<p>I haven’t posted in ages…One kid is out of college already, the other one a senior. Mostly I’ve been busy working, visiting them, having some fun. One way I am coping with the empty nest is by doing a lot of yoga. It’s a new thing for me in middle age and I just love it. So my kid who’s graduated has a real job and one of his Christmas presents to me is going to be a nice, environmentally friendly yoga mat rather than the thin PVC one I am currently using. I’m looking for advice on which one to get. Shopping on the Net offers lots of choices but I’d like to hear from real people, since I haven’t been able to try many mats in person. </p>
<p>I tried the new Manduka eKo 5 mm and liked it but it seems a bit unwieldy to lug around. The Hugger Mugger Earth Elements mat is lighter and I liked it when I tried it, but someone in my studio showed me how hers already has a huge gash in it and I am not sure how comfortable the mat is. The Manduka PurpleLite looks like a good one based on Amazon reviews but I haven’t been able to try one and it has some PVC in it, although it’s certified as eco-friendly by an EU body. I haven’t been able to try the Jade Harmony either but have read that it used to be fragile and has been improved. The Gaiam Eco-friendly is a possibility but I haven’t been able to try one. The one I keep reading about as really comfortable is the Hugger Mugger Tapas Ultra – and it’s pretty! – but it’s made out of PVC. </p>
<p>Can anyone comment, or recommend a yoga mat that’s comfortable, “green,” grippy, and not too super heavy to carry around? I practice vinyasa.</p>