By PJ 25 Jul, 2023
Trying new things can be hard. Especially if we are not accustomed to stepping outside of our comfort zone regularly. Therefore, if you have never attended a yoga studio before, it might feel nerve wracking. You may even find yourself thinking some of the following…
By PJ 05 Jun, 2023
What is something that all humans have in common? After decades of interviewing a range of individuals from Barack Obama to Beyonce to top entrepreneur's and everyday folk, Oprah Winfrey shared that at the end of each interview, her guest would turn to her and quietly ask ‘Was that OK?’ It was through these moments that she discovered that most of us are asking the following questions as we move through life:
By PJ 27 Feb, 2023
I'm all too familiar with staying in a 'safe space' of what is familiar or comfortable but I've learnt over the years that I need to become comfortable with discomfort (although this is a daily practice). Particularly when it comes to trying new things. We might stay in our comfort zone for many reasons: fear of looking silly, fear of failure, fear of judgement, fear of truly being seen, fear of not living in the box that we have put ourselves in, or that others have put us in (how obedient of us!) The list goes on. I've discovered however, that once we courageously push through a fear, it's amazing how the force of that fear loses momentum and we realise that the worst part of the experience was fear itself. Often the outcome is a lot more underwhelming than we might have thought! You might ask yourself, Why on earth was I so afraid? The good news is, for that bravery we are usually rewarded in some way. Whether its learning a new skill, building confidence in a certain area, making a new connection, gaining respect for ourselves or from others, or even learning a lesson if things don't go the way we had hoped. Most importantly we strengthen our courage 'muscle' 💪
Logo
PJ • Feb 15, 2024

Complete Unity Yoga - Sustainable Non Slip Jute Yoga Mat

When it comes to yoga mats, I’m fairly particular and if you are a seasoned yogi, you might be too. This stems from the fact that I’ve tried many different types over the years and some have proven to be more functional than others. A particular gripe of mine, is when a yoga mat causes your body to slip or slide around during a practice. There is nothing worse than trying to find balance and stability whilst your feet or hands are sliding around during downward dog or warrior 2! I decided to give the Sustainable Non-Slip Jute Mat a go to see if it lived up to its promise.


Summary

For me, the main pros of this mat are the incredible grip, the sustainable materials used, and the aesthetically pleasing design. It’s a mat that can be used across all forms of yoga, made by a company that has the planet and its people in mind. 

Appearance Quality Comfort Value for £
9/10 9/10 8/10 9/10
Overall 8.75/10


Pros

  • Outstanding grip 
  • Sustainable materials
  • Zero-waste manufacturing process
  • Attractive colours/design

Cons

  • A little heavier than standard PVC mats
  • Has a rubber fragrance for those sensitive to this 

Material

Made from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber & natural jute fibres which makes this an eco-friendly and vegan mat. 


In yoga we practice ‘Ahimsa’ (non violence) and Complete Unity Yoga have put this into action having created a mat made from sustainable materials that is produced using a zero-waste manufacturing process. This mat is plastic-free, PU-free, BPA-free, TPE-free, PVC-free and free from microfibre.


I also appreciated that the mat was delivered to me wrapped in a paper sleeve, with no plastic in sight.


Appearance

It has rounded corners and a clean, minimalistic appearance. The jute fibres in the rubber give the mat a textured, earthy feel which provides a nice connection to nature which feels very grounding. 


Dimensions

Size: 61cm wide x 183cm long

Thickness: 4mm (more below)


Grip

Rubber mats are known for providing great grip and this mat is no exception. 


I’ve owned this mat for a couple of months of solid practice now and I can confirm that it is GRIPPY. The fact that your body stays firmly in place whilst in a pose, to me is the biggest pro of this product. Some mats claim to be non-slip but don’t really do the job, and you will still find yourself slooowly sliding, particularly when your body heats up and your practice gets a little sweatier. Luckily that isn't the case with this one.

Thickness

It's 4mm, which is a fairly standard thickness for a yoga mat which allows you to use it across different forms of yoga. For most people this thickness will work well, and I’ve found it to be very comfortable. If you have extra sensitive joints or intend to practice purely restorative yoga, you might prefer a more padded and softer mat. Complete Unity Yoga also make a mat with a 2mm thickness that is extra lightweight and designed with travel in mind which is awesome. 


Weight

Approx 2.3kg. 

I haven’t found it to be overly heavy, however if you are used to the standard PVC mats then you might initially notice that this is a bit weightier than those. 


Colours/Patterns

Currently comes in 3 colours: Space Black (pictured), Forest Green and Natural/White.


What type of yoga is this best for?

It’s suitable for all types of yoga from Hatha to Vinyasa to Yin Yoga and everything in between. It’s also a mat that can stand up to warmer temperatures such as your hot yoga classes. 

Cleaning it

Complete Unity Yoga recommend wiping the mat with a damp cloth after class, although this is not essential. It is also recommended from time to time, to wipe the mat with a gentle natural diluted vinegar warm water solution which will help to remove excess or a build up of grime and oils etc.


I haven’t tried cleaning my mat yet, however I appreciate that they have provided info on how to do so when the time comes.


Durability

So far, this mat has proven to be very durable and it is still in great condition - the rubber/jute material feels robust. 

Price

£79


Whilst this isn’t the lowest cost mat on the market, it’s a fair price if you are shopping for a quality mat that will last a substantial amount of time and it’s comparable to other high quality mats on the market. For those new to yoga, whilst you can pick up a PVC mat for much less, you will usually find that these start to break down quickly and don’t have the same longevity which in turn isn’t great for your pocket or the environment. 

Conclusion

Overall I think the Sustainable Non-Slip Jute Yoga Mat is a great all-rounder with fab grip. It also feels good on your conscience using a mat that is made from sustainable materials which fits with the ethos of do no harm. 


NB: This mat was kindly gifted to me from Complete Unity yoga. This does not affect the ratings or content of my review as authenticity is at the heart of why this blog was created.


If you were interested in purchasing this mat you can use the code: YCR15 for 15% OFF Sitewide (excluding sale items and not valid in conjunction with other offers).

More inspiration

By PJ 25 Jul, 2023
Trying new things can be hard. Especially if we are not accustomed to stepping outside of our comfort zone regularly. Therefore, if you have never attended a yoga studio before, it might feel nerve wracking. You may even find yourself thinking some of the following…
By PJ 05 Jun, 2023
What is something that all humans have in common? After decades of interviewing a range of individuals from Barack Obama to Beyonce to top entrepreneur's and everyday folk, Oprah Winfrey shared that at the end of each interview, her guest would turn to her and quietly ask ‘Was that OK?’ It was through these moments that she discovered that most of us are asking the following questions as we move through life:
By PJ 27 Feb, 2023
I'm all too familiar with staying in a 'safe space' of what is familiar or comfortable but I've learnt over the years that I need to become comfortable with discomfort (although this is a daily practice). Particularly when it comes to trying new things. We might stay in our comfort zone for many reasons: fear of looking silly, fear of failure, fear of judgement, fear of truly being seen, fear of not living in the box that we have put ourselves in, or that others have put us in (how obedient of us!) The list goes on. I've discovered however, that once we courageously push through a fear, it's amazing how the force of that fear loses momentum and we realise that the worst part of the experience was fear itself. Often the outcome is a lot more underwhelming than we might have thought! You might ask yourself, Why on earth was I so afraid? The good news is, for that bravery we are usually rewarded in some way. Whether its learning a new skill, building confidence in a certain area, making a new connection, gaining respect for ourselves or from others, or even learning a lesson if things don't go the way we had hoped. Most importantly we strengthen our courage 'muscle' 💪
Share by: