THE YOGA MAT & EARTH DAY 2025
Earth Day (April 22, 2025) is now the most widely watched environmental event in the world , mobilizing billions of people in more than 190 countries. This year, the theme of the Day is biodiversity and its preservation.
So how could yoga mat have an essential link with the balance of Life on Earth if it is not that it is only an accessory placed on earth and that it is the sacred space where we anchor ourselves, breathe, listen, respect.
It invites us to slow down in a frenetic mode, to reconnect with our breath, with our body, and therefore with the profound nature of life on Earth, a true tool of internal ecology, a prerequisite for any external ecology .
Written by TINA - April 2025
Collapsible content
Reading time
About 10 minutes
WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER
• Where Earth Day came from and why it still resonates in 2025
• How does the choice of your yoga mat can affect the global ecological balance
• Why materials like cork or natural rubber are more than just a detail
• How your rug reflects your values …and your impact on the planet
• What “practicing mindfully” really means today
• How Yogaterrae is committed to a sustainable practice aligned with climate issues
"Let's take a look"!
APRIL 22, 1970: BIRTH OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT FROM AMERICAN CAMPUSES
Earth Day was born in the United States, in a context of growing environmental tensions. The initiative goes back to Gaylord Nelson (1916 - 2005), senator from Wisconsin, who, inspired by the student demonstrations against the Vietnam War, had the idea of mobilizing young people around a cause: that of the environment. He was supported by Denis Hayes , then a young activist and graduate of Harvard , who would become national coordinator of this historic day.
The date of April 22, 1970, was not chosen at random. Positioned between spring break and exams, it allowed for the maximum number of students to gather on campus. At Harvard , Stanford , Berkeley , and more than 1,500 universities, students organized conferences, sit-ins, and symbolic demonstrations. On that day, 20 million Americans mobilized in the streets, schools, and parks to denounce industrial pollution, the disappearance of species, and the urgent need for action.
The success was such that it triggered an unprecedented political wave: in the months that followed, the United States created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and adopted several major laws on air, water and nature protection. But beyond American borders, this student movement has evolved into a universal call for ecological responsibility .
Today, more than a billion people celebrate April 22nd every year in over 190 countries . Earth Day has become the most widely followed environmental event in the world , with collective actions, government commitments, and individual awareness. And in 2025, as the preservation of biodiversity becomes the watchword, this global event reminds us that everything starts with a choice, however simple, like that of an ethical yoga mat .
HOW YOUR CHOICE OF YOGA MAT CAN AFFECT THE GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL BALANCE
The yoga mat is often seen as a mere accessory. Yet, it embodies a true interface between our bodies and the Earth. Every material, every manufacturing process, every consumer choice behind it yoga mat acts as an extension of our beliefs... or our forgetfulness. Faced with the climate emergency, opting for an ethical and ecological yoga mat is not trivial: it is an act of coherence between what we practice on the yoga mat — consciousness, respect for life, unity — and what we defend in the real world.
A non-recyclable, petroleum-based PVC mat can take centuries to degrade and leave behind a toxic footprint. Conversely, a yoga mat made from natural rubber , regenerative cork , or certified chemical-free materials protects not only your health, but also that of forests, soils, and oceans. From extraction to distribution, every step of an environmentally friendly product limits CO₂ emissions, preserves biodiversity, and promotes a circular economy.
In a world where more than 30 million yoga mat are produced each year, the choice of sustainable materials becomes a lever for action. It is no longer just a question of practicing well, but of practicing correctly , with awareness of our interdependence with the planet.
Because every synthetic carpet made from non-renewable resources fuels deforestation, water pollution, and ecosystem collapse. Conversely, choosing a yoga mat respectful of the environment means choosing to preserve biodiversity , by supporting sustainable sectors which protect trees, soils, pollinating insects, invisible micro-organisms and all living things on which the balance of the Earth depends.
In this way, yoga mat becomes a gesture of support for life itself —a way of honoring, through our practice, the fragile and sacred fabric of global biodiversity.
WHY MATERIALS LIKE CORK OR NATURAL RUBBER ARE MORE THAN A DETAIL
Often perceived as a simple aesthetic or technical choice, the materials of your yoga mat actually embody a true philosophy of practice . Cork and natural rubber are not only comfortable and durable: they come from renewable resources , harvested without harming trees, and are part of a production cycle with low environmental impact .
Natural rubber , for example, comes from the latex extracted from the rubber tree. This tree can be "tapped" for years without being cut down, allowing for a smooth and continuous harvest.
Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak, which regenerates naturally after each harvest. These materials are biodegradable , non-toxic and avoid the use of plastics, PVC or TPE, which are omnipresent in conventional carpets.
But beyond ecology, these materials interact with the body : they offer natural grip, a living texture, thermal breathing that follows your movements. Cork is naturally antibacterial , ideal for intensive practices, while natural rubber ensures stability and anchoring , even when sweating.
Making this choice means combining awareness of the gesture and respect for living things , by supporting sustainable agricultural sectors and ethical production methods. A strong gesture, which makes your mat an ally for the Earth as much as for your practice .
By choosing natural materials like cork or rubber from sustainably managed forests, you are directly preserving unique ecosystems , home to thousands of plant and animal species. The cork oak, for example, is home to a microcosm of rare Mediterranean biodiversity, while responsible rubber tree plantations promote shade, moisture, and the regeneration of tropical soils. Choosing a rug that respects these cycles means rejecting deforestation, plastic, and toxic substances —the main threats to today's biodiversity.
Because every practice begins on a mat , but its consequences extend far beyond. What if practicing yoga became an act of protecting Life in all its forms?
HOW YOUR YOGA MAT REFLECTS YOUR VALUES... AND YOUR IMPACT ON THE PLANET'S BIODIVERSITY
THE yoga mat is not just a physical support: it embodies an inner posture , a commitment to oneself… and to the world. The choice of a mat is often guided by criteria of comfort or style. But in a world in search of meaning, this choice also becomes a symbolic gesture . By favoring natural, biodegradable, non-toxic materials, from sustainable sources, you affirm a certain vision of the practice: more conscious, more aligned with the founding principles of yoga – ahimsa (non-violence), saucha (purity), aparigraha (sobriety).
What you buy has an impact: on the resources extracted, on working conditions, on the durability of the product, on the waste you leave behind. Every cheap PVC or synthetic foam mat, every unnecessary transport, every colored solvent-based plastic is a dissonance between the yogi's intention and his act of purchase .
Choose one yoga mat Ethics means putting the link between individual practice and collective responsibility back at the heart of one's discipline. It means making the carpet a faithful mirror of one's deepest values, an extension of oneself that respects others – whether human, animal, or plant.
Because ultimately, practicing consciously begins with consuming consciously . And if your yoga mat was your first environmental commitment?
WHAT "MINDFUL PRACTICE" REALLY MEANS TODAY
In a world driven by speed, notifications, and urgency, practicing yoga mindfully is no longer a luxury: it's an act of inner resistance . But what does this "consciousness" that yoga teachings have spoken about for millennia actually mean? It's not just about paying attention to your breathing or maintaining your balance in an asana. It's about aligning your actions, thoughts, and daily choices with a deep intention of coherence and respect for all living things.
What you buy has an impact: on the resources extracted, on working conditions, on the durability of the product, on the waste you leave behind. Every cheap PVC or synthetic foam mat, every unnecessary transport, every colored solvent-based plastic is a dissonance between the yogi's intention and his act of purchase .
Choose one yoga mat ethics means putting the link between individual practice and collective responsibility back at the heart of its discipline. It means doing yoga mat a faithful mirror of one's deepest values, an extension of oneself that respects others – whether human, animal, or plant.
Consciousness does not stop at the borders of the yoga mat . It extends to the way we greet the earth in Tadasana, how we breathe in harmony with the world, how we act – even silently – for a more balanced ecosystem. Practicing consciously today means making yoga a living ecology , embodied in every detail: a choice of yoga mat , a look at nature, a breath shared with the universe.
It is this collective and individual consciousness, woven posture after posture, which gives yoga its full scope: that of a respectful, sustainable, and profoundly human art of living.
This is what Yogaterrae stands for : a vision of yoga that doesn't stop at posture, but embraces a more respectful, more grounded, more sustainable way of life.
HOW YOGATERRAE IS COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE ALIGNED WITH GLOBAL CLIMATE ISSUES
At Yogaterrae, we believe that each posture begins well before it unfolds its yoga mat It begins with a choice. A commitment. A vision of the world. Since our inception, we have bet that a yoga product could—and should—reflect much more than its simple utility.
That's why we joined the international 1% for the Planet movement several years ago, donating 1% of our turnover each year to environmental associations. Because supporting the Earth isn't a slogan: it's a concrete responsibility. Through this initiative, we actively participate in the protection of ecosystems, reforestation, the preservation of biodiversity, and environmental education.
But our commitment goes beyond financial contributions. It's reflected in our carefully chosen materials —natural rubber, untreated cork, and non-toxic inks. In the design of our products, which are built to last, be repairable, transportable, and recyclable. In our choice to collaborate with ethical partners who respect both people and nature. And in our way of communicating: with transparency, simplicity, and inspiration.
Every Yogaterrae yoga mat is the result of this desire to offer a practice aligned with the values of yoga : respect for life, the search for harmony, non-violence, awareness of breath and the cycles of nature. By supporting us, our customers aren't just choosing a beautiful accessory. They're choosing an approach. An intention. A combination of personal well-being and collective action.
During this Earth Day week, we invite you to see your yoga mat as a symbol and a friend : that of a commitment to a gentler, more balanced, more vibrant world.
Thank you TINA for this post
Thank you for being part of this moving consciousness. Each yoga mat unfolded is a step towards a more respectful, more aligned, more alive world .
TINA's Bio
-
TINA
1994, Reunion Island & Mauritius, a Life driven by the Indian Ocean and Yoga
Since childhood, this intrepid traveler has traveled the globe, leaving her footprints on beaches around the world.Passionate about surfing, scuba diving and sailing, she has made the oceans her playground and source of inspiration.
The freedom of the waves, the serenity of the ocean depths and the wind in his sails have punctuated his journey, always guided by a quest for connection with nature.
It was through her explorations that yoga became more than a practice for her – it was a way of life.
Between early morning surf sessions and meditative sunsets, she found in yoga a perfect balance of strength, flow and self-awareness.
Today, she combines her passion for water sports with teaching yoga and is part of the Yogaterrae team, here in France, in the South West and often remotely :)
This adventurer is a true source of inspiration for anyone who aspires to live in harmony with their body and nature.
Through her stories of incredible experiences, she invites everyone to open up to a world where every wave, every breath and every posture is a celebration of life.
