environmental bandwagon is becoming crowded with companies of all sizes, some unscrupulous, trying to cash in. Carefully examine labels to make sure that items include a higher percentage of organic material over synthetic. (Most items, particularly yoga clothing, will contain a small percentage of Lycra or spandex to retain stretch. But if the label reads 90% synthetic / 10% organic, put the item down and keep looking— assuming you’re committed to going organic.)  Browse affordable organic yoga apparel.

Like other organic products, organic clothing must be certified by a third party such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Dutch organization SKAL which certifies agricultural products in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. Many companies will include the name of the certifying entity on the label as well.

Choosing organic yoga wear is 1 small step towards the greater good.

Going organic seems like the perfect solution for helping yourself and the environment; but unfortunately it’s not. Africa, China, Peru and Turkey currently grow more organic cotton than the United States. Items must be shipped around the world to a retailer near you, packaged in a cardboard box and mailed again, leaving a sizable carbon footprint. Organic yoga clothing also costs more—-typically 10 to 15% higher than conventionally-produced.

But don’t dismiss organic yoga clothes! Consider how your investment benefits the environment, the global economy, the fight for fair wages, your own health and more. Improvements on all fronts can happen through the collective efforts of many.

Related Posts

• Benefits of Organic Yoga Clothing, Part 1 (1)