While you can use an exercise mat for yoga, there are various reasons why this isn’t the best choice. In many cases, exercise mats are specifically designed for high impact exercises, meaning that they need to be especially thick. While eco yoga mats are also cushioned, they do not need to be as thick. More important for a yoga mat is stability; your sustainable yoga mat needs to be non-slip so it won’t move around easily. Another consideration is material. Both standard yoga and exercise mats are often made from PVC, which is not the best option if you’re looking for an eco friendly yoga mat. Instead, we would recommend a yoga mat made from sustainably sourced natural material, such as rubber or cork.