Gaiam BeneFit Premium Yoga Mat

This yoga mat is an option for those who are either allergic to latex or want a healthier alternative to the PVC sticky yoga mats. Most of the generic yoga mats you see in a typical department store are made with the use of phthalates, a group of chemical compounds that softens hard plastic. High doses of phthalates in rats have been linked to liver, kidney and lung damage and are causing a controversy over their use in yoga mats as an unnecessary health risk. The BeneFit Premium yoga mat is made from a patented phthalate-free and latex-free material similar to natural rubber, so along with the quality and health benefits, it also satisfies the environmentally-friendly practitioners of yoga. It won the editor's pick on Compare The Brand's Yoga Mat Comparison and was found to be twice as thick as any other mat reviewed.